Historic DNA: The Vikings

Let's take a closer look at an enigmatic people who have captured the imaginations of generations. Beyond the familiar image of a broad, bearded man in a horned helmet, we'll explore the reality of Viking life.

A multifaceted people, each playing distinct roles within their society, encompassing not only the warriors we know from legends, but skilled craftsmen, farmers, traders, and explorers. Each individual contributed to a thriving civilisation with a nuanced social structure that challenges the one-dimensional portrayal of Norsemen that dominates popular culture.

The Viking Age is generally considered to have begun in the late 8th century, when Vikings first earned their fearsome reputation. Violent raids on monasteries and coastal towns became more frequent, but it’s worth remembering that they didn’t leave any written records of their own so the stories we have are all from people who survived the raids. Their exceptional shipbuilding skills allowed them to navigate the treacherous North Atlantic waters - Viking longships were sleek, shallow-drafted vessels that were able to sail both in open seas and shallow rivers. This technological advantage was crucial to their success as a seafaring society.

Viking raids struck fear into the heart of Europe’s coastal communities. They targeted wealthy monasteries, such as Lindisfarne in 793, and the raids continued throughout the British Isles, France, and as far south as the Iberian Peninsula. The raids were not only for plunder and resources, but also served as a means of asserting Viking Dominance.

By the 9th century though, Vikings began to establish more permanent settlements in the lands they had raided, putting down roots and beginning to farm the land. The most famous of these settlements is the Danelaw, a region in England where Danish law and culture held sway. Vikings also settled in the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and parts of Scotland and Ireland.

Politically, Viking society was decentralised. The highest authority in a region was often the local chieftain or ‘jarl’. Chieftains and jarls were positioned at the top of the hierarchy, followed by freemen (farmers and skilled craftsmen), and at the bottom sat the thralls (slaves).

The chieftains and jarls didn’t hold absolute power though, as they relied on the support of their followers, known as Thingmen. The Thing, an assembly of free men from the community, played a crucial role in decision-making. It served as a legislative and judicial body, where disputes were settled, laws were made, and leaders were chosen. The most famous of these assemblies was the Althing in Iceland, established in 930 AD, which is often considered one of the world’s oldest parliaments.

Vikings were some of the world's earliest explorers. Leif Erikson is credited with establishing a Norse settlement in Vinland (likely modern-day Newfoundland, based on archaeological evidence) around the year 1000. They also explored as far east as Constantinople (now Istanbul) and established successful trade routes along the Volga river, connecting them to the Byzantine Empire.

Despite their reputation as raiders, Vikings were also accomplished traders. They established trade routes that stretched across the world, trading furs, amber, weapons, and slaves.

The decline of the Viking age is often associated with the spread of Christianity. In the late 10th century, kings like Olaf Tryggvason in Norway and Sweyn Forkbeard in Denmark converted to Christianity and began forcibly converting their subjects. This marked the end of Norse paganism, and with it, the distinct era of Viking culture.

The Vikings’ contributions to history are multifaceted. They played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of Europe, leaving a lasting impact on the British Isles, Normandy, and Russia. The Viking Age is also celebrated for its rich mythology and sagas, which continue to captivate readers and inspire adaptations in popular culture.

The Viking Age saw remarkable achievements in shipbuilding, exploration, and trade. Their voyages took them to regions such as Iceland, Greenland, and even Vinland. They established settlements and traded goods like furs, amber, and weapons.

The Vikings were a complex and diverse people whose history, culture, politics, language, and religion have left an indelible mark on Europe. Their legacy lives on in modern Scandinavian societies, where elements of their heritage can still be seen today.

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