Viking

"Viking" is the name used for the warrior/trader people of Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, and Denmark) from about 750 A.D to 1050 A.D. In their own culture, the word "viking" referred only to their pillaging raids on other people, usually carried out by sea in distinctive boats that were advanced for their time. These raids were famously devastating, and had a major impact on the history of England and France.

Along with their destructive habits, Vikings were also well-known traders, explorers and settlers. They settled the islands of Iceland (870) and Greenland (985), and tried to start a settlement in North America (1000), almost 500 years before Columbus. They founded the city of Dublin, Ireland, as a trading center. Vikings also expanded toward the East. They were involved in the founding of Russia, and were important in the history of the Eastern Roman Empire at Constantinople.

At home, Vikings were industrious farmers and fishermen. They had a distinctive culture that valued honor, hospitality, and generosity.

Vikings were pagans. They had many gods, such as Tyr, Odin, Thor, and Freya. Stories about these gods are now called Norse Myths.

Vikings who are still famous in our time are Noggin the Nog and his son Knut Nogson, Eric the Red and his son Leif Ericson.

References

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/vikings/

http://www.mnh.si.edu/vikings/start.html

http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/

http://www.nogginthenog.co.uk/