Significant Viking people
Eric The Red
Eric the Red
Eric was a Viking explorer who was the first European in Greenland. He sailed from Iceland in 982 and led a group of colonists to Greenland in 986. Eric's father was Thorvald Asvaldsson. Eric was born and raised in Norway. The reason his name was 'Eric the Red' because of his red hair, red beard and his bad temper. When Eric was around 14 years old he had to leave Norway with his family and a few others because his father had killed a few people and was forced to leave so they settled in Iceland. After his death of his father he married a lady named Thordhild Jorunsdottir. Because of Eric's temper his family had to move again because of an argument which caused Eric murdering the neighbour's family. The next summer, Eric returned to Iceland to get back some things from his neighbour which didn’t want Eric back so Eric killed him and his two sons. The effect for that was, the local Thing forbidden him for three years. So he went on a journey. After three or four years, Eric and his settlers finally found new land which he called Greenland.
Harald Haardraade
As the fame of the Vikings spread throughout Europe, many kings paid Vikings to work in their armies. The Byzantine Emperor had an elite fighting force of Vikings called the Varangian guard. Harald or Hard –nose was a famous member of the Guard, who later became king of Norway. He was the last Viking to land win an army in England. He made an impact because he was a hero to them.
The Normans
Norwegian prince called Rolf (Rollo) invaded northern France with mixed (mainly Danish) Viking Army. The French king, Charles the Simple, offered them an area of France, in return for peace. This area became known as Normandy (land of the North) Rolf and his followers soon settled and adopted many French ways, eventually forming a powerful nation in their own right. These significant people made an impact because the Vikings had dominated part of France and getting land.
Traders
In certain places the Vikings got food and goods by trading rather than by attacking and stealing property. They usually chose to trade rather than attack when the inhabitants were stronger or more organized and could defend themselves better. Viking traders travelled as far south as the black Sea trading their furs, jewellery and slaves for spices and wines. Traders really made an impact on the Vikings because these traders gave the Vikings what they needed to win wars.
Eric was a Viking explorer who was the first European in Greenland. He sailed from Iceland in 982 and led a group of colonists to Greenland in 986. Eric's father was Thorvald Asvaldsson. Eric was born and raised in Norway. The reason his name was 'Eric the Red' because of his red hair, red beard and his bad temper. When Eric was around 14 years old he had to leave Norway with his family and a few others because his father had killed a few people and was forced to leave so they settled in Iceland. After his death of his father he married a lady named Thordhild Jorunsdottir. Because of Eric's temper his family had to move again because of an argument which caused Eric murdering the neighbour's family. The next summer, Eric returned to Iceland to get back some things from his neighbour which didn’t want Eric back so Eric killed him and his two sons. The effect for that was, the local Thing forbidden him for three years. So he went on a journey. After three or four years, Eric and his settlers finally found new land which he called Greenland.
Harald Haardraade
As the fame of the Vikings spread throughout Europe, many kings paid Vikings to work in their armies. The Byzantine Emperor had an elite fighting force of Vikings called the Varangian guard. Harald or Hard –nose was a famous member of the Guard, who later became king of Norway. He was the last Viking to land win an army in England. He made an impact because he was a hero to them.
The Normans
Norwegian prince called Rolf (Rollo) invaded northern France with mixed (mainly Danish) Viking Army. The French king, Charles the Simple, offered them an area of France, in return for peace. This area became known as Normandy (land of the North) Rolf and his followers soon settled and adopted many French ways, eventually forming a powerful nation in their own right. These significant people made an impact because the Vikings had dominated part of France and getting land.
Traders
In certain places the Vikings got food and goods by trading rather than by attacking and stealing property. They usually chose to trade rather than attack when the inhabitants were stronger or more organized and could defend themselves better. Viking traders travelled as far south as the black Sea trading their furs, jewellery and slaves for spices and wines. Traders really made an impact on the Vikings because these traders gave the Vikings what they needed to win wars.