![]() ![]() ![]() The names of Scandinavian kings are known only for the later part of the Viking Age, and only after the end of the Viking Age did the separate kingdoms acquire a distinct identity as nations, which went hand in hand with their christianization. But the three nations were not yet clearly separated, and still united by the common Old Norse language. Generally speaking, the Norwegians expanded to the north and west, the Danes to England and France, settling in the Danelaw, and the Swedes to the east. Important trading ports during the period include Birka, Hedeby, Kaupang, Jorvik, Staraya Ladoga, Novgorod and Kiev. From 839, there were Varangian mercenaries in Byzantine service (most famously Harald Hardrada, who campaigned in North Africa and Jerusalem in the 1030s). In Athens, Greece, some Swedish vikings wrote a runic inscription on the Pireus lionĭuring three centuries, Vikings appeared along the coasts and rivers of Europe, as traders, but also as raiders, and even as settlers. Viking navigators also opened the road to new lands to the north and to the west, resulting in the colonization of Shetland, Orkney, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, and even an expedition to, and a short-lived settlement in, Newfoundland circa 1000. Contemporary with the European Viking Age, the Byzantine Empire experienced the greatest period of stability (circa 800– 1071) it would enjoy after the initial wave of Arab conquests in the mid- 7th century. Geographically, a "Viking Age" may be assigned not only to the Scandinavian lands (modern Denmark, Norway and Sweden), but also to territories under North Germanic dominance, mainly the Danelaw, Scotland, the Isle of Man and Ireland. Many of the medieval kings of Norway and Denmark were married to English and Scottish royalty. Likewise, King Harold Godwinson was descended from Danish Vikings. In that respect, the Vikings continued to have an influence in Europe. The Normans, however, descended from Scandinavian Vikings that were granted parts of northern France (Normandy) in the 8th century (William the Conqueror's grandfather was a Viking), and from the indigenous population of Neustria. Humb|left|The Gokstad viking ship at display in Oslo, Norway]] The period of North Germanic expansion, usually taken to last from the earliest recorded raids in the 790s until the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, is commonly called the Viking Age. The pre-Christian Scandinavian population is also referred to as Norse. In English it has become common to use it to refer to the Viking Age Scandinavians in general. In the current Scandinavian languages the term viking is applied to the people who went away on viking expeditions, be it for raiding or trading. However, etymologists assign the earliest use of the word to Anglo-Frankish writers, who referred to " víkingr" as one who set about to raid and pillage. The word viking was introduced to the English language with romantic connotations in the 18th century. The Viking Age is often considered to have ended with the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066. Viking voyages grew less frequent with the introduction of Christianity to Scandinavia in the late 10th and 11th century. Vikings are also widely believed to have been early explorers of North America, with putative expeditions to present-day Canada taking place as early as the 10th century. It may also be used to denote the entire populations of Viking Age Scandinavia and their settlements elsewhere.įamed for their navigation ability and long ships, Vikings in a few hundred years colonized the coasts and rivers of Europe, the islands of Shetland, Orkney, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland circa 1000, while still reaching as far south as North Africa, east into Russia and to Constantinople for raiding and trading. This period of European history (generally dated to 793– 1066) is often referred to as the Viking Age. The term Viking commonly denotes the ship-borne explorers, traders, and warriors of the Norsemen who originated in Scandinavia and raided the coasts of the British Isles, France and other parts of Europe from the late 8th century to the 11th century. Related subjects: British History 1500 and before (including Roman Britain) General history
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