Uploaded September 2018 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Who were the Vikings really—raiders, traders, explorers, or ordinary farmers?
In this video, I give a clear and factual introduction to the Vikings, the people who lived in Scandinavia from roughly the 8th to the 11th century. I explain where they came from, how they lived, what they believed in, and why their impact on Europe was so significant.
The Vikings originated from what is today Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. While they are often remembered for their raids, most Vikings were not warriors but farmers, craftsmen, merchants, and fishermen. Raiding, trading, and settling new land were all part of Viking society—but only a small part of the population took part in overseas expeditions.
What did the Vikings do?
- Raided monasteries and coastal towns
- Traded goods such as fur, tools, jewelry, and slaves
- Explored and settled places like Iceland, Greenland, and Vinland (North America)
- Farmed the land and lived in small rural communities
- Language and writing
The Vikings did not speak modern Danish, Norwegian, or Swedish. They spoke Old Norse, a language that spread across large parts of Europe and influenced languages such as English and Russian.
They wrote using runic letters, known as the Younger Futhark, which we know from thousands of runestones found throughout Scandinavia.
Viking beliefs and religion
Before Christianity reached Scandinavia, the Vikings followed a polytheistic religion, believing in gods such as Odin, Thor, and Freyja.
Conversion to Christianity did not happen overnight. For centuries, old pagan beliefs and Christian practices existed side by side, something we can still see in archaeological finds and runestones like the Jelling Stones.
Viking society
- Viking society was divided into social classes:
- Thralls (slaves)
- Karls (free farmers and craftsmen)
- Jarls (elite nobles)
- Kings
Around 90% of the population were farmers, not warriors. Only a minority participated in raids, usually financed and organized by jarls.
The Viking Age is traditionally dated from 793 CE, marked by the raid on Lindisfarne, to 1066 CE, ending with the battles of Stamford Bridge and Hastings.
It was the development of advanced Viking ships that made long-distance travel, trade, and raids possible. Without these ships, there would likely have been no Viking Age.
How do we know about the Vikings?
- Most written sources about the Vikings come from:
- Christian monks
- Byzantine and Islamic travelers
- Later Icelandic sagas
Combined with archaeology—ships, graves, runestones, and settlements—these sources allow us to reconstruct Viking life with surprising detail.
This video is a foundational introduction to Viking history, separating myth from reality and explaining who the Vikings actually were.
Related article:
skjalden.com/who-were-the-vikings
Social:
Facebook: facebook.com/Skjaldenspage
Website: skjalden.com
Music credit:
Thanks to Danheim for allowing use of the song Vanheimr
Danheim YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCLTOYVwu-M-MnfOJDKIFn0Q
#Vikings #VikingAge #NorseHistory #Scandinavia #VikingCulture
Who were the Vikings really—raiders, traders, explorers, or ordinary farmers?
In this video, I give a clear and factual introduction to the Vikings, the people who lived in Scandinavia from roughly the 8th to the 11th century. I explain where they came from, how they lived, what they believed in, and why their impact on Europe was so significant.
The Vikings originated from what is today Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. While they are often remembered for their raids, most Vikings were not warriors but farmers, craftsmen, merchants, and fishermen. Raiding, trading, and settling new land were all part of Viking society—but only a small part of the population took part in overseas expeditions.
What did the Vikings do?
- Raided monasteries and coastal towns
- Traded goods such as fur, tools, jewelry, and slaves
- Explored and settled places like Iceland, Greenland, and Vinland (North America)
- Farmed the land and lived in small rural communities
- Language and writing
The Vikings did not speak modern Danish, Norwegian, or Swedish. They spoke Old Norse, a language that spread across large parts of Europe and influenced languages such as English and Russian.
They wrote using runic letters, known as the Younger Futhark, which we know from thousands of runestones found throughout Scandinavia.
Viking beliefs and religion
Before Christianity reached Scandinavia, the Vikings followed a polytheistic religion, believing in gods such as Odin, Thor, and Freyja.
Conversion to Christianity did not happen overnight. For centuries, old pagan beliefs and Christian practices existed side by side, something we can still see in archaeological finds and runestones like the Jelling Stones.
Viking society
- Viking society was divided into social classes:
- Thralls (slaves)
- Karls (free farmers and craftsmen)
- Jarls (elite nobles)
- Kings
Around 90% of the population were farmers, not warriors. Only a minority participated in raids, usually financed and organized by jarls.
The Viking Age is traditionally dated from 793 CE, marked by the raid on Lindisfarne, to 1066 CE, ending with the battles of Stamford Bridge and Hastings.
It was the development of advanced Viking ships that made long-distance travel, trade, and raids possible. Without these ships, there would likely have been no Viking Age.
How do we know about the Vikings?
- Most written sources about the Vikings come from:
- Christian monks
- Byzantine and Islamic travelers
- Later Icelandic sagas
Combined with archaeology—ships, graves, runestones, and settlements—these sources allow us to reconstruct Viking life with surprising detail.
This video is a foundational introduction to Viking history, separating myth from reality and explaining who the Vikings actually were.
Related article:
skjalden.com/who-were-the-vikings
Social:
Facebook: facebook.com/Skjaldenspage
Website: skjalden.com
Music credit:
Thanks to Danheim for allowing use of the song Vanheimr
Danheim YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCLTOYVwu-M-MnfOJDKIFn0Q
#Vikings #VikingAge #NorseHistory #Scandinavia #VikingCulture
