THE VIKINGS

The Vikings first appeared on the coast of Ireland in the year 800. They came from Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

The Chief was buried with his weapons and his jewels. Women wore long dresses made of wool and a length of cloth over them. They dyed their own clothes.

They made the best ships in that time. They were called longships. They often swapped boys to learn crafts from other families. Their towns were dirty and smelly. Poor people lived in little round huts. Rich people lived in rectangular houses. The houses were made of wood. They loved markets. They kidnapped people from other countries and made them their slaves. The men wore tunics, shawls, broaches and leather boots.

The Vikings roamed great distances. Merchants travelled to Russia, Persia and around the Mediterranean Sea. They traded such northern things as fur and walrus tusks for southern things such as silk and silver. Story telling was very popular. These stories, or sagas, were long poems telling of brave deeds, journeys to strange lands and victories in battle. When people couldn't read or write, they remembered stories by learning them off by heart. The Vikings, who called themselves Ostmen, are famous in history for their fierce fighting and their plundering.
A Viking ship was found buried in a ship grave in Norway. It is about 25 metres long and was built mostly of oak.

BY: Grace, Olivia, Niamh, Josephine, Laura.

THE VIKINGS

Long ago, Vikings came to Ireland. The Vikings came to Ireland to steal the people's goods. The Vikings came to Ireland on their well-built boats. They came from Scandinavia. Their gods were Odin (god of magic and poems). Thor was (god of the sky) and Frey (god of fertility.) Their houses were made of wood. The houses were rectangular shaped.

The poor people lived in round huts. The Vikings had a tiny hole at the top of the house to let the smoke out of the fire. The women wore fine clothing usually made from wool or linen. The people dyed their clothes by using flowers. The Vikings had lots of armour such as swords, axes and spears. They would wear tunics, cloaks and big coats.

At a funeral or a special occasion, the people killed an animal to sacrifice to their gods. The Oserberg burial contained the finest examples of Viking carving. This dragons head post was intended to frighten away evil spirits. It is covered with nightmarish creatures called gripping beasts, which often appear in Viking art. The Karls were farmers, fishermen and craftsmen. Their armour was axes, swords, hammers and shields. There were Viking boats found at Fagans tub.

BY: Amy, Anna, Alison Jenny, Siobhan, Julianne.