1. Read description of Vikings attack on pg. 211
2. Vikings as seafarers
a. Vikings are known as -- Northmen, Norsemen, and Vikings
b. They were from Scandinavia
c. They were pagans -- worshipped warlike gods
d. They struck Europe with technological marvel- light, lean ships held 300 warriors and could come close to land, strike swiftly, and leave quickly before help could arrive.
3. Viking achievements
Vikings were also good farmers, good traders and great explorers. By 900AD, hundreds of Scandinavians traveled to and settled in Iceland. In 982 Eric the Red discovered Greenland.
By 1000, the Red's son, Lief Ericson, sailed from Greenland to another unexplored land--probably the Canadian island -- Newfoundland. Vikings called it Vinland. SO LIEF ERICSON REACHED THE AMERICAS BEFORE COLUMBUS.
Vikings also settled throughout Europe: Ireland, England, N. France
4. The Viking Age ended about 1000
WHY?
a. Europeans worked out a way to respond quickly to raids.
b. The Vikings gradually adopted Christianity -- so they are less inclined to raid monasteries.
c. After 1000, Europe's climate went through a warming trend that lasted several centuries-- so as the weather warmed, farming became easier and they didn't need to raid as much.
d. The Vikings were the LAST raiders on W. Europe