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CHAPTER 20
Q&A
THE VIKINGS
GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF THE VIKING HOMELAND
-dense forests
-long rugged coastlines
-natural harbours in Sothern part (Jutland)
-large plains suitable for farming in South
-regions north of harbor not suitable for farming; consists of rocky soil and short
growing season
Who were the jarls and how were they selected?
-Viking jarls were military chiefs. Some were elected and some inherited the position.
Who were the Viking berserkers and why did they fight?
-They were warriors and fought to gain wealth, honor, and fame.
How did people in Scandinavia make a living?
-farming, fishing, and trading
What were some of the features of Viking towns?
-They had 2 main streets that ran along the water’s edge and were lined with booths.
-They were protected on their land side by mounds of earth surrounded by wooden walls with towers.
How did the Vikings use their natural resources?
-They built ships and houses with timber from the dense forests.
-Used the sea to navigate and trade.
-grew herbs and used them as medicines.
What were the Eddas?
-Written poems about the deeds of Viking gods.
What were some of the ways that the Vikings used runes?
-They used runes as letters to their language and as magic charms.
-Few people, except priests could understand or use
-They wrote the runes in metal and carved them in bone in the hope that it would bring good luck
What kind of education did the Viking children receive?
-Girls were taught household skills. Boys were taught to use the bow and arrow, and to be good
fighters. They memorized tales of heroes and gods and competed in games.
Why did many Vikings leave Scandinavia?
-villages became overcrowded and food shortages arose.
-kings start fighting with one another
Why did the Europeans fight the Vikings?
-Because they stole, destroyed homes, and killed/enslaved people.
What happened to the Danes who settled in England?
-Danes in England lost control of England after Canute died.
-Danes in France settled in Normandy and became Christians.
Why did many Vikings turn to the sea to make a living?
-Because the land was not very suitable for farming.
How did the Vikings plot the courses of their voyages?
-By the positions of the sun and stars.
How were the Viking houses protected from the winter?
-They designed their roofs in a way that they slanted deeply to shed the heavy winter
snows.
Why was their no central government in Scandinavia?
-Because the distance and the cold winters isolated the people.
How did the jarl become king?
-By seizing neighboring lands
What effect did the Vikings have on the Kievan Rus?
-they funded a settlement that became the Russian nation.
Why did the Vikings decide not to set a colony in North America?
-It was too far from home and the native Americans were a strong people.
LIVING IN LARGE VIKING HOUSEHOLD
-ADVANTAGES:
1. many people to help with work
2. protection
3. care for the sick
-DISADVANTAGES
1. blood feuds between large families
2. no privacy
3. payment of the fines charged to the family
LANGUAGE
Vikings spoke a language similar to that of the Germans
-later this one language developed into 4 : Danish, Norwegian ,Swedish, Icelandic
-when the Vikings accepted Christianity, they began to write their languages with the
Roman letters.