Seafaring Vikings
I can describe how Viking raids on the British Isles were part of a bigger story of seafaring and expansion.
Seafaring Vikings
I can describe how Viking raids on the British Isles were part of a bigger story of seafaring and expansion.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Vikings also began to raid monasteries in Ireland, founding Dublin in the 9th century.
- The Norse were seafarers who travelled and settled widely across Europe, as far away as Byzantium.
- In the 9th century, they settled in Iceland, and in the 10th century Erik the Red is said to have reached Greenland.
- Erik’s oldest son, Leif Erikson, travelled as far as North America, calling the land he discovered Vinland.
Keywords
Fortified - fortified means to provide a place with defenses, such as walls, to protect it against attack
Expansion - expansion often means becoming more permanent and larger in size
Seafaring - seafaring means regularly travelling by sea
Saga - a saga is a story of achievements or events in the history in Old Norse or Old Icelandic
Common misconception
Pupils may think the Vikings only raided places and left.
Vikings expansion involved sailing to explore new places which they often raided for goods. The Vikings then began to settle and trade in these places.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
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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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
The Vikings arrived in Iceland.
Erik the Red discovered Greenland.
Leif Erikson discovered Vinland.