New
New
Year 6

A journey through Viking York: Merchants and traders

I can explain why Viking York was an important international trading centre for the Vikings.

New
New
Year 6

A journey through Viking York: Merchants and traders

I can explain why Viking York was an important international trading centre for the Vikings.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. York was a major centre for Viking trade and goods flowed in from across Europe and the Middle East.
  2. The remains of silk were found in Coppergate, which likely originated from the Middle East.
  3. It is likely that silk, along with spices and gemstones like carnelian, came to York via Viking traders in Russia.
  4. Baltic amber was used for jewellery in York, and, although no furs survive, it is likely that they were also traded.
  5. An Arabic coin and a cowrie shell from the Red Sea or the Gulf of Aden are further proof of wide trade links.

Keywords

  • Merchant - a merchant is a person who trades goods with other countries

  • Baltic - the Baltic is the area surrounding the Baltic Sea in northern Europe

  • Carnelian - carnelian is a brownish-red mineral that is often used as a gemstone to make jewellery

  • Amber - amber is hardened resin from ancient trees which has been preserved as a fossil over time

  • Silk - silk is a fine, soft and shiny material produced using the thread of a silk worm

Common misconception

Pupils may not understand how the objects prove the trade links around the world.

Particular objects during this time could only come from certain places. For example, silk was only made in China and travelled via the Silk Road to the Middle East and onto Europe.

Using maps during this lesson will help pupils grasp the understanding of trade routes more easily.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What description accurately describes the work of a blacksmith?
a craftsperson who carves wood as it rotates
a craftsperson who mends shoes as their job
Correct answer: a craftsperson who makes things in iron by hand
Q2.
What evidence excavated showed the work of wood turners?
boots and shoes
Correct answer: bowls and cups
jewellery and combs
handles for tools
Q3.
How did Viking buildings in Coppergate change over time?
Vikings added attics.
Vikings added stone chimneys.
Correct answer: Vikings added cellars.
Q4.
What were the roofs of early Viking houses in Coppergate often made from?
brick
tile
wood
Correct answer: thatch
Q5.
Where did Vikings go for feasting and celebrations in York?
central temple
Correct answer: large hall
marketplace
longhouses
Q6.
Complete the sentence. Many of the Viking people who lived in York were , rather than fierce warriors.
Correct Answer: craftspeople, cafts people, craft persons, craftpersons

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the correct meaning of 'trade'?
The action of playing sports and games
The action of travelling to new places
Correct answer: The action of buying and selling goods
The action of making music and art
Q2.
Complete the sentence: A person who trades goods with other countries is called a .
Correct Answer: merchant, murchant, merchent, murchent, murchant
Q3.
Which sea did the Vikings set up trading routes across?
Ouse
Correct answer: Baltic
Foss
Caspian
Q4.
Where did the Vikings trade Carnelian?
Correct answer: Russia
Baltic
Byzatium
Q5.
What was Baltic amber used to make in York?
Correct Answer: jewellery, jewllry , jewelry
Q6.
How do the objects found in York prove that the Vikings traded all around the world?
The objects found were only made of materials from England.
Correct answer: The objects found included items from places like Russia and the Baltic.
The objects found were made of materials found in Scotland and Wales.
The objects found were only made from materials found in the Baltic.

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