Viking Raids and Targets:

  • Viking raids began in the 780s and 790s, targeting easy and wealthy monasteries in England, Scotland, Ireland, and surrounding islands.
  • The attacks on monasteries were initially successful due to their lack of defenses and the Vikings' reputation for fearlessness and brutality.
  • These early raids focused on quick hits, stealing valuable items, killing monks, desecrating altars, and causing panic and terror.
  • As word spread about the vulnerability of these targets, larger coordinated attacks from the Vikings became necessary as defenses hardened.
  • By the early 800s, more significant targets emerged as raiders faced stronger opposition from local forces.

Factors Contributing to Viking Raiding:

  • The Vikings' success can be attributed to several factors such as their superior naval technology with fast ships that could navigate rivers as well as open seas.
  • The establishment of trading centers or emporiums provided opportunities for plundering wealth and exchanging stolen goods.
  • Norse mythology's emphasis on bravery and glory in battle encouraged a fearless mindset among Viking warriors.
  • The decline of centralized authority in regions like Frankish Empire created opportunities for raiders to exploit weakened defenses.

Response by Local Communities:

  • Local communities often struggled to mount effective resistance against Viking raids due to the element of surprise and the Vikings' fearsome reputation.
  • Attempts at defense typically involved raising militias or gathering peasants who were ill-prepared compared to seasoned Viking warriors.
  • Monks tried to defend themselves using religious symbols like crucifixes but were largely outmatched by skilled Viking fighters.
  • Some areas responded defensively by fortifying their positions with walls or retreating from vulnerable locations. However, this led to abandonment or relocation of certain sites.

Escalation of Viking Attacks:

  • In the early 800s, Viking attacks intensified both in scale and intensity as they encountered greater resistance from fortified targets.
  • With Charlemagne's death and the subsequent fragmentation of the Carolingian Empire, defenses weakened, creating opportunities for Viking raiders.
  • The Vikings' role as both traders and raiders allowed them to gather intelligence on potential targets and exploit weaknesses in their defenses.
  • As Viking raids became more successful, they gained wealth and resources that attracted more participants, leading to an escalation of attacks.

Viking Raids in the 800s:

  • Attacks on major cities and trading centers:
  • In 840, Vikings sacked Rouen and began a series of assaults on Normandy.
  • In 843, they entered another French city and killed the bishop at the altar.
  • In 845, Vikings attacked Hamburg and Paris.

Multiple raids on French cities:

  • In 846, Vikings captured Bordeaux, plundered it, massacred its population, and burned it down.
  • Tours was pillaged multiple times in the years following.

Attacks on Wales and other regions:

  • A great naval armament arrived in West Wales in 834, joining forces with the locals to wage war against King Egbert of Wessex.
  • The Welsh joined Viking attacks against Egbert's rule in France.

Destruction of towns and monasteries:

  • Dorstad, a wealthy emporium at the fork of the Rhine, was attacked and burned by Danish Vikings in 834.
  • Limoges was sacked by Vikings in various years during this period.

Raiding as an economic opportunity:

  • Viking raids became annual events for some Scandinavians who pooled their resources into partnerships to buy ships for expeditions.
  • These raids offered economic opportunities that could change individuals' lives if successful.

Raiding rhythm and cultural expectations:

  • Viking raids became ingrained in the cultural practices of Scandinavia, with a specific time of year dedicated to raiding after planting seeds for farming.
  • The economic incentives of successful raids led to an annual cycle of preparing ships, going on raids, and returning before harvest season.

Different levels of Viking activity:

  • Higher level: Organized attacks resembling war between Danish kings and Frankish rulers targeting major cities and trading centers.
  • Mid-level: Wealthy Scandinavians forming partnerships to buy ships for expeditions, conducting raids as business ventures with shared profits.
  • Lower level: Individuals seeking economic opportunities by participating in raids that could change their lives if successful.

Viking Raids in the West:

  • Vikings raided coastal areas in the West, such as Britain and Ireland.
  • The raids were unpredictable and caught people off guard.
  • Vikings looted and plundered, taking valuables and food stores.
  • Naval raids were conducted to root out pirate bases, but stopping them was challenging.
  • Some Vikings began wintering at raided locations, leading to permanent settlements.

