The Vikings

Like most other societies, the Vikings had social classes. There were 3 classes, and one could move up or down in rank. The lower class, Þræll, was composed of slaves. They could either be captives from a raid, criminals, or people of any class that couldn’t pay off a debt, so worked it off. The Karls were middle class. They make up a large majority of the Viking community. They were landowners, typically farmers, workers, or normal people. The highest ranking class is the Jarls. They were wealthy, powerful, and well known. In Viking culture, the woman was to stay at home, and she could not raid or trade, however they were allowed to go on explorations. A Viking was not allowed to cross dress, and a women could not have short hair, or carry weapons.

Vikings were well known for raiding more than anything else. They sent raiding parties to most of Europe. Their beliefs were strictly against stealing, therefore, they “raided.” They had to win a fight over another, and then claim their property. They didn’t leave much of any village after being raided, as most buildings were burnt to the ground. They were thought of as barbarians, however this was how most others behaved. The key difference is that the Vikings rarely lost. Part of their success may have been their appreciation of their weapons. Every free man needed a weapon that should never leave his reach. Most Vikings would carry an ax or spear, and possibly a shield. The wealthier a man, the better the weapons. Only a few Vikings could carry swords, and the wealthiest could afford a helmet, and chain mail, along with a larger set of weapons. Bows were occasionally used but weren’t common in the viking ages. Vikings added a large amount of detail to their weapons. Contrary to popular belief, Viking helmets did not have horns, and there is no evidence to support horns being mounted to the helmet. The helmets are typically a metal bowl with a nose guard.

Viking settlements of the Viking age were located at many areas of Europe. Greenland, Iceland, European Russia, northern tips of France and Germany, southern Italy, Constantinople, England and outer points of Ireland and Scotland all were inhabited by Vikings by the end of the Viking age. Many surrounding areas were frequently attacked, but never settled. Few Vikings made it to North America. Most that have tried have never returned. Settlements have been made on eastern parts of Canada, but they did not last.

They had great success in trade and exploration primarily due to their long ships, that could sail shallow waters. Since they had the capability to sail shallow rivers most over ships wouldn’t be able to trek, they could reach important trade cites like Miklagard. They originally used oars, but eventually added sails, although they still had oars, so when there wasn’t enough wind, they could just row.

Sports of the Vikings are not well known, and few artifacts have been found. What is known is that sports were extremely dangerous, and much more violent than ours, and injury or death is not uncommon. Some sports played by Vikings included horse fighting, weight lifting, and a contest to see who could hold their breath longer underwater. There was also a game played where two men would drink an alcoholic beverage and recite poetry, to see could hold the most before becoming too drunk to talk clearly.

It is commonly thought that Vikings were filthy savages, however the Vikings were very hygienically conscious. Their hair was frequently washed and cut. Combs, tweezers, and toothpicks were in common use. Laws were even past prohibiting intentionally making another man dirty.

At the end of the Viking age, Europeans started to improve on their defense of coastal regions, therefore the raids were not effective, causing the Vikings reign to slowly come to an end.