Viking hiking


Until the end of VIII – beginning of IX centuries. Western Europe knew nothing about the Normans. When she faced them face to face, she became desperate, as she was the victim of their devastating raids that lasted throughout the 9th-11th centuries. It was these invaders that Western Europeans called Vikings.

Vikings were brave warriors. Dressed in chain mail and pointed helmets, armed with a battle ax or sword, a spear and a round shield, the Vikings swam in their ships to the estuaries of the rivers of France, England, Germany. They landed in the depths of these countries and unexpectedly attacked the towns there, villages and monasteries – for the sake of prey and glory. Vikings killed everyone, burned and plundered churches, monasteries. People were horrified at the mere mention of the Normans and turned to God with a prayer: “From the fury of the Normans, save us, Lord!”.

Initially, the Vikings attacked small armed guards, but eventually –

already whole armies. They conquered the island of Sicily from the Arabs, drove the Byzantines from the southern part of the Apennine peninsula and formed the Neapolitan kingdom there, or the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. In Northern France the Vikings-Danes founded the duchy of Normandy.

XII century. From the work of the medieval writer Robert Vasa “Roman about Rolloye”

“Rollon,” said the archbishop of Rouen, “change your behavior, give another way to your courage, become a Christian and pay homage to the king. Learn to live in peace and kill your fury, do not destroy his kingdom… He has a beautiful daughter of a noble and he wants to give her to you for marriage, and you will be given a dowry to the entire coastal country… Thus, you will live your annual income, without plunder. You will have many good impregnable castles and beautiful dwellings. Give only consent to three month truce… do not go to While plunder any ship or boat. You give good hostage for the treaty… “

Rollon listened to this appeal, he really liked it… He agreed

to a truce… became a vassal of the king… When he was supposed to kiss the king’s shoe, then, not wishing to bow, lifted his foot to his lips and overthrew the king. Everyone laughed at this, and Charles got up. With all he gave his daughter to Normandy…

Some of the stolen valuables of the Vikings were drowned in the sea, rivers, swamps, not hoping to get them later. Why did they do this? They believed that treasures bring good luck. For safe preservation and hid them in such inaccessible places.


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Viking hiking