Clothing
Vikings were fond of animals skins and wool for clothes. They also broadened the concept of women making beautiful clothes with weavers. Women typically wore long wool dresses. Men would wear pants with shirts of varying length. During Raids men would wear metal helmets but there would be no horns on the sides of them. Beanies were created by the vikings. To prevent getting a sore head on the ships they would use the pompom. We still carry this tradition even though it is no longer necessary.
Vikings loved jewellery, both men and women would commonly wear armbands, bracelets, rings, necklaces etc. Artefacts of these have still remained. It wasn’t uncommon for jewellery to be made of bones, leather and wood, which is very strange currently. The outer garment for men was constructed out of wool and woven into complex patterns and made in a way so little to no fabric is wasted. The chest and torso part of the garment is tightly fitting but the sleeves are free and don’t restrict any movement which proved to be beneficial to the Vikings during raids. Men’s necklines were high as low necklines were seen as feminine. Under the outer tunic, the inner tunic was made out of linen. This was to provide comfort.
The trousers were constructed in many different ways. They had a variety of simplicity and complexity.
Living Space
The homes for common vikings were generally rectangular shaped. They had a small hole above the fire so the home isn’t filled with smoke. Although most vikings kept their homes simple and minimalistic, they would get ornaments and souvenirs from their raids to bring back home.
They incorporated elements from other European places. This made their houses a mix of different cultures.
Diet
Unsurprisingly the viking diet consisted mostly of fish. During their sails they occupied their time collecting fish. They also had several different sources of protein. One of their favourites and most common was pork. Occasionally during special events horse meat kebabs would bless the tables.
The vikings ate huge portions so they had a big built. Women would generally prepare and serve the food. They had zero table manner and some historians say that the more gruesome they were at the table, it meant they loved it more.
Entertainment
Vikings didn’t live the lifestyle of all work, no play. they would often pass their time playing board games, gambling, playing dice and making toys for their childen. During feasts and festivals they would typically entertain themselves with rough sports. There favourite game was Hnefatafl and they took it with them to their voyages to Greenland, Iceland, Scotland and Ireland. It was fairly popular until the 12th century when Chess was introduced to them.
They also held many competitions in archery, stone throwing, sword play, wrestling and horse fighting. It was common for vikings to get injured and even killed as they played extremely roughly. Women would gather to watch but would not join in, whilst the children would play with their dolls and toys.
Vikings also introduced sarcasm to the world.
Beliefs and Religion
The vikings had a pagan religion. The believed in more than one god. They had nine viking realms called, Nifheim, Midgard, Asgard, Vanaheimr, Jotunheim, Alfheim, Svartalfheim, Muspelheim and Helheim. They had many giants, godesses, gods and humans that lived within them. This was put in extreme detail.
Coming to Peace
We Vikings have an awful reputation with your nation,
But when we’d finished plundering and pillages…
Made nice villages.
Any place name ending –thorpe or –kirk or –by was us, you see;
Scunthorpe, Ormskirk, Wetherby, Scarborough fair…
We named them, yeah.
We split your isles diagonally from south-east to north-west.
Our section called the Danelaw, King Alfred ruled the rest.
Think we’re scary? No don’t flee.
Conquered Saxons would find we
Settled and lived in harmony.
Vike-Eng-land.
Though we began as raiders
So well-planned,
You accepted us as traders.
We introduced some new terms;
Husband, gasp, egg, awkward, nag, leg.
More than fifty words to leave your lingo,
To your liking, thank a Viking.
Your little town of Swansea City
Named for our King Sweyn.
Waterford and Dublin;
Us old Norse Vikings again.
As farmers we made doubly sure
To respect agriculture.
With us, locals felt secure.
Norse-Scot-land;
Large parts of that whole region
Norse got land
Were improved by Norwegians.
London Bridge is falling down
The nursery rhyme comes from our time.
Vikings played key roles.
In 1014 it was pulled down
By Olaf Haraldsson,
You can call him Ol.
In a dispute with King Canute
Olaf’s side won.
Ethelred returned as king
And could be heard proclaiming
“Here’s to you, Olaf Haraldsson”.
Vike-Eng-land
We swapped our life of violence.
Norse-Scot-land
To enjoy the sound of silence.
There’s no doubt under Viking rule
Britain did improve-y
Feelin’ groovy
And that’s no lie
La-lie, la, la, lie.
Vikings 