Traders or RAiders?
This seems to be the question everyone is asking. Were the Vikings traders or raiders? Most people would say raiders, without thinking twice, as most facts hint towards raider. The Viking traditional reputation says that they were ruthless, vicious, bloodthirsty raiders but was the trading aspect of their life? Since archaeologist finds, the facts hint towards the Viking lifestyle being altogether more complex and different than just being simply a trader or a raider. There are many arguments for both sides of this question and all the evidence and facts leads us to the conclusion that a Viking is unable to be categorised into either a trader or a raider. They are both.
Trader
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Raider
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Raid
The earliest documented raids by the Vikings began in 793 in Lindesfarne, England.
Historians distinguish three phases to the raids.
The first phase of attacks occurred from 790-840. The Vikings used shallow draught longships, which were ideal for surprise raids on coastal locations that struck terror into their victims. The fleets were small and quick. The attacks were usually seasonal and isolated in small bands. These attacks began along the coastal cities in England and France and continued down along the river communities. Favourite places included trading centres, where the Vikings could obtain the resources they needed.
During the second phase, 841-875, the raids increased in number, size, intensity and speed. By 851, the fleet ships had increased from 3 ships to 350 ships per raiding party. The Vikings arrived, unexpectedly, by plundering, burning, killing or enslaving the inhabitants and then leaving the conquered lands. This war tactic accounted for the Vikings' great success in this period. Gradually, the Viking attacks moved from the West Coast to the Mediterranean Sea. The Vikings formed the "Great Army" that consisted of thousands of individuals, with the leaders continually changing, and different bands raided different areas. The war-bands increased in size, and each war-band fought for itself. Occasionally, the armies even fought against each other. As they expanded their conquests, the invaders also began to leave their ships and travel on foot or on horseback.
In the third phase between the years of 876-911, the Vikings, along with their Great Army, continued to plunder on both sides of the Channel and began to colonize and settle in lands they had raided.
The earliest documented raids by the Vikings began in 793 in Lindesfarne, England.
Historians distinguish three phases to the raids.
The first phase of attacks occurred from 790-840. The Vikings used shallow draught longships, which were ideal for surprise raids on coastal locations that struck terror into their victims. The fleets were small and quick. The attacks were usually seasonal and isolated in small bands. These attacks began along the coastal cities in England and France and continued down along the river communities. Favourite places included trading centres, where the Vikings could obtain the resources they needed.
During the second phase, 841-875, the raids increased in number, size, intensity and speed. By 851, the fleet ships had increased from 3 ships to 350 ships per raiding party. The Vikings arrived, unexpectedly, by plundering, burning, killing or enslaving the inhabitants and then leaving the conquered lands. This war tactic accounted for the Vikings' great success in this period. Gradually, the Viking attacks moved from the West Coast to the Mediterranean Sea. The Vikings formed the "Great Army" that consisted of thousands of individuals, with the leaders continually changing, and different bands raided different areas. The war-bands increased in size, and each war-band fought for itself. Occasionally, the armies even fought against each other. As they expanded their conquests, the invaders also began to leave their ships and travel on foot or on horseback.
In the third phase between the years of 876-911, the Vikings, along with their Great Army, continued to plunder on both sides of the Channel and began to colonize and settle in lands they had raided.
Trade
The vikings established and engaged in an extensive trading network throughout Europe, influencing its economic development. The Vikings were unfamiliar with coinage and created a bullion economy instead, which is based on gold bars, silver bars, other precious metal bars and ingots. Silver, which was most popular, circulated in the form of bars, ingots jewellery and ornaments. Traders carried small scales, enabling them to measure the weight very accurately. This allowed it to have a very precise system of trade and exchange.
The Viking ships designs were in important factor to their success as merchants. Imported goods included:
In exchange, the Vikings exported a large variety of goods, including:
The Vikings traveled by sea to England, France, Spain and Portugal, then into the Mediterranean to Italy. By river, they travelled across to Russia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Within the Vikings, clans would often trade with others.
As all the information above concludes, vikings cannot be categorised into just a trader or raider, which is why they are both.
The vikings established and engaged in an extensive trading network throughout Europe, influencing its economic development. The Vikings were unfamiliar with coinage and created a bullion economy instead, which is based on gold bars, silver bars, other precious metal bars and ingots. Silver, which was most popular, circulated in the form of bars, ingots jewellery and ornaments. Traders carried small scales, enabling them to measure the weight very accurately. This allowed it to have a very precise system of trade and exchange.
The Viking ships designs were in important factor to their success as merchants. Imported goods included:
- Spices: they were obtained from Chinese and Persian merchants, who met with the Vikings in Russia. The Norsemen used homegrown spices and herbs like caraway, thyme, horseradish and mustard, but most importantly cinnamon.
- Glass: this material was valued among the Vikings. The imported glass was made into beads for decoration.
- Silk was a very important item and acquired from Byzantium and China. It was valued by many European cultures, and the Vikings used it to show their status, such as wealth and nobility.
- Wine: this beverage was imported from France and Germany for the wealthy.
In exchange, the Vikings exported a large variety of goods, including:
- Amber: the fossilised resin of a pine tree. It was frequently found on the North Sea and Baltic coastline and was worked into beads and ornamental objects before being traded.
- Fur: Furs of pine martens, foxes, bears, otters and beavers were exported because it provided warmth.
- Cloth and Wool: Because of the cold climate, the Vikings gradually became experts in spinning and weaving, allowing them to export woollen cloth of high quality.
- Down was collected and exported, which was used for bedding and quilted clothing.
- Slaves, or "thralls" in Old Norse, were captured during the Viking raids, among them many monks and clergy. They were sold to Arab merchants in exchange for silver.
- Hunting Birds
- Weapons
- Walrus Ivory
- Fish
- Wax
- Salt
The Vikings traveled by sea to England, France, Spain and Portugal, then into the Mediterranean to Italy. By river, they travelled across to Russia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Within the Vikings, clans would often trade with others.
As all the information above concludes, vikings cannot be categorised into just a trader or raider, which is why they are both.
The vikings: Documentary on the Life, culture and legacy of the Vikings
Bibliography
- Ritchie, Anna, Dr. "Terror From the Sea." BBC News. BBC, 17 Feb. 2011. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/vikings/loot_01.shtml>.
- "Viking Dig Reports." BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/vikings/dig_reports_01.shtml>.
- "Vikings as Traders." Teachers Note's. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. <http://www.rmg.co.uk/sites/default/files/media/pdf/Teachers_notes5.pdf>.
- "Vikings." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Apr. 2014. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikings>.
- "Vikings Raid European Mainland:." Viking Raids: 800-900. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. <http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/westeurope/VikingRaids.html>.
- The Vikings : Documentary on the Life, Culture, and Legacy of Vikings (Full Documentary). YouTube. YouTube, 24 July 2013. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.
Made By: Eleanor Keeler and Fé van den Broek