The Vikings, in their modern sense, are formidable and wild Scandinavian warriors who raided other countries and live only in robbery and robbery. This is only partially true, because the Vikings, like other ancient peoples, have their own rich history, religion and traditions.
The origins
The origin of the word "Viking" is not known for certain. There are several versions of its decryption. According to one of them, the name "Viking" was associated with a settlement in southeastern Norway (Viken) and literally translated as "a man from Vick".
The Swedish scientist F. Askeberg suggested that the word “Viking” was based on the verb vikja - “turn” or “deviate”. According to his theory - this is a man who left his homeland and sailed on a long trip for prey, in fact - a sea pirate.
There is still a hypothesis that "Viking" means "sailing in the sea." Translated from the ancient Norman language, “wik” means “fiord” or “bay”. Therefore, many historians interpret the word "Viking" as "a man from the bay."
It is often thought that Scandinavian and Viking are one and the same concept. This is not true; in the first case, membership in a certain nationality is implied, and in the second, to the occupation and way of life.
It is very difficult to attribute the Vikings to any particular ethnic group and place of residence. These warriors often settled on the lands they seized, used local goods and were imbued with the culture of these places.
People called the Vikings in different ways: Danes, Normans, Vikings, Russ.
In the VIII - XI centuries, they made sea raids from Vinland to North Africa.
The Vikings were tribes living in the territory of modern countries: Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
Hunger, poverty and overpopulation of their territories pushed them to robbery. In addition, influential clans constantly quarreled with each other, which also had a bad effect on the general standard of living. All this forced most of the male population to go to foreign lands in search of a better life.
Weakly fortified European cities were easy prey for the Vikings, and river robbery on the way to large settlements was a necessary thing to replenish supplies on the ship (drakarr).
It is worth recalling that in the Middle Ages robbery raids on neighboring states were quite a common way to fill their own treasury, so many "chilling" stories about the Viking's natural brutality are greatly exaggerated.
The main viking raids
One of the first recorded attacks of the Vikings in writing was their landing in 793 A.D. on the island of Lindisfarne in Northumbria (Anglo-Saxon state). They destroyed and looted the monastery of St. Cuthbert.
At first, the Vikings quickly attacked, robbed, returned with their booty to their ships and sailed away. But over time, their raids became more widespread.
A major victory for the Danish Vikings was the capture of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and the occupation of the north and west of England.
Konung Ragnar Lodbrok began the conquest of England in order to establish his own settlement on the captured fertile lands. He achieved certain successes, but did not finally realize his plans.
In 866, his sons gathered a huge army and brought it to the shores of England. In Christian annals, it is referred to as the "Great Army of the Gentiles."
In the years 867 - 871, the sons of the already late Ragnar Lodbroka executed the kings of Northumbria and East Anglia with particular cruelty and divided their lands among themselves.
Alfred the Great - the king of Wessex was forced to conclude an official peace treaty with the Vikings and legitimize their possessions in Britain. The city of Yorvik became the English capital of the Vikings.
The next great Viking raid on Britain was the conquest of England in 1013 by the soldiers of Sven Viloborodogo.
The English throne was returned only in 1042 thanks to Edward the Confessor, representing the Wessex dynasty.
The last Viking to claim English lands was Sven Estridsen. In 1069, he gathered a huge fleet and, having arrived on the British shores, easily captured York. However, having met the army of Wilhelm, he chose to abandon the bloody massacre, save the people and, having taken a large purchase, return to Denmark.
In addition to England, the Vikings attacked Ireland, Thrace, the Baltic states.
Their first landing in Ireland was in 795. With the Vikings connected the foundation of Dublin, which then for two hundred years was a "barbarian city."
In addition, around 900, the Vikings captured and settled in the Faroe, Shetland, Orkney and Hebrides.
The end of the further capture of Ireland was laid in 1014 by the Battle of Clontarf.
The Vikings had a special relationship with Thrace. During the reign of Charlemagne and Louis the Pious, the empire was very well protected from raids from the north.
It is noteworthy that some kungs went to serve with the Thracian kings in order to protect them from the raids of their fellow tribesmen. For this, the rulers generously rewarded them.
However, the ever-expanding feudal fragmentation began to interfere with the full protection of the country from Viking raids. Sometimes the barbarians in their raids reached the walls of Paris.
In order to avoid great bloodshed, King Charles the rustic in 911 gave the north of France to the leader Rollon. This land became known as Normandy. Thanks to the competent policy of Rollon, the raids of the northerners soon ceased, and the rest of the Vikings remained to live among the civilian population.
Rollon ruled for a long time, it is from him that William the Conqueror takes his origin.
The Vikings stopped their predatory campaigns in the first half of the 11th century. This was due to the general reduction of the Scandinavian population, the spread of Christianity and the advent of the feudal system to replace the clan.
There is a theory that the Vikings played a key role in the formation of Ancient Russia.
Some historians are of the opinion that Rurik belonged to the Scandinavians. And although the name Rurik is consonant with the Norman Rerek, it truly cannot be argued that this version is true.
Viking life
The Vikings lived in large family communities. Their houses were simple, built of beams or wicker vines, they were covered with clay on top.
Wealthy Vikings lived in rectangular wooden houses whose roofs were covered with peat. In the middle of the large room, a hearth was set up, near which they prepared food, ate, and often the household slept.
In large houses, powerful wooden poles were installed along the walls to maintain the roof. In the rooms so fenced off, they made bedrooms.
The Vikings kept farms, engaged in agriculture and craftsmanship.
Peasants and farmers wore long shirts and baggy pants, stockings and rectangular cloaks.
In the wardrobe of the Vikings from the upper class were long pants and capes of bright colors. In cold weather they wore fur capes, hats and mittens.
Women used long dresses consisting of a bodice and a skirt. Married women put their hair under the cap, and free girls simply tied it with ribbon.
To indicate their position in society they wore special jewelry: brooches, buckles and pendants. Silver and gold bracelets were awarded to soldiers after a successful campaign.
As for the Viking weapons, they most often fought with wide axes and long swords. They also used a spear and shield.
The Vikings were excellent shipbuilders; they made practically the best ships of that era. The Viking fleet consisted of Drakkars - warships and merchant ships - Knorrs. The most famous Scandinavian ships - the Gokstad and Userberg ships are now in the Oslo Museum of Drakkars.
In addition, the Vikings were frantic warriors, constantly improving their skills.
It is very common belief that the Vikings were dirty, unwashed savages with animal habits.
This is not entirely true. During archaeological excavations in the places of residence of the Vikings, numerous household items of northerners were discovered: baths, ridges, mirrors. Scientists also found the remains of a substance similar to modern soap.
In ancient writings, comic records of the British about the uncleanliness of the Vikings were preserved. For example, “Vikings are so clean that they even go to the bathhouse once a week.” Despite the ridicule and prejudice against the "savages" Europeans themselves were much less likely to wash themselves, and they tried to mask unpleasant body odors with perfumes and aromatic oils.