Viking Raids in the East:

  • Viking raids targeted the Byzantine Empire in the East.
  • The Rus tribe launched unexpected attacks on Constantinople and other cities along the coast.
  • These attacks caused terror among the Byzantines.
  • The Byzantines responded with diplomacy, state-building, and military actions.

Conversion to Christianity:

  • Similar to the West, Viking rulers were converted to Christianity by the Byzantines.
  • Conversion brought legitimacy and stability to their rule.
  • Infrastructure development and literacy improvement accompanied conversion efforts.

Feudalism as a Response:

  • Feudalism emerged as a response to Viking raids in some interpretations of history.
  • Decentralization through feudalism allowed for faster responses to Viking attacks.
  • Feudal lords or dukes were appointed to protect territories from future raids.

Impact on Society:

  • The response to Viking raids led to significant changes in surrounding societies.
  • Governance structures shifted towards feudalism during this period.

Military Organization and Response to Threats:

  • Romans and Byzantines organized their militaries to quickly deal with threats
  • Changes in military organization were a response to various threats, including Nordic raiders
  • Raiding, piracy, and brigandage were common problems along borders
  • Need for a flying column or relief force to respond quickly to threats

Challenges of Dealing with Raiders and Pirates:

  • Traditional raiders and pirates do not give authorities much trouble
  • Vikings are more like cornering a bear than catching a fox
  • Strategy involves cornering the bear, while tactics involve fighting the bear

Size of Battles in Early Middle Ages:

  • Average size of battles seems smaller compared to earlier eras
  • Battles that would be considered small in other places count as legitimate battles in Europe during this time period
  • European civilizations cannot support large armies like the Roman Empire could

Warrior Society vs. Specialized Military:

  • Viking society is a warrior society where every free man is a soldier
  • Other societies become more specialized, separating into different categories and specializations, including soldiers
  • In well-regulated militias, minimum standards make sense for collective defense

Equipment and Armor:

  • Franks have an arms industry exporting weapons and armor
  • Cost of equipment determines quality; better gear available to those who can afford it or specialize in warfare
  • Making armor such as chain mail requires significant effort and resources

Morale and Psychological Advantage:

  • Psychological intimidation plays a role on the battlefield
  • The Vikings have a fearsome reputation that impacts opponents' morale before combat even begins
  • Morale is important in warfare, affecting outcomes of battles

Special Abilities or Bonuses in Battle:

  • Viking warriors may possess bonuses such as fearlessness, fanaticism, and ferocity
  • Such bonuses may help equalize differences between armies with similar equipment and formations
  • The psychological advantage gained from these bonuses can impact the outcome of a battle

Viking Battle Tactics:

  • Viking armies form shield walls, a common formation in pre-modern warfare
  • Shield walls provide protection and can be used to advance or push opponents back
  • Vikings use spears, knives, swords, and axes in battle
  • Mobility is a key aspect of Viking military strategy

Untethered Nature of Viking Army:

  • Vikings have an untethered nature that defies traditional logistics and supply lines
  • Their mobility allows for rapid movement and ability to defy normal laws of supply lines during this time period

Berserkers and Women Warriors:

  • The idea of berserkers as frenzied warriors may be exaggerated or based on legends
  • Women warriors existed but were likely rare rather than common in Viking society

Tactics Against Light-Haired Peoples:

  • Byzantine sources provide insights into tactics against light-haired peoples like the Franks and Lombards
  • Byzantines advise avoiding pitched battles early on and using ambushes, stratagems, and delaying tactics instead
  • Exploiting weaknesses such as suffering from fatigue, discomforts of heat or cold, shortage of provisions can diminish their zeal

Challenges Faced by Light-Haired Peoples:

  • Light-haired peoples place great value on freedom and are bold in battle
  • They are impetuous, undisciplined, disobedient to leaders, and pay little attention to external security measures
  • Heat, cold,rain,lack of provisions (especially wine), postponement of battle can affect their performance
  • Attacks at night by archers can inflict damage due to disorganization during camp setup

