Vikings
The Vikings were Nordic warriors, sailors and traders originating mainly from Scandinavia, i.e. today's Norway, Sweden and Denmark. They are known for their raids and trading expeditions that took them to remote parts of Europe, Asia and North America. The Vikings were also farmers, craftsmen and traders and had a sophisticated culture with a rich mythological and religious system. The Vikings were often regarded as excellent sailors and shipbuilders.
Timing of the period Vikingů
The period of the Vikings is usually dated from the late 8th century to the mid-11th century. century, more precisely from 793, when the Vikings made their first recorded raid on Lindisfarne Abbey on the north-east coast of England, to 1066, when Harald III was defeated by the Norman warlord William the Conqueror. Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, symbolising the end of the Viking era. This period is characterised by the invasions, expansion and colonisation of the Viking peoples, which left a lasting impact on Europe and other regions.
Viking expansion included the colonisation of Iceland and Greenland and even reached as far as North America, where they established short-lived settlements such as L'Anse aux Meadows in what is now Newfoundland, Canada. The Vikings also reached deep into Russia, where they were involved in the founding of Kievan Rus, and influenced political and cultural developments in a wide area of Europe as far as the Byzantine Empire.