The Vikings

Origin and Era of the Vikings

• The Vikings originated from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

• The Viking Era spanned from AD 700 to 1100 in European history.

• During this time, many Vikings left Scandinavia and traveled to other countries, including Britain and Ireland.

Early Raids

• 8th Century: The Vikings initiated raids along the coasts of Britain and Ireland.

• First Recorded Raids:

  • AD 789: The first recorded Viking raid occurred in Portland, Dorset.

  • AD 793: A significant raid took place at the monastery of Lindisfarne in North-East England.

• Settlement in England:

  • Danish Vikings began to settle in Eastern England during the 9th century.

  • King Alfred of Wessex defeated Danish forces and established a border dividing England into two parts:

  • The northern and eastern regions were under Danish control, known as the Danelaw.

  • Alfred ruled over West Mercia, Kent, and Wessex.

The Raid on Lindisfarne

• Key Facts about Lindisfarne:

  • Location: Northumbria, North-East England.

  • Notable for its well-known monasteries housing valuable books, art, and treasures.

• Event of 793:

  • The raid on Lindisfarne marked the beginning of a series of aggressive Viking attacks on England and is considered the earliest known instance of such attacks.

Viking Attacks in the Late 8th Century

• Year 787:

  • "Three ships of Northmen" arrived on Wessex's coast and killed a local reeve who had come to accompany them to the king.

• Year 792:

  • The Kingdom of Mercia implemented defensive measures against “pagan seamen”, however, the attack on Lindisfarne was the first recorded Viking raid in England.

  • Christian monasteries were often unprotected, making them easy targets for raids due to their riches in gold, jewels, and manuscripts.

Expansion of Viking Raids

• Viking raids later expanded to English, Scottish, Irish, and French territories.

• Year 865:

  • Formation of the Great Heathen Army, marking a pivotal moment in Viking relations with the UK.

  • This coalition included soldiers from Norway, Denmark, and possibly Sweden.

  • Prominent leaders included Halfdan Ragnarsson and Ivar the Boneless, sons of the famed Viking warrior Ragnar Lothbrok.

  • By the mid-9th century, most of Northumbria and Mercia were under Danish control.

King Alfred of Wessex

• Year 871:

  • King Alfred ascended to the throne of Wessex; this kingdom was the only autonomous region of the former Anglo-Saxon heptarchy.

  • Alfred successfully defended his territory from Danish rule and began reconquering parts of Mercia.

  • He negotiated a truce leading to the signing of the Treaty of Wedmore in 878, establishing borders between Danish law (Danelaw) and the sovereign state of Wessex.

Linguistic Impact of the Vikings

• Most Anglo-Saxon sources are derived from the West Saxon kingdom for the next two centuries post-Viking presence.

• Viking influence on the English language is more pronounced in the northern regions.

• Evidence of contact between Old Norse and Old English is limited, with only about 150 words of Scandinavian origin found in Old English sources.

  • This suggests intense contact in the Danelaw region.

Scandinavian Loanwords in English

• Loanwords from Scandinavian languages significantly impacted the basic vocabulary of English.

• Characteristics:

  • The loanwords are typically less technical and relate to everyday concepts.

• Examples:

  • Terms like “skirt,” “egg,” and “sky” are common loanwords derived from Scandinavian, contrasting with more abstract terms usually derived from Latin.

The Normans

Geographic and Historical Context of Normandy

• Normandy:

  • Located on the northern coast of France, directly across the English Channel from England.

  • Stretches approximately 75 miles back from the English Channel.

• Early Inhabitants:

  • The valleys of the Seine and Eure have been inhabited since the Paleolithic period.

  • The Celtic inhabitants were overcome by Julius Caesar in 56 BCE.

  • Eventually became known as Gallia Lugdunensis Secunda, with inhabitants converting to Christianity during the 3rd and 4th centuries CE.

  • The region integrated into the Merovingian Franks’ control in the late 5th century, later part of the Frankish kingdom of Neustria.

Viking Influence in Normandy

• 8th Century Viking Raids:

  • The Normandy coast faced repeated devastation from Viking raids.

  • As Carolingian rulers weakened, the Vikings advanced further into French territory.

• Control of the Region:

  • King Charles III the Simple finally ceded territory to Rollo, the Viking leader, around Rouen and the Seine River after prolonged conflict.

The Treaty of St. Clair-sur-Epte

• Signed in 911, this treaty marked the end of the Viking era in France.

• Terms of the Treaty:

  • The Northmen (Vikings) were granted rights to occupy territories in Normandy.

  • Rollo accepted the French king as his overlord and was made a duke, leading to the designation of the settlers as Normans, with the territory subsequently named Normandy.