Berkshire History for Kids: The Vikings

People from Across the Sea

The Vikings were the people of Scandinavia.
They lived across the North Sea, in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
They were excellent sailors and could travel great distances on the sea. Their ships had frightening dragons carved on the front.
They were also great warriors and were very violent in battle.
They raided England, Scotland & Wales for many years, murdering the people and stealing gold and jewels, particularly from monasteries.
The Vikings were Pagans.
In the 9th century, huge armies of Viking warriors invaded Britain. They took over most of the North of England and parts of Northern Scotland, but were driven out of Wales.
Their families joined them and they settled down as farmers.
Another Viking army invaded England in the 11th century. The English were defeated and the Viking leader, Canute, became King of England for a while.