Vikings Project

Misconceptions

Introductory Question

Question

How would you

describe the Vikings?

Possible Response

The Vikings are dirty, savage people

that were constantly raiding other

lands.

Correct Response

The Vikings were very clean and

spent most of their time farming.

One Nation?

• Most people think that the Vikings were a specific nation or people. This is

untrue however. There were many different groups of Vikings that were by a

chieftain who each ruled over a small area. The word "Viking" actually is a

word for a person participating in an expedition to sea.

Horned Helmets?

• The Vikings didn't wear horned helmets. Depictions from the early age don't

include horned helmets, and the only authentic Viking helmet that was

discovered was horn-free.

Dirty People?

• No. The Vikings used hygienic tools such as tweezers, razors, combs, and ear

cleaners which were all made from animal bones. They also bathed at least

once a week which was more than the average European.

Savages?

• Despite popular belief, most Vikings men were farmers. Only some were

raiders. When they were raiding it was indeed violent, although they only

raided when they could or needed to, not all the time as many believe. The

Vikings main goal was to establish trade and settle new lands. Also many

believe that the Vikings were hated around the world but that is only partly

true. Many did hate the Vikings but they were also admired for their strength

and were hired for protection.

Woman's Rights

• Viking girls got married as young as 12 and maintained the house while their

husbands worked or adventured. But still, the Viking women had more rights

than most other woman in the world had at the time. For example they could

inherit property, request a divorce, and reclaim their dowries if their

marriages ended.

Review Question

• What does the word

"Viking" refer to?

• Correct Response

A person participating in an

expedition to sea.

Sources:

1) http://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-14_u-175_t-474_c-1724/daily-life-of-norse-people/nsw/daily-life-of-

norse-people/medieval-and-early-modern-societies-vikings/the-viking-life

2) http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-vikings

3) http://listverse.com/2009/04/21/top-10-misconceptions-about-the-vikings