Who were the Vikings?
The Viking people came from three countries of Scandinavia: Denmark, Norway and Sweden. They were also known as the Norse people. They were mostly farmers, but some worked as craftsmen or traders.
Many Vikings were great travellers and sailed all over Europe and the north Atlantic Ocean in their longships. Some went as fierce pirate raiders: they stole treasure and attacked local people. But most Vikings who sailed overseas were simply searching for better land for their farms. The Viking Age began about 1,200 years ago in the 8th Century AD and lasted for 300 years.
The name 'Viking' comes from my language which is called 'Old Norse'. It means 'a pirate raid'.
