Grade 6 - History

The Vikings

The etymology of the word Viking is uncertain. There are many theories about its
origins. The Old Norse word víkingr usually meant “pirate” or “raider.”

It was in use from the 12th to the 14th century, and it was likely derived from an earlier
Old Scandinavian word contemporary to the Vikings themselves.

The Vikings were raiders, pirates, traders, explorers, and colonisers during the 9th
to 11th century. They often travelled by sea from Scandinavia and took control of
areas of Europe and beyond.

Viking, member of the Scandinavian seafaring warriors who raided and colonised
wide areas of Europe from the 9th to the 11th century and whose disruptive influence
profoundly affected European history.

The Vikings' original religion was the pagan and polytheistic Old Norse religion,
which can be traced back to about 500 BCE in what is now Denmark. As Christianity
took hold in Scandinavia, beginning in the 8th century CE, its followers dwindled in
numbers. However, this older tradition continued Viking culture.

The stereotype of Viking helmets having horns goes back to costuming in 19th-century
opera. In reality, horned helmets would have been impractical during combat. They may
have been worn only for ceremonial purposes in pre-Viking times. The main style of
actual helmets was the spangenhelm, consisting of several pieces of iron riveted
together.

Spangenhelm

Viking men would normally wear a woollen overtunic, linen under tunic, either tight or
baggy trousers without pockets, woollen leg wrappings, and waterproof leather shoes.
Vikings’ typical wartime apparel included the spangenhelm helmet and lamellar or
leather armour or chain mail.
Viking society was organised into three classes: karls, who were freemen and
landowners; jarls, who were wealthy nobles tasked with maintaining the well being of
their subjects; and thralls, who were either slaves or bondsmen, the latter having to
work for other men until they could pay their debts.

Viking women were able to own property and divorce and they often ran their family's
finances and farms in their husbands' absence. There are also a few records of
women dressed like men learning to use swords and fighting—so-called
“shieldmaidens,” the most famous of whom was Lagertha, the wife of Ragnar
Lothbrok.

The Vikings originated from the area that became modern-day Denmark, Sweden, and
Norway. They settled in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Iceland, Greenland, North
America, and parts of the European mainland, among other places.

The impact of Viking raids on Europe included a greater Scandinavian influence on

language in conquered areas. For example, in English the weekdays Thursday and
Friday are named after the Nordic deities Thor and Frigg, also called Freyja. The Viking
raids also left a literary legacy of sagas as well as an imprint on the DNA of local
populations.

How Were Viking Chiefs Selected?

In Viking society, the people were led by strong and respected leaders called chiefs.
These chiefs were not just chosen because they were the sons of previous chiefs; they
had to earn the respect of their community. Here’s how Viking chiefs were usually
selected:

1. Family Lineage: Often, the son of a chief had a good chance of becoming the
next chief, but it wasn’t automatic. The community had to agree that he was fit to
lead.
2. Strength and Skill: Vikings admired bravery and skill in battle. A chief needed to
be a strong warrior who could lead his people during raids and protect them in
times of danger.
3. Wealth: A wealthy person had more power because they could share their riches
with their followers which helped them gain loyalty and respect.
4. Community Support: Viking men would gather at meetings called things to
discuss important matters. At these meetings, they could vote on who should be
their leader. The people’s opinion mattered a lot in choosing a chief.

Summary - The Vikings

The Vikings came from Scandinavia, which includes the countries of Norway,
Sweden, and Denmark. Over 1000 years ago, the Vikings started exploring and
raiding different countries across the world. They were known as fierce warriors and
excellent sailors. In some places, the Vikings chose to settle and build villages and
farms, while in others, they raided and took treasures back to their homeland.
The Vikings were most powerful between 700 and 1100 CE. They were also called
Norsemen, meaning "people from the North."

Why Did the Vikings Explore?

By the end of the 8th century CE, Scandinavia became overcrowded, and there was
not enough good farmland for everyone. The eldest son usually inherited the family
land, so younger sons had to find new places to live or steal wealth. This led them to
explore other countries.

Raiding, Trading, and Exploring

The Vikings travelled long distances in their boats. Some of their trips involved violent
raids where they attacked towns and villages near coasts and rivers. They stole
valuable items such as gold, jewels, books, food, and clothes.

The Vikings were more than just warriors. They were skilled fishermen, farmers, and
craftspeople. They made beautiful jewellery, furniture, and metalwork. Viking
women were skilled weavers who produced fine cloth. They also traded their goods
throughout Europe and the Middle East.

The Vikings explored and settled in places like Britain, France, Iceland, and
Greenland. They were the first Europeans to reach North America around 1000 CE,
nearly 500 years before other Europeans did!

This combination of raiding, trading, and exploring made the Vikings famous
throughout history.

Viking Society

Viking Leaders:

● In early Viking times, each town or village had a leader called a chief.
● Chiefs controlled land and had an army. Some chiefs became rich and
powerful by gaining more land.
● By 1000 CE, each of the Viking countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark) had one
king ruling the entire country.

Kings and Succession:

● When a king died, all his sons had an equal right to the throne, leading to
fights within royal families.
● Example: King Eric of Norway killed two brothers to rule in 930 CE.

