Vikings questions

Draken Harald Hårfagre is the largest Viking ship built in modern times. It is a ship that combines ocean-crossing sailing capabilities with a warship's use of oars. The longship is 35 metres (115 ft) long with a beam of approximately 8 metres (26 ft) and a displacement of about 95 metric tons. It is equipped with 50 oars.

The magic spear of Odin - Gungnir, always hit the target and killed the victim.

Leif Erikson was a Norse explorer from Iceland. According to the Sagas of Icelanders, he established a Norse settlement at Vinland, tentatively identified with the Norse L'Anse aux Meadows on the northern tip of Newfoundland in modern-day Canada. Later archaeological evidence suggests that Vinland may have been the areas around the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and that the L'Anse aux Meadows site was a ship repair station.

In addition to racing over the ground, Odin’s mighty steed can also fly through the air and swim through water. None of the elements slow him down. Famously, he is even able to ferry Odin safely in and out of Hel, the realm of the dead.

The Siege of Paris of 885–886 was part of a Viking raid on the Seine, in the Kingdom of the West Franks. The siege was the most important event of the reign of Charles the Fat, and a turning point in the fortunes of the Carolingian dynasty and the history of France.

According to Norse Mythology, Odin hang himself for nine days on the tree called Yggdrasil.

Sweyn Forkbeard the King of Denmark and Norway in 1013 after many tries finally has conquered British soil and announced himself as the King of England. Another Vikings that became the King of England were his son Cnut and William the Conqueror.

n 793, a Viking raid on Lindisfarne caused much consternation throughout the Christian west. The amazement of the English at the raids from the sea must have been matched by the amazement of the raiders at such (to them) vulnerable, wealthy and unarmed settlements.

The most popular Vikings' weapons were axes, not because of greater efficiency, but due to higher availability. Only a few could afford swords, which were very expensive - much harder to forge and required much better iron. As to hammers, they weren't used in Scandinavia almost at all.

Popular culture picture of a Viking wearing horned helmet developed in 19th century inspired by archaeological findings that originated from Bronze Age much earlier to Vikings' times.