All of the topics from OCR GCSE History about Vikings, some key topics : homelands, daily life, Gods, Viking society, Great Heathens Army, Volga Vikings, Trades, Raids, Weapons / Tactics, Kings, Expansion, Christianity and so much more !
Homelands Scandinavia ; 3 different parts, which later became the countries of Norway, Denmark and
Sweden.
Denmark - Land of hills, many inlets and island’s. Fertile and well populated land, it was
close to other parts of Northern and Western Europe.
Sweden - Largest of the 3, land of lakes and forests
Norway - Thousands of offshore islands , huge mountains with inlets cutting in (fjords).
Houses Houses were long, built out of timber since it was the most available material in
Scandinavia. Houses had thatched roofs and no ventilation; during the day there was a
space for a hearth in the middle surrounded by benches, at night these benches would
serve as bed. Animals were often kept on the other side of the house during cold winters.
When cooking the smoke would stay in the house due to little ventilation; it would be very
dark in these houses.
Food People closer to rivers and seas would depend on fishing, people on land would depend on
farming and forests for vegetables, fruits and animal meat such as deer and elk meat which
would be hunted in the forest. Farms were crucial, horses / oxen pulled ploughs, they had
milk, hens for eggs, geese, duck, pigs (all salted or smoked, also preserved for winter). Rye
was used for sourdough, and oats were grown for porridge, etc
Tools and Wood was essential, it was used for the construction of many things like boats, houses,
Equipment equipment. For farming it provided spades and ploughs. Iron was also valuable, it was used
for iron nails, axes, hammers, knives, locks and keys - ironsmiths played a key role. Bone
from animals was used for combs, knives, handles and drinking vessels.
Viking Thralls : slaves due to being captured in war or owning debt, they did heavy work and they
Society could buy their freedom.
Bondi : freemen who owned land, they had a say in things, varied in wealth. They’d be
expected to fight when called upon and have their own weapons.
Jarls : important landowners and warriors, chiefs of Bondi in the area. Jarls would look after
the wellbeing of Bondi’s, in return for their loyalty and readiness to fight.
From Jarls the first King emerged.
Women : couldn’t be Bondis, Jarls or decide in ‘things’, they ran the household, made sure
food lasted winter, milked farm animals and took care of them, they made clothes and were
expected to know about herbs. They had keys hanging from their belt to symbolise their
control over the household, they also controlled the thralls when men went away.
Clothes and Usually wore a long sleeve undershirt made out of linen or wool, it would reach the knees.
Jewellery - They wore loose trousers with a tunic, they had a cloak fastened with big brooches at their
shoulders. A belt would be fastened around their waist to carry a purse or knife, there were
Men different styles of shoes but the most common one were ankle boots or slip-ons fastened
with ties or toggles.
Clothes and Wore and underdress, reaching their ankles with a dress on top, it was fastened with oval
Jewellery - brooches on their shoulders, they also had a purse and belt like men to carry sewing
needles, etc. The shoes were similar to mens shoes, and women also carried fire-steels :
Women pieces of iron used to produce sparks and fire. Both men and women had their hair let
down, wealthy Vikings could afford having rings and coloured clothing.
Viking Art Wood : cheap and easy to carve
Much of the finest art was owned by wealthy jarls who used it to show their status and
power, the most common art designs were based on strange animals with interlocking
shapes.
Carving of the Osberg ship : animals which twisted and turned.
Runes and Found all over Scandinavia, they were set up in public places like memorials sites, usually
Runestones colourful. The letters (Runes) were carved into the runestones.
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SECTION INFORMATION EVIDENCE
Ships - 18m long and 3m wide, rowed by 20 oarsmen. Had a 1920 ship found in Norway
Kvalsund shallowing drought enabling long river travel, could be pulled
on land- no harbour required. Had a rudder (steering oar)
attached to the stern side. Had a sail.
Ships - Knarr - wide and sturdy cargo vessel, carrying crew of 6-5, Skuldelev 1962, found 5
Skuldelev good for long distance. ships from the 11th
It was a small cargo boat for coastal trades, it was also used Century.
as a fishing boat.
Snekkja - small warship, carrying 30 Vikings.
Skeid - fast, sea-going ship, could carry 80 Vikings.
Trading Scandinavian sailors visited and knew many countries like England, Scotland and Germany.
Towns They travelled there in better ships and increased trade, this led to setting up trading towns.
They’d be protected by a King (powerful Jarl) and they were accessible with a harbour,
houses and marketplace.
Hedeby First Scandinavian trading town, the Earliest King of Denmark sent merchants here, the
(Denmark) town had many fjords with easy and direct access to the Baltic sea. It was a semicircular
area with timber walls and gates with entrances, the streets were paved, there were many
workshops, workers and merchants. Clothing, pottery and jewellery were sold. Later on
coins started to be minted so people no longer exchanged items, they started paying.
Birka Island on lake, it was under the King's supervision. The town Silver coin minted with a
(Sweden) had a small fort with houses and workshops, leading down to ship shows Birka’s trading
a lake. importance.
Kaupang Merchants traded from ships drawn up along the slides of narrow fjords. Rows of small
(Norway) houses and workshops were found by archaeologists. The place was known as the ‘shining
hall’ (named after it’s lord’s), there was a residence on the hill behind the town, they traded
jewellery, moulds for casting lead, amber, glass beads and loom weights from weavers.
SECTION INFORMATION EVIDENCE
Stories Belief in forces beyond human powers were fundamental. Eddas - collection of old
about the Believed in Yggdrasil - ash tree of the universe with different Norse poems and stories
levels (according to the eddas which is a collection of old
Universe norse poems / stories). God’s lived in Asgard, humans lived
in Midgard and the in the earthly oceans and seas the
Midgard Serpent lived, in the underworld (Hel) many cruel /
horrible creatures like trolls lived and in the roots there were 3
females called the Norns which controlled past, present and
future. Ragnarok was the end of times battle, a great fire
would wipe out everyone and that’s why most vikings lived
their lives adventurously since they knew they were going to
die either way.
- Yggdrasil belief discovered by the Eddas ; Yggdrasil was an old ash tree with
different levels of life.
- Asgard ; Gods, Midgard ; humans and Midgard Serpent in the seas, Hel ; evil
creatures
- Norns; 3 females who controlled past, present and future were in the roots
- Ragnarok ; final battle which would set fire to the world and kill everyone
Viking Gods Odin ; God of war and dead but also the God of wisdom and Over a thousand of
poetry. He rode an eight legged horse (sleipnir) and he had emblems were found with
ravens (Huggin and Munnin) which would fly around Midgard Thor’s mjollnir.
and tell him what’s happening. Any viking who died at war
would be collected by his female helper (valkyrie) and they
would be taken to Valhalla.
Thor ; God of thunder and lightning, crops and plague as well
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