The Viking Age (c. 793 – 1066 CE)

The Viking Age, considered one of the most tumultuous periods in European history, encompasses the era of the Vikings. The time of seafaring warriors, traders, craftsmen, and Norsemen from the 8th century to the 11th century is defined by the beginning of the first Viking raid on the Lindisfarne monastery in 793 and culminating in the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066. It is the period in which Scandinavian Norsemen explored and settled throughout the North Atlantic, from Ireland to Constantinople, including Great Britain, Iceland, Greenland, and briefly, North America. The Vikings were primarily known for their expeditions and raids, but the Viking Age was a time of intense trade and cultural exchange, as well as technological advancement and societal shifts. We cover their travels and routes, mythology, life and customs, society and politics, and more on the age that left a Norse legacy on language, law, and legend.