Vikings

Vikings by Emilie Martin Vikings were Norse warriors, sailors, merchants, and pirates that terrorized, raided, and colonized Medieval towns and villages from the eight to the eleventh century to gain land, respect, and wealth. They raided as far east as Constantinople, and as far west as Newfoundland. Since they spent so much time traveling over the seas, they became skilled oarsmen and sailors. This is a viking's ship, called a longship or longboat. It had thehead of a dragon at the prow, and soon became the most feared thing on the seas. These ships used sails, but when the wind died, it took many men to row them. Here are some important vikings: William the Conqueror- king of England who saw the end of the Anglo Saxon era. His great great uncle was [|Canute the Great] [|Leif Ericsson] - first European to land in the Americas; colonized Newfoundland, Labrador, Vinland and Iceland. Son of Eric the Red **Freydís Eiríksdóttir- **  was a daughter of [|Eric the Red], half sister of Leif Ericsson. Went to Vinland, and turned on her partners, having them killed while sleeping. Freydis never got convicted because of her half brother, Leif. Here are some interesting facts about vikings · No laws against piracy · Bathhouses near house for weekly bath · Lived in longhouses · Had a legislative assembly and a court · Innocent until proven guilty

During the Viking Age some very important things happened that have a lasting impact. For example, Leif Ericsson was the first European to land in North America. If he hadn't places like Greenland wouldn't have been discovered until much later. Many tourists are drawn to viking artifacts and other spots, providing for the local economy. The Minnesota Vikings use the name viking as a thing of fear, and while there is no real threat, it reminds people of how fearsome, tough, and powerful real vikings were.

MLA Citations: The Vikings 3 August 2001. 16 April 2009 []

Viking 11 April 2009. 16 April 2009. []