The Vikings

In the ninth and tenth centuries, Western Europe was troubled by invasions from almost all sides, Muslims in the south, the Magyars, a people from western Asia, in the east, and the Vikings from the north.  

Most disturbing and best-known of the time were the invasions by the Vikings, who were the Northmen or Norsemen of Scandinavia—Danes, Swedes, and Norwegians. The Vikings were violent and fearsome warriors and pirates, who loved adventures, explorations, and invasions. They were also traders, constantly in search for new venues of trade. The famous Viking ships, which were long and narrow and looked like dragons, were the best and fastest of the period. Their shallow draft enabled them to sail up European rivers and attack places at some distance inland. They sacked villages and towns, destroyed churches, kidnapped women, and easily defeated small local armies. Their attaches were often successful because they struck unexpectedly. By the time locals could organize their defense, the Vikings were gone already.

During the ninth century, violent attacks by the Vikings gradually came to an end. Settlement dominated their activities. At first, they settled on islands in the Seine and at the mouths of some rivers. Some of them settled in large areas of eastern and western Europe, including English Isles, parts of modern France and German, and Russia. From then on, the Vikings became much more interested in acquiring land and establishing trade. As they were assimilated, many Vikings converted to Christianity. Back home in Scandinavia, kingdoms were established that were similar to the European kingdoms to the south.