Viking Social Classes:

● Jarls: Rich and powerful local chiefs, owning lots of land and living in large
houses. They sometimes challenged the king.
● Karls: The middle class, which included farmers, merchants, and craftspeople.
They traded and went on raids.
● Thralls: Slaves captured in war or bought by traders. Male thralls worked in
fields and mended houses, while female thralls cooked and wove cloth.
Viking Women:

● Viking women had more rights than in other ancient cultures.

● They could own property, run businesses, inherit land, and divorce their
husbands.
● When the men went on raids, women managed the farms.

Viking Children:

● Viking children did not go to school. They helped their parents with cooking,
weaving or farm work.
● By age 15 or 16, they were considered adults.

The Thing:

● Each chief had a council of karls that met at a Thing.

● At a Thing, they discussed laws, settled disputes, and decided punishments
for criminals.
● Punishments included fines, being outlawed, or execution.

Farming:

● Vikings farmed oats, barley, wheat, and vegetables like carrots, onions, and
cabbages.
● They raised sheep, goats, cattle, and chickens.
● Due to poor farmland and overcrowding, some Vikings moved to new lands
for better farms.

Fishing and Hunting:

● Vikings fished for cod, herring, salmon, and trout. They also hunted animals
like seals, deer, wolves, and bears.
● They used the meat and fur for food, clothing, and trade.

Viking Merchants:

● Viking traders travelled great distances, trading goods like honey, timber,
iron, weapons, fur, fish, and ivory.
● They exported amber, a yellow-orange stone and travelled to places like
Britain, Russia, Constantinople, and Baghdad.
● Vikings traded for wheat, cloth, silver, jewellery, spices, and silks.
 Vikings: Religion, Life, and Achievements

Religion and Myths

● The Vikings believed in many gods, like Odin, Thor, and Freyja.
● They thought brave warriors would go to Valhalla, a special place where heroes
prepared for a big battle at the end of time, called Ragnarök.
● They also believed in Yggdrasil, a giant tree that connected different worlds, like
Asgard (home of the gods) and Midgard (home of humans).

Why Did Vikings Explore and Raid?

● Only the oldest sons inherited family land, so younger ones had to find wealth
by trading, raiding, or settling new places.
● Churches and monasteries were easy targets because they had gold and
treasures but little protection.
● Power struggles in Scandinavia made some Vikings leave their homes and
explore new lands instead of following powerful rulers.
Viking Society and Roles

● Men fought in battles, farmed, or traded, while women managed farms and
households when men were away.
● Women had some rights, like owning property, and it was shameful to harm a
woman.
● Vikings made their own clothes, tools, and furniture, and both men and women
loved wearing jewellery like rings, bracelets, and brooches.

Vikings and Christianity

● Over time, Vikings became Christians for trade and political reasons.
● Some rulers, like King Olaf Tryggvason of Norway, used force to spread
Christianity.
● In other places, like Sweden, the change to Christianity happened slowly, and
people kept some old traditions along with the new ones.

Viking Achievements and Legacy

● The Vikings were great sailors and shipbuilders. They made longships that
could sail across the ocean and along rivers.
● They explored Iceland, Greenland, and even parts of North America, which
they called Vinland.
● The Vikings were skilled craft workers, making tools, jewellery, clothes, and
furniture.
● Vikings loved stories, passing down exciting tales called sagas about heroes
and adventures.

Summary - Grade 6

Vikings at Home

● Environment:
○ Lived in harsh winters with long, dark, and cold conditions.
○ Needed well-built homes to protect people and animals.
● Viking Villages and Towns:
○ Most lived in small villages near farms, others in trading towns by the
coast.
○ Harbors were essential for trading; goods and animals were loaded and
unloaded there.
○ Craftspeople created items like rings, pots, belts, shoes, swords, and
other useful tools.
● Viking Homes:
 ○ Houses were long and rectangular, mostly made of wood or stone
(where trees were scarce).
○ Turf-covered roofs kept out the cold.
○ Large families (parents, children, grandparents, aunts, and uncles) lived
together under one roof.

Travel and Navigation

● Skilled sailors: Vikings travelled across Europe and beyond for trade and
settlement.
● Longboats:
○ Made from planks of wood, held together with pegs and nails.
○ Boats were coated with tar for waterproofing.
○ Worked well in both deep and shallow waters.
● Navigation Methods:
○ Used landmarks, the Sun, and stars to guide them.
○ Carried ravens on boats to help locate land.
○ Relied on wind and wave patterns and passed navigation skills through
generations.

Achievements of the Vikings

● Known as pirates and raiders but also traders and settlers.

● Craftsmanship:
○ Made boats, furniture, toys, tools, and locks.
○ Created jewellery from bone, bronze, silver, or gold, depending on
wealth.
○ Used leather for shoes and belts.
● Games and Sports:
○ Enjoyed chess, dice, spear-throwing, wrestling, and archery.
○ Loved fishing, swimming, and ice-skating in winter.
○ Celebrated three major festivals a year – summer, harvest, and winter.

Storytelling and Writing

● Sagas:
 ○ Passed on stories through oral tradition (from parents to children).
● Writing:
○ Used metal tools to carve letters and pictures into stone, wood, and
bone.
○ Had a simple alphabet to record events and label objects.
● Literacy:
○ Few Vikings could read or write, and they left few written records.