The Viking Age

This section explores the Vikings as raiders and traders of the 8th to 10th Century. The Viking Age, which began in the late 8th century and continued into the 10th century, was a defining period in European history. During this time, the Vikings from Scandinavia—mainly from the regions that are now Denmark, Norway, and Sweden—raided, traded, and settled across large parts of Europe, including England. Their activities had a profound impact on the countries they encountered, both as conquerors and as merchants.

Viking Raids on England: The Conquered

In the 8th century, England was not a unified nation but rather a collection of smaller kingdoms, which made it vulnerable to external threats. The first major Viking raid in England occurred in 793, when the Vikings attacked the monastery at Lindisfarne on the northeast coast. The shock of this raid marked the beginning of a series of brutal Viking incursions over the next several decades.

Viking raids in England were initially focused on monasteries and coastal towns, which were rich in treasures such as gold, silver, and religious relics. The Vikings, with their advanced seafaring skills, could travel quickly and efficiently, using longships that allowed them to navigate both the open sea and shallow rivers. This made them highly effective raiders, able to strike unexpectedly and disappear as quickly as they came.

Over the next century, Viking raids grew in scale and frequency. The Vikings were not only interested in plunder but also sought land to settle. In 865, a large Viking army, known as the Great Heathen Army, invaded East Anglia, eventually establishing control over much of England, including Northumbria, Mercia, and East Anglia. This marked the beginning of a period of Viking rule in parts of England, which lasted for over a century.

The Vikings were not simply conquerors in the traditional sense; they often negotiated with local rulers. In many cases, rather than facing endless battles, the Anglo-Saxon kings of England would offer the Vikings large sums of gold or silver—known as Danegeld—in return for peace. This practice became common after the Viking armies threatened to destroy entire kingdoms. The treasure taken from these payments often ended up in Viking-controlled cities like Jorvik (modern-day York) or in their homelands in Scandinavia.

Viking Traders: The Conquerors Who Changed the World

While the Vikings are often remembered for their raids, they were also skilled traders and explorers. By the 9th and 10th centuries, the Vikings had established extensive trading networks that stretched across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. They were active in both the Byzantine Empire and the Arab world, where they traded furs, amber, and enslaved people in exchange for luxury goods like silks, spices, and silver.

One of the most significant Viking trading hubs was Dublin, which the Vikings founded in the 9th century. Dublin became an important centre for commerce, where goods from across the known world were exchanged. The Vikings also used their trading activities to build political power. By controlling strategic trade routes, the Vikings were able to extract tribute from surrounding kingdoms, including Anglo-Saxon England.

Another key Viking settlement was Jorvik, the Viking name for York, which became one of the most important cities in England during the Viking Age. Located in the heart of Viking-controlled territory in the north of England, Jorvik was a thriving centre of both manufacturing and commerce. It was not only a place where goods were traded but also a place where they were produced. Skilled craftsmen in Jorvik made leather goods, metal tools, pottery, and textiles for local sale, as well as for trade further afield. Some of these craftsmen produced high-quality items in larger quantities that were used for bartering in other markets, both within England and across the wider Viking world.

Jorvik’s wealth and influence were also tied to its role as the base of the Viking rulers in England. Following the invasion of the Great Heathen Army in 865, Jorvik became the political and military centre of the Viking presence in England. The Viking leaders, such as Ivar the Boneless and his brothers, used the city as a base for their campaigns across England, while also overseeing the lucrative trade and manufacturing activities that made the city so prosperous.

Viking Economy: From Raids to Commerce

Viking economies were built on a combination of raiding, farming, and trading. Unlike many other medieval armies, Viking warriors were not paid regular wages. Instead, they were motivated by the desire to acquire wealth through their raids. This wealth could come in the form of precious metals, enslaved people, or valuable commodities. The Vikings' raids on England and other parts of Europe were driven by the prospect of gaining these treasures, which they then traded or used to fund further expeditions.

Over time, the Vikings began to settle in the lands they raided, creating stable economies based on both agriculture and trade. As the Viking presence in England grew, especially in cities like Jorvik, the local economy shifted. While raids and pillaging remained an important part of Viking life, trade became even more significant. As the Vikings traded goods, they also established strong economic ties with other cultures, which allowed them to gain access to exotic goods from faraway lands.

Much of the treasure taken from raids, whether gold, silver, or enslaved people, ended up in Viking-controlled towns and settlements like Jorvik. This treasure often found its way back to Scandinavia, where it fueled the expansion of Viking kingdoms and supported their trading networks. Viking trade was not limited to Europe; their long-distance contacts stretched as far as the Byzantine Empire and the Abbasid Caliphate, where Vikings traded for silks, spices, and other luxury goods.

Conclusion: The Legacy of the Vikings

The Viking Age ended in the 11th century, but the impact of the Vikings on England and the wider world remained significant. In England, the Viking invasions led to political and cultural changes, with Norse traditions blending with Anglo-Saxon practices. The Vikings left a lasting legacy in the form of place names, language, and even the structure of some local governments.

While they were feared for their raids, the Vikings were also instrumental in shaping the medieval world through their trading networks and settlements. Cities like Jorvik became centres of commerce, and Viking traders helped connect Europe with far-reaching parts of the world. The Vikings were not only conquerors but also skilled merchants, explorers, and craftsmen whose influence spread across continents and shaped the course of history.

Their complex role as both conquerors and traders demonstrates the multifaceted nature of Viking society, which was defined by both violence and enterprise, raiding and trading, exploration and settlement. This dual legacy makes the Vikings one of the most fascinating and influential peoples of the medieval period.