Unknown Aspects of Viking Warfare:

  • There is still much that is unknown about Viking warfare due to limited sources and reliance on sagas and poetry
  • Detailed information about tactics, formations,and battlefield strategies is scarce
  • Impressions of noise, chaos, and violence are conveyed in poetry and the names of the Valkyries
  • Viking military tactics may have been influenced by regional similarities and cultural values
  • Further research is needed to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Viking warfare

Viking Raids and Strategies:

  • Vikings relied on rivers and sea transport systems for raids, targeting areas where rivers and seas intersected.
  • Viking hosts were fluid in nature, with members joining and leaving as they pleased.
  • Viking armies split up into flotillas and sailed off in different directions according to individual choices.
  • Tactics resembled those of gangs or looters rather than organized military forces.

Conquest of Northumbria:

  • The Great Heathen Army arrived in England in 865 to initiate a sustained assault on Northumbria.
  • Led by leaders such as Ivar the Boneless, Abba, and Halfdan, the army sought revenge for their father Ragnar Lothbrok's death.
  • The conquest marked a shift from small-scale raids to a coordinated effort at territorial control.

Battle of Ashdown:

  • In 871, the Great Heathen Army faced King Æthelred and Alfred at Ashdown.
  • Saxons overcame the Vikings despite initial defeat at Wilton shortly before this battle.

Siege of Paris:

  • From 885 to 886, Vikings besieged Paris with demands for passage through the city.
  • Bishop Joslin and Count Odo defended Paris against Viking leader Siegfried's demands.
  • Despite repeated Viking assaults using fire as a weapon, defenders held strong.

Charles the Bald's Response:

  • Charles implemented measures such as creating fortified bridges and establishing ready reaction forces to counter Viking attacks.

Legacy of Alfred the Great:

  • Alfred's victory at Ashdown solidified his reputation as a resilient leader who resisted Viking advances.
  • He played a crucial role in defending against Viking invasionsand promoting educationand law enforcement.

Challenges Faced by Charles the Fat:

  • Charles faced challenges dealing with Viking attacks due to political instability within his empire.

Impact of Women in Battle:

  • Women accompanied Vikings to battle, playing various roles including heckling enemies or providing support and encouragement.

Viking Siege of Paris:

  • Vikings besieged Paris for 11 months
  • Defenders taunted and forced Viking warriors back into battle
  • Small-scale attacks occurred between major assaults, with individuals scaling walls and defenders engaging them
  • Count Odo sought help from Emperor Charles the Fat to confront the Vikings
  • Royal camp set up near Viking enclosure in Paris, leading to disease as bodies rotted in the sun
  • Deal struck between Charles and Vikings, disappointing people of Paris who expected punishment for their tormentors
  • Event contributed to fall of Charles' empire and rise of King Odo

Economic Costs of Viking Attacks:

  • Historian Dan Jones estimates that 14 percent of all silver pennies minted by Frankish Empire went toward paying off Vikings for protection alone during the 800s
  • Does not include money directly stolen or looted by Vikings, defense costs, lost productivity, or emotional costs caused by death or enslavement due to raids

Challenges Faced by Viking Opponents:

  • By 900, both King Odo in Franceand Alfred in Anglo-Saxon England had died
  • Despite previous successes against Vikings, opponents like King Odo made deals with them later on
  • Vikings consolidated into larger political and economic entities,becoming stronger

Viking Culture Under Siege:

  • By 900,Viking culture,belief systems,and way of life were under threat
  • They saw themselves as an endangered species fightingto preserve Germanic language pagan traditions
  • The role of elves,trolls,sorcery,and female spiritsin Viking worldview unclear but may have played a significant part

Future Outlook:

  • Period from 900s onwards marks new phase in Viking history where conversations about them become more prominent
  • Part two will explore troubling aspects that give insight into the Viking soul and delve into the material that reveals the challenging, difficult, and strange aspects of Viking culture. This will provide a deeper understanding of their motivationsand beliefs.