The Vikings were looking for a new place to settle because their homeland was becoming too crowded. They heard about a land to the west that was rich in resources and had a milder climate. So, they set sail for North America. However, the voyage was long and difficult, and when they finally arrived, they … Read more
The game of chess is thought to have originated in India, before spreading to China and eventually Europe. There is no record of chess being played in Scandinavia during the Viking Age, however this does not mean that Vikings did not play the game. It is possible that chess was simply not well-documented during this … Read more
Believe it or not, the Vikings had a lot of fun. They enjoyed many activities such as hunting, fishing, and even playing games. Yes, the Vikings were known for their fierce fighting skills, but they also knew how to have a good time. The Vikings loved to hunt and often did so for sport. They … Read more
The term “viking” was first used in English in the late 12th century. It was originally spelled “vyking”, but the spelling was later changed to “viking”. The term “Viking” is thought to come from the Old Norse word “víkingr,” which means “pirate.” The Vikings were known for their raids on coastal towns, so it makes … Read more
The Vikings were a fierce and feared people. They were known for their skill in battle, as well as their love of plunder. They came from a land of harsh winters and rough seas, and this made them tough and resourceful. They were also excellent sailors, which helped them to travel far and wide. The … Read more
There are many reasons why Vikings may have raided monasteries. One reason is that Vikings were looking for valuables such as gold and silver. Monasteries often had large amounts of these precious metals, making them a tempting target for Viking raiders. Another reason is that monasteries were often isolated, making them easy targets for surprise … Read more
The word “Viking” is derived from the Old Norse víkingr, meaning “pirate, raider”. The Vikings were known as Ascomanni (“ashmen”) by the Germans for the ash wood of their boats, Dubgail and Finngail by the Irish, Dene by the Anglo-Saxons. The people of Scandinavia themselves tended to use other terms when referring to themselves and … Read more
The answer to this question is a little bit complicated, as the Vikings didn’t just wear one type of footwear. Depending on the task at hand, they would choose from a variety of different shoes and boots. For everyday walking around, they might choose a simple shoe called a ‘turnshoe.’ This was made by stitching … Read more
It takes roughly two to four months to grow a Viking beard, depending on the length and thickness of the beard you are aiming for. If you are growing your beard out for the first time, expect it to take on the longer end of that timeline. Once you have a full grown Viking beard, … Read more
No, not all Vikings had beards. In fact, many of them were clean-shaven! However, the stereotype of the Viking with a big, bushy beard is not entirely without merit; a lot of Vikings did indeed have beards. So why did some Vikings wear beards while others didn’t? It probably had a lot to do with … Read more