Early Middle Ages: The Battle Of The Viking Age

Coming from Scandinavian countries, predominantly Denmark and Norway, the Vikings began raiding the British Isles in the late 700s (James). The Vikings primarily targeted monasteries, because that is where most of the wealth was concentrated (Loughrey). These raids were very violent, people were killed, and the survivors were sold into slavery (Loughrey). These violent raids earned the Vikings the reputation of barbarians, much like the Mongols a few centuries later in Asia. After some time, once the Vikings exhausted most of the wealth in the monasteries, they turned their interest into settling the British Isles (James). By the late 9th century the Vikings had conquered most of England (James). However, even though these Viking kingdoms did not last very long, the Scandinavians who resided there stayed. These Scandinavians would go on to change the British Isles in many ways. Despite the violent and negative impacts of Viking raids on the British Isles, once the Vikings settled down, they had a significant and positive peaceful impact on the British Isles culturally, politically, and economically.

In the war of 1346 the English battled the French. The English were led by King Edward III. They took out the much larger French army.(2) The purpose was to claim France. They succeeded and held it for over 200 years.

The middle ages was a period of great territorial and social instability throughout Europe. After the fall of Rome, the Byzantine Empire gained control in the east, while in the west however, no single empire arose from Rome’s ashes (citation). During the 800s or near the end of the early medieval ages, Christians in southern England were in constant battle with the Danes who controlled northern Europe. These groups of seven kingdoms in southern England were known as the Anglo-Saxons. Among the leaders of the seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms who were threatened by the Danes march toward the south was Alfred the Great, Ruler of the small kingdom of Wessex. After uniting the Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms (Southern England) and defeating then Danes in the battle of Ethandun, Alfred the Great continued to transform

The conflict came from a lengthy dispute over English landholdings in France resulting from the norman conquest (von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow 335). When King Edward III claimed the vacant French throne, it was rejected in favor of Charles IV. Fighting commenced when Philip VI seized control of Gascony and both countries began fighting (von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow 335). Early on the English were racking up significant victories in various battles such as the Battle of Crecy, Battle of Poitiers, and the battle of Agincourt (von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow 335). The English seemed on the verge of victory when a 17 year old peasant girl named Joan of Arc encouraged Charles VII to relieve the siege of Orleans (von Sivers, Desnoyers, and Stow 335). The victory at Orleans led to a successive French victories culminating in the end of the conflict in 1453, when the English conceded victory to the French in the Treaty of

My first topic I’ll talk about is war,warriors and weaponry of the vikings. The vikings were a society that would invade to get land and resources. They would go around in their longships and attempt to invade countries or states they felt they had a good chance against. Some countries they invaded were France, Spain, Netherlands, Greenland, Iceland, North America and Germany. When the vikings invaded parts of Great Britain they influenced Britain’s culture and society. This may have changed the course of history, because than Britain went on to invade and colonise many other countries such as Australia. This source just shows how aggressively they fought and how superior they were. A rather wealthy viking would usually have a spear, a wooden

Come and take journey back into time where worlds collide, kingdoms fall, and armies rise. Perhaps the biggest clash of worlds has to be the Viking world versus eighth century Europe. Roger Collins says in his book Early Medieval Europe 300-1000 that there is no way to know if the Vikings raided Europe for specific reasons such as “overpopulation, climatic deterioration, or other ecological changes affecting Scandinavia”

The Viking Era began in the late eighth century and ended in the mid eleventh century (history). Vikings originated from modern day Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Then, they eventually discover and inhabit Iceland and Greenland. A majority of the people living in these regions were farmers. Trade was also popular in Europe at the time. A short growing season due to the regions northern location, thick forestation, and a growing population, likely initiated Scandinavian merchants to venture out of their region and begin exploring trade with various European countries. As the thirst for Europe’s riches grew the Scandinavian people became more brutal and deleoped more creative ideas for acquiring money. They began raiding Christian monasteries

Many of the Air Force’s customs, traditions, and procedures are traceable to the earliest warriors. The dining-in is one such military tradition that has its roots in the distant past. The pre-Christian Roman Legions probably began the dining-in tradition. Roman military commanders frequently held great feasts to honor individuals and military units. These get-togethers were victory celebrations where past feats were remembered and loot of new conquests paraded. The second century Viking war lords stylized the format of the victory feast. With the exception of the lookout, or watch, the entire clan attended these celebrations. Feats of strength and skill were performed to entertain the members and guests. The leader took his place at the head of the table, with all others to his right and left in descending order of rank.

