10 things I already knew about the Vikings

The Vikings, a group of seafaring people from the Nordic regions, are well-known for their history and impact on Europe, particularly between the 8th and 11th centuries. While they had a reputation for being fierce raiders, the Vikings were also traders, explorers, and settlers. They hailed from what is now Denmark, Norway, and Sweden and embarked on expeditions across the seas. Their advanced seafaring skills allowed them to reach distant lands, including the British Isles, where they conducted raids and eventually established settlements.

Britain underwent significant changes between the end of Roman occupation and the year 1066. After the Romans withdrew from Britain in the early 5th century, the country faced a period of political fragmentation and the arrival of new settlers, such as the Anglo-Saxons. This era saw the emergence of several Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. The Viking Age, which began towards the end of the 8th century, introduced a new wave of change as Norse warriors raided and then settled in various parts of Britain, influencing the culture, language, and political landscape. This period of history was marked by warfare, cultural exchanges, and the eventual unification of England, which set the stage for the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of 1066.