Where were the Vikings homeland?
Scandinavia, today known as Norway, Sweden and Denmark, were the Viking homelands. The world Viking comes from the old Scandinavian world Vik, which means a narrow bay besides the sea. That is where the Vikings lurked, ready to set off on raids.
All kind of treasures in churches were the favourite targets because they were full of gold crosses and holy books covered with jewels. The Vikings also attacked farms and villages, kidnapped the people to sell them as slaves.
The Vikings were good sailors they sailed for thousands of miles in it small wooden boats. Around 1000 A.D. a bold adventurer named Leif Ericsson sailed westwards from Greenland until he reached Vinland (New Foundland). He built a farmstead there but had a quarrel with the local people and decided to turn home.
Viking society was divided into different classes based on wealth and land ownership. A King, or chief, ruled over each community. Below him came the rich noblemen, or Jarls. The Kings and Jarls were the most powerful land-owners. Below them came the freeman, or Karls. They included farmers, merchants and craftsmen. At the bottom of the ladder were the slaves, who were known as Thralls.
