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Viking raiders depended on the speed and manoeuvrability of their longships to carry out their deadly attacks.
As experienced seamen, the Vikings travelled the coastal waters of Western Europe, raiding prosperous targets and departing as quickly as they had arrived. The History of the Viking LongshipThe longship is probably the most recognised symbol of the Viking age. It sums up the power the Vikings held on the seas of Europe. So important was the longship in Viking society, Viking leaders often chose to be buried at sea in their own ship. Viking longboats were used for a number of purposes and were designed according to their intended purpose. The warship is the best known Viking boat. Warships were characterised by their fearsomely designed carved prows, usually featuring a hideous face. The largest longships could carry more than sixty rowers, as well as horses and dozens of soldiers. Longboats were also used for trade and exploration. The Viking Age was one of increasing long distance travel. Viking explorers may even have reached the shores of North America before the eleventh century. Trade ships tended to be shorter than warships; the purpose of a tradeship was to provide a fast journey using the least manpower. It was more important for the warship to be large, with a menacing air and the capacity to carry large numbers of men and horses. The Earliest Viking LongboatsThe first longboats were created at the end of the Ice Age, around 6,000BC. Animal skin was stretched over a wooden frame on the earliest boats and these designs have been found reflected in rock art of the time. These small boats were ideal for navigating fjords and but not robust enough for ocean travel. Later, more advanced boats were created using planks, fastened with iron rivets. One of the last additions in the evolution of longship design was the sail. This led to an increase in sailing power which made a sea journey faster, easier and safer. Much of what is known about Viking longboats is information gathered from partial and complete longboats which have been found within the last one hundred years. Two particularly significant and historically valuable finds were at Oseberg in Norway and Skuldelev, Denmark. Both these ships were plank-built and more than thirty metres long. The Use of the Viking Longship in Viking RaidsMost Viking raids took place between the eighth and tenth centuries. The raids seem to be linked to a rise in the population of the Scandanavian countries during this period, which may have put extra pressure on resources, encouraging some to seek their fortunes elsewhere. Most Viking raids were carried out by sea and happened at a fast speed. Because the ships were deliberately designed to be long and narrow, the raiders could pull up on a narrow beach or negotiate a river far inland. They would enter an area, grab valuables such as a jewellery, money and treasure and return to their ship before an effective defence could be raised. The goods which they stole were light and portable, perfect for transporting back on the return journey. These could be used for trade and bartering back at home. Many raids were carried out several times at the same location. Monasteries on the East coast of England were particularly vulnerable, with both Whitby and Lindisfarne being devastatingly attacked several times, with the first recorded raid at Lindisfarne in 793AD. In the first attack, many of the community’s monks were murdered or captured as slaves and most of the monastery’s treasures were taken. Despite their prowess on the seas, the Vikings preferred raids to sea battles. When they did face a sea battle, there were instances where up to one hundred ships were tied together, to present a formidable obstacle to the enemy. Whether as a single vessel, or as part of a group, the Viking longship was undoubtedly the most significant factor in the success of a Viking raid. The Vikings may have had access to a fearsome arsenal of weapons, but nothing could match the effectiveness of the Viking longship. SourceChartrand R, Durham K, Harrison M, Heath I The Vikings, Voyagers of Discovery and Plunder [Osprey Publishing, 2006]
The copyright of the article The Viking Longship in Early Middle Ages is owned by Rachel Bellerby. Permission to republish The Viking Longship in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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