What Happened to the Vikings?

Contrary to popular belief, the Vikings were not a blood-linked tribe or united by any history. Most of the population, though, hailed from the areas now known as Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Nevertheless, the common ground they shared had little to do with where they came from, but rather what they believed in. 

That is, they did not conduct themselves in the manner of “civilized” Europe, and therefore defined themselves through opposition, by, most notably, rejecting Christianity and its values. However, the reason these people ventured from their homelands to join a band of raiders, bandits, and seafarers is not entirely apparent. Yet, their practices suggest that, at least at first, they were not interested in procuring land, but rather riches. 

In Scandinavia, before these men took to raiding and pillaging, they were landowners, clan heads, and farmers. Overseas, these men took their extensive manpower, bolstered by natural warrior physiques and expectations of what it meant to exist in a tribe, and applied their talents to adventure and fortune seeking. 

Europe in the eighteenth century A.D. was a place of rapid expansion, particularly with the trading centers—such as those on the Continent and in England.  In these trading markets, Scandinavian fur was highly sought after. Thus, through trading with the Europeans, Scandinavians learned about the technological advancements and booming wealth, as well as the rampant conflicts between the kingdoms. 

The predecessors of the Vikings—pirates who attacked merchant ships in the Baltic Sea— would later use this knowledge when they began ravaging in the North Sea and beyond. In fact, the Vikings' name stems from these origins: víkingr, meaning “pirate” in the early Scandinavian languages.

Lasting from 800 to 1050 CE, the Viking Age was a period during the Middle Ages, characterized by extensive raiding, colonizing, and conquest throughout Europe and into North America. An attack on the monastery of Lindisfarne, known as the Holy Island, in England in 793 AD, is said to mark the beginning of not only the era, but the lasting struggle between the Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings for control of Europe. 

Although the monastery was not completely destroyed, precious ornaments were stolen, and monks were killed. What followed on June 9th was documented: “heathen men came and miserably destroyed God’s church on Lindisfarne, with plunder and slaughter.” The attack shook the European religious world’s foundation, particularly because it attacked the heart of where religion began in what was then the Northumbrian kingdom.

Unlike other raiders, it was clear the Vikings had no respect for Christianity and the institutions that held faith, such as monasteries like this one, that were left unguarded. At the time, they embraced a pagan and polytheistic Old Norse religion, with roots in Denmark around 500 BCE. It wasn’t until the 8th century CE, when Christianity came to Scandinavia, that the older tradition faded. 

Two years later, the Vikings would continue their hit-and-run trend, striking the island monasteries of Skye and Iona in the Hebrides, as well as Rathlin off the coast of Ireland. They pushed into the coastal regions of Britain and Ireland for several decades, and only ventured into continental Europe for the first time in 799 with an attack on the island monastery of St Philibert’s. In 840, following the death of Louis the Pious, emperor of Frankia, which today encompasses France and Germany, his son would actually recruit the Vikings’ help in a struggle over power with his brothers. 

Soon after, other Finkish rulers offered fortune in exchange for the Vikings' protection. And so began a long-standing deal with many regions of Frankia, further establishing the clan’s fearsome position throughout Europe. 

In the meantime, during the mid-ninth century, the Vikings continued to not only attack Ireland, Scotland, and England, but also began establishing settlements in these regions. 

Particularly in Scotland, through the Northern Isles and into the mainland, the Vikings managed to focus their control. In Ireland, they founded the first trading towns through  Dublin, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow, and Limerick, and used this base as a means of launching attacks throughout the rest of the country. King Charles the Bald concentrated his efforts in West Frankia on expelling the Vikings, and as such, they began focusing their attacks more on England. 

Although the Viking culture was Scandinavian, society in these settlements was divided into three classes: the Jarls (aristocracy), Karls (lower class), and Thralls (slaves). It was possible for Karls to move upwards in society, but not Thralls. Despite being considered barbaric throughout Europe for their practices, the Vikings are said to have maintained excellent hygiene and appearance. Particularly with their customs of braiding hair, wearing fine cloaks, and expertly curated jewelry. 

Most Scandinavians, and therefore Vikings who were not at sea, were primarily farmers, but there were also blacksmiths, merchants, weavers, musicians, craftsmen, and many more occupations. A main source of income came in the form of amber, that is, fossilized tree resin, which was traded in abundance. 

Given that the people the Vikings stole from and killed were Christian, it was not against the Norse religion that they followed. On the other hand, if the people they raided were Norse, then it would be against their faith to do so. The Vikings had their own society, with its own rules, that set them apart from the rest of Europe, which was not only their greatest strength in the early days but would also be the cause of their eventual demise. 

The end of the Vikings is largely considered to be marked by the cessation of their raids. After the defeat of the Norwegian king Harald Hardrada at the hands of King Harold Godwinson of England at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, the Viking reign in effect ended. Hardrada’s death marked the Vikings’ last effort to invade England, and, compounded with other factors, put a stop to their ambition.

A major component contributing to their gradual decline was the larger adoption of Christianity. At the time of the events of 1066, all of the Scandinavian kingdoms were Christian, and therefore assumed their beliefs—namely, not attacking those of the same faith. Furthermore, the communities the Vikings previously depended on for raids were now more established and better able to defend themselves.

The Norse religion was the last major belief system of the pagan religions. Although it no longer exists, much of the Viking legacy was absorbed and continues to live in today’s society, particularly in literature.