How did the Vikings fight? | History for Year 6 PDF Download

What Weapons and Armor Did the Vikings Have?

Weapons Used by Vikings:

• Viking warriors primarily wielded long swords and axes in battle.
• A high-quality sword was often passed down from father to son as a treasured heirloom.
• Upon a warrior’s death, it was common to bury their weapons alongside them, signifying their importance in Viking culture.

Types of Armor:

• Most Vikings did not wear extensive armor. Instead, some chieftains adorned themselves with mail coats made of interlinked metal rings for better protection.
• The majority relied on round wooden shields, which were often too costly for ordinary warriors.

Berserkers:

• Some Viking warriors were known as 'berserkers,' who fought in a frenzied state, often wearing wolf or bear skins.
• This term originates from the Old Norse word for 'bear-shirt.' Berserkers believed that the god Odin granted them superhuman strength, allowing them to battle without traditional armor.

Tactics in Battle:

• Vikings, like the Anglo-Saxons, fought primarily on foot and often formed a 'shield-wall' where they stood side by side, shields locked together for collective defense.
• In these confrontations, no prisoners were taken; the slower individuals were often killed, and their gear was looted by victorious combatants.

How Did the Vikings Attack?

Initial Raids:

• During their early raids, Vikings often used a small number of ships to execute surprise attacks, such as the notable raid on Lindisfarne in AD 793.
• With no English navy to counter them, Vikings could easily land on beaches or navigate up rivers to execute their ambushes.

Large-Scale Invasions:

• By AD 866, larger Viking armies began to invade Britain, coming close to conquering the entire land.
• In AD 892, over 300 Viking ships invaded Britain against King Alfred of Wessex, potentially numbering around 6,000 men if each ship contained 20 warriors.

King Alfred and the Vikings

• In AD 892, over 300 Viking ships invaded Britain to confront King Alfred of Wessex. While the exact size of the Viking army is unknown, assuming 20 men per ship, their force could have reached 6,000—a massive army for that era, as most Viking forces numbered between 1,000 and 2,000. King Alfred, however, was ready. He had fortified towns and assembled a substantial army from his warriors and conscripted men. 
• One portion of his forces guarded the strongholds, while Alfred shadowed the Viking fleet, keeping them confined to their ships. 
• For five years, until AD 897, the conflict persisted with raids, ambushes, and occasional full-scale battles.

Long Ships and Dragon Ships

Ship Types:

• Vikings constructed fast 'dragon-ships' and long ships specifically for raiding and warfare.
• Additionally, they built slower ships known as 'knorrs' for transporting passengers and cargo, as well as smaller vessels for fishing and short trips.

Capabilities:

• These long ships were designed to navigate in shallow waters, allowing Vikings to travel up rivers as well as across seas.
• During raids, they could quickly land on beaches, allowing warriors to leap ashore and initiate combat before retreating if pursued.

The Battle of Maldon Poem

In AD 991, a Viking army, likely numbering several thousand, landed on the Essex coast. The local English earl, Britnoth, permitted them to cross the causeway and engage in battle, likely to stop them from sailing elsewhere and attacking vulnerable communities. During the fierce clash, Britnoth was betrayed, and he and his men perished in combat. The renowned Anglo-Saxon poem The Battle of Maldon honors Britnoth’s courage and provides insight into the conflict:

• Then they unleashed their iron-hard lances,
• Sharpened spears soared through the air,
• Bows were drawn—shields clashed with points,
• Fierce was the fray, warriors fell…

What Was the Last Viking Battle?

The Battle of Stamford Bridge:

• This battle, occurring in 1066, marked the final significant conflict involving Vikings in England.
• It was fought between King Harald of Norway and Tostig against King Harold of England.
• Ultimately, King Harold emerged victorious, ending the Viking age in England.