Viking

Margeson, Susan. Viking. 1994. 72p. ISBN 978-0-75566-1095-1. Available at 948 MAR on the library shelves.

Following the fall of the Roman Empire and the barbarian invasions from the East, Europe fragmented in a multitude of kingdoms and petty chiefdoms. Starting in the late 700s, however, a new wave of invaders swept through the continent, reaching as far south as Jerusalem and what is now Algeria, as far east as the Ural mountains, as far west as Newfoundland, and as far north as Iceland and Greenland. The Vikings, mighty seafarers, boarded their shallow bottom ships from Scandinavia and sailed across seas and up rivers in search of glory, plunder, and slaves. For three hundred years, Vikings ventured where they liked, spreading culture establishing trade routes, founding cities and finding new territories to colonize.

Scandinavia was rich in iron ore and timber, but poor in other resources, and the Vikings traded these for gold, silver, and other riches, but often attacked and looted towns and cities. Their religious views held that it was better to die in the glory of battle than to die an old man, and the Vikings took that to heart. Viking women ran the household and their farms while their husbands were away for war, keeping the local economy going. Eventually, Christianity spread to Scandinavia, and local myths and legends were adapted. Viking kings ruled all of Scandinavia, England, parts of France and Ireland.

Adept jewelers and artisans, the Vikings left a lasting impression on the world and passed into legend as a warlike people who contributed to the development of Europe.