The Garden Of Babble-On

From Vikingland themepark

The Vikings
They were strong-willed and fearless, they thirsted for new conquests - and they could be dangerous for those who were not their friends. Fortunately, however, that was nearly a thousand years ago.

Today the Vikings are just a reminder from a turbulent period characterised by warlike aggression and an unlimited wanderlust. We can shudder now over this violent past, but we must also admire the Vikings for their great seamanship. They built fast and seaworthy ocean-going vessels and they were brilliant seafarers, far ahead of their time. The Vikings sailed their elegant long-ships south from Scandinavia towards the countries of the Mediterranean. They followed Russians mighty rivers from north to south arriving eventually at the magnificent city of Constantinople, today´s Istanbul. Everywhere they turned up when least expected, and then they struck mercilessly. When the war-cries rang forth from these rampaging warriors there were few who dared to meet them with drawn sword.

However, the Vikings were not only fighters and seafarers. They were also peaceful farmers and traders. On their farms they brought in the harvest, very often under harsh weather conditions. The Vikings also distinguished themselves as fine craftsmen. However, because this side of their activities was less dramatic, it has been accorded less attention in the history books. In Oslo there are many ways of becoming better acquainted with the Vikings, their times, and, not least, with their ocean-going vessels.

A number of their magnificent long-ships can be admired at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo (Vikingskipshuset). The graceful lines of these ships convey a perfection and an elegance that one does not associate with merciless conquerors. Moreover, it is when one stands before these ships that one begins to understand the magnitude of the achievement of Leiv Eiriksson and his men when they sailed across the seas to discover America. The 24 metre long Gokstad ship (Gokstadskipet) is the largest of the preserved Norwegian Viking ships. It has a displacement of 30 tons and was probably used for overseas trade. The University Museum of Cultural Heritage (Historisk Museum) also paints a vivid picture of the times of the Vikings, which lasted from approximately 800 to 1050 A.D.

The viking ship was well-suited to warfare

From the Viking Ship Museum

The elegant lines of the Viking ship give a good indication of the ship´s speed and maneuverability, and how these features could be turned to advantage during sea-battles, plundering raids and trading expeditions to distant lands. Also other aspects of the vessel´s construction were decisive. The keel of the Viking ship gave the ship a very shallow draught. The ship was thus not dependent on deep-water harbours but could simply be drawn up on the beach.

The Vikings were therefore able to strike quickly and unexpectedly. Under cover of darkness they were able to come ashore unnoticed, draw their boats up on the beach and then attack. Their ships gave the Vikings great range and striking power, and were the primary reason for the success of their plundering raids, trading expeditions to distant destinations and their ability to occupy parts of the European continent

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