Viking History, Social Organization, Expansion, and Beliefs

Vocabulary flashcards covering Viking social classes, governance, naval technology, expansion, mythology, and Christian conversion based on the lecture transcript.

Karl

The second class in Viking society composed of free men—primarily farmers, craftsmen, and merchants—who enjoyed legal protection and formed the main body of Viking warriors.

Thrall

The lowest social rank in Viking society, consisting of slaves who were born to slave parents, captured during war, or forced into slavery due to bankruptcy.

Jarl

The highest, wealthiest, and most powerful social rank in Viking society.

Thing

An open-air local or regional meeting held several times a year in Viking society where free men gathered to settle disputes and agree upon community taxes.

Viking Inheritance Customs

Social conventions dictating that an older son could expect to inherit the majority of his father's property, whereas younger sons received little to nothing.

Danelaw

The territory in England controlled and owned by Vikings, encompassing settlements such as York, Leicester, Cambridge, and London.

Dragon Ship

A Viking vessel built specifically for speed and attacking, characterized by intricate carved designs.

Knarr

A type of Viking ship constructed primarily for carrying cargo and heavy hauls rather than for speed.

Berserker

A Viking warrior known for fighting in an extraordinarily fierce, wild, or crazy manner.

Valhalla

The hall ruled by the main god Odin where Vikings believed warriors who died with honour would go to prepare for the final battle.

Blood Eagle

The most brutal Viking punishment, carried out for killing a father, chief, or king by cutting open the ribs; screaming during the procedure prevented entry into Valhalla.

Althing

The national assembly in Iceland's democratic system where chieftains decided matters of justice and laws, including the decision in $1000\text{ CE}$ that all of Iceland would convert to Christianity.

Erik the Red

A Norwegian-born Viking who was exiled from Iceland for murder, explored Greenland between $982\text{ CE}$ and $985\text{ CE}$, and led $25$ ships ($14$ of which arrived) to establish settlements there in $986\text{ CE}$.

Greenland

A large, mostly barren island west of Iceland spotted in $900\text{ CE}$ by a blown-off-course Viking and later settled by Erik the Red with East and West settlements.

Harald Bluetooth

The first Christian king of Denmark who converted in $965\text{ AD}$, enacted laws enforcing Christianity, constructed the Jelling rune stones, and was later overthrown by his son.

Jelling Rune Stones

Rune stones reconstructed on the orders of King Harald Bluetooth to mark Denmark as unified and Christian, serving to deter foreign attacks.

Primary Sources

Firsthand historical evidence produced at the time of events—such as physical artifacts, boat carvings, and written accounts from raid survivors—considered more reliable than secondary sources.