Where Did the Vikings Come From?

The Vikings were the Old Norse version of pirates. They originated in the Scandinavian area of northern Europe and dominated the seas from 700 AD to 1100 AD. Typically characterized as bearded men with a helmet, round shield and long sword, the Vikings travelled the waterways of the world, settled and developed many areas, and gave birth to the Nordic language.

The Scandinavian Peninsula was the homeland of the Vikings. This peninsula consists of Norway, Sweden and the top northern half of Finland. The Vikings also came from Denmark, another peninsula and set of islands that sits in the southern waters between Norway and Sweden.

These peninsulas, land masses surrounded by water on three sides, provided a vantage point in northern Europe with abundant access to the rest of the world. They were able to traverse the European waterways in search of land and treasure and had easy access to ports which allowed them to attack, pillage and settle in many countries.

Vikings Were Fierce Fighters

Vikings were fierce seamen with no one to challenge them on the seas, and not many to challenge them on land either. They could attack other ships or land, pillage an area, and then jump back on their ships and escape.

They were especially known for attacking monasteries. Since the Vikings were pagans until about the tenth century, they had no misgivings of attacking unarmed monks that had many riches, such as gold, jewels, cattle and food, but no weapons or means of defending themselves.

On land, they settled in prime farmland that was unobtainable in their home countries. The Vikings settled land in England, Ireland, Scotland, France and even North America.

Some historians speculate that the eventual change from paganism to Christianity may have also ended the Viking Age, as the two coincided within a century of each other.