Vikings

Culture

They shared practices and societal structure with the Germanians, including their focus on war and social classes.

Jarls

The noble class in Viking society.

Karls

The average class in Viking society.

Thralls

The slave class in Viking society.

Literacy

Vikings were not illiterate but did not write books or record history.
have written evidence of them because of the people who survived their raids

Slavery

An important institution in Viking society that provided a stable labor force for farming and construction.

Women's Autonomy

Viking women gained autonomy at the age of 20.

Norse Mythology

The belief system of the Vikings, featuring gods and goddesses with specific domains.

Odin

The king of the gods in Norse mythology, associated with wisdom, poetry, death, and magic.

Thor

The son of Odin and the god of thunder and storms.

Sif

The goddess of Earth and wife of Thor.

Njord

The god of the sea, patron of sailors, fishermen, and explorers.

Viking Raids

Swift military actions conducted by Vikings, known for their seafaring lifestyle.

Weapons

Vikings used swords, axes, spears, and bows and arrows in their raids.

Lindisfarne Raid

A significant early Viking raid on a monastery in Northumberland, England. Ransacked the church looking for anything of value, took many monks as slaves

Monks' Accounts

Surviving monks documented the Lindisfarne Raid, providing historical insight.

Exploration

Vikings explored regions such as Iceland, Greenland, and Newfoundland.

Beowulf

An epic tale originally written by a Christian monk, featuring the ideal Viking warrior king.

Christian Elements

The story of Beowulf was influenced by Christian themes added by the monk who recorded it.

Honor

The concept of dying an honorable death was significant in Viking culture, exemplified by Beowulf.