Víking Age

The Viking Age, roughly from late 8th century to mid-11th century, was a period marked by Norse seafarers—known as Vikings—who explored, traded, and raided across Europe and beyond. Originating from Scandinavia (modern-day Norway, Sweden, and Denmark), Vikings are famous for their longships and daring expeditions. This era saw the establishment of settlements, cultural exchanges, and the beginning of medieval European transformation. The Viking Age ended as kingdoms centralized power, Christianization spread, and the Vikings' links to raiding diminished, transitioning into more settled, historically recognized societies.