Until today, the English monarchs bear the title "Duke of Normandy." Anglo-Saxon England refers to the period of English history from the end of Roman Britain and the establishment of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. Through the sub-Roman period of English history, there is a strong cultural link back to the period of Roman occupation. Relations were closer with Scandinavia than with central Europe. Despite the geographical proximity of the French coast when the Anglo-Saxon period ended and the Norman period began. Moreover, this comparative isolation from Europe also ended. By the end of the Anglo-Saxon period, England had taken the shape of the country that continues to be the Kingdom of England now within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

William the Conqueror was the rightful heir to the throne of England, but was betrayed by Harold Godwin who promised William he would step aside from the throne. King Edward was the previous king and he died in 1064. Harold swore to William that he would not take the throne. The brother-in-law of Edward did just the opposite, as the most powerful lord in all of England Harold took the throne. Stated by “William the Conqueror Biography” “William would be so angered by this betrayal that would lead an invasion force into England two years later.”

In order to examine the Viking period, one need to know how the vikings became vikings and that they were ancient Scandinavian people who lived from late 8th century to early 11th century. Vikings originated from what is now modern day Denmark, Norway and Sweden. They were warriors,fighters, inventors, merchants, that had a huge impact on the European history. They settled in many parts of Europe, and even as far as Asia. When people hear the word “viking” they usually think about massive, violent creatures who travelled around Europe to fight and destroy European countries, but did they? Before discussing what happened to them, it is helpful to know who they were. Vikings age were defined as the years between 793 and 1066. It was during the time that Northern people had the largest impact on other Europeans. Such as trade, and through viking raids.

After Alfred the Great and his son successfully ruled England, many of the kings that followed them were not as successful. Eventually, under the rule of Ethelred, the Vikings took over England again. As the years progressed, and the Anglo-Saxons lived together with the Vikings, they began to all began to think of themselves as English. This understanding meant no more Viking troubles, right? Well, not exactly. When Edward the Confessor ruled England, he had no sons. Because of this, several men wanted to inherit the throne. Harold, a nobleman from Wessex, gained support from many of those in power throughout England. William, the duke of Normandy (in France), thought that since he was a distant cousin of Edward the people should crown him the next English king. When Harold’s boat shipwrecked on the coast of Normandy, William deviously welcomed Harold into his castle. He prepared a feast and afterwards made Harold promise he would give the throne to William.

The Battle of Hastings, was the turning point for the English Civilization. In this battle, William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy defeats Harold the Saxon. With the defeat of Harold the Saxon, William, Duke of Normandy, was able to ascend to the English throne. Without the addition of this French line, the English and French would have never had cause to feud. Without a feud and a struggle of competition, it is possible that the English may have never advanced as rapidly.

Just a mere two days ago, The Battle of Hastings was fought, between the strong Norman-French army of Duke William || of Normandy and an English army under the Anglo-Saxon Kind Harold Godwinson. William the Conqueror decided that he should be the King of England, starting the Battle of Hastings.

The Scandinavian Vikings – in contemporary sources known as “Northmen,” “heathens,” or “foreigners” – are imagined as rough, wild and unkempt men in horned helmets, plundering, pillaging and raping in early medieval Europe (Somerville & McDonald 2014; xv). However, this image of a wild, barbarian nation which is popular in modern fiction, TV-shows and movies, is far from true. The horned helmets are an invention of the Romantic era in the nineteenth century and the Vikings were more than raiders and were renowned merchants, seaman, explorers, mercenaries and poets (Somerville & McDonald 2014; xv-xvi).