Rise+of+Viking+colony+research+notes

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 * __Notes on rise of Viking colony Sandy Truong__ **

** Events and Leaders ** -982-85 "Erik the Red" led first Viking colony in Greenland (Nearly lasted 500 years) -986 Erik settles in Brattahlid (today's Qassiarsuk) becomes center of the Eastern Settlement. (2 major settlements-Eastern and Western) -986 25 ships set out from Iceland in hopes of settling in new land. Only 14 make it safely -1000 Leif Eriksson (Erik's son) return to Greenland from Norway bringing along first Christian missionary. First Christian church on North American continent, Thjódhildur's Church, built at Brattahlid. -1000 Leif Eriksson discovers & names land in Canada: Helluland, Markland and Vinland. Becomes first person of European origin to set foot on North American mainland. -1124-26 Greenland becomes diocese of own -1261 Greenlandic Parliament acknowledges Norwegian King's supremacy & right to claim taxes. -1370 Trade with Norway slowly declines

**Climate and Geographic Factors** **-When Erik first discovered Greenland he was impressed by fertile, green valleys. Thus, the name. -Greenland use to be much warmer. Tall, green, plentiful forests. -Good grazing areas -Warm sea almost caused seals to disappear from southern Greenland** -Mild weather lasted from about 800 A.D. to 1300 A.D. -Two settlements in Greenland (Western and Eastern) -Open valleys and mountains covered with dwarf willow, birch, grasses, sedges etc.

Transportation and Weaponry ** -Sailing very popular for Vikings -Small ships used for short local travel -Long boat (powered by sail and oars) used to frighten enemies -Wealthy Vikings would have complete set of helmets, shields, chainmail shirt (small metal rings linked together to form a shirt. Used for armor), swords -Typical Viking more likely to fight with spears, shieds, seax (large knife), padded leather shirts fronted by iron breastplate -Bows used in opening of battle and over sea (considered less "honorable" than hand weapon -Unique for use of axes in battle - ** ** Iron very popular (mined on small-scale operations on individual farms ** ** used for household tools such as knives, scissors, sewing needles used for construction hardware such as nals, rivets used for military tools such as swords, spears, battle-axes, armor (such as breastplate). -Lances and Javelins also used alot -Viking longsword commonly used **

Agriculture and the Economy -Colony included 250 farms-usually 20 people per farm -Vegetable diet also included: Berries, edible grasses, sea weed -Grew livestock -Farmed and domesticated: cows, sheep, goats, pigs and horses -Very important crop was barley -Less important crops: Cereal oats, wheat, rye; vegatable cabbage, onions, peas, beans -flax to make linen clothes -hop to brew beer -Species of highstatus: Pigs (bred for meat), cows (milk products), horses (transportation and prestige) Fish was also very popular -Animals hunted: Marine mammals (ex. seals), reindeer, moose, small land mammals, sea birds, and ducks, and auks, and freshwater birds -Established dairy and sheep farm -Iron used for agricultural tools such as plows, shovels, axes, sickles -Economic integration (involving both time and space): different activities at different times, different farms specialized in producing different things to share with other farms.

Socio-Political Structure -F ormer Norwegian nationalist/fascist party -Early social system brought from Scandinavian-Heirarchy (different levels/social classes) -Greenland societies never developed developed kings of their own -Power remained in hands of military aristocracy of chiefs only ones who could afford own boats and full set of livestalk (including cows, sheep, goats and etc.) -Chiefs competitive with one another (motivated to oncrease owns prestige) -Use amount of Viking symbolism combined Roman symbolism & imagery widely in propaganda and aesthetical approach -Many rules developed from religion -Worshipped a pantheon of multilpe gods and goddessess (in earlier years) -Eventually converting to Christianity -Cooporation for ones working on same farm needed -Cheiftain expected to: protect rights and welfare of supporters take supporter’s side in legal and other disputes share supplies in time of famine -Cheiftains would try to gain popularity by bribing or giving offerings to supporters and etc. as well as violence against their competition (battle and etc.) -Strong followers of religion

Art, Literature and Music ** -Boats and religious buildings played big part in Viking art -Entire keel of boat made from a trunk of a tree -Keel of boat usually long and extended. -Worked with direction of wood fibres to make boat strong -Figure heads of boats were decorated as dragons for Norse gods such as Thor and Odin, and named long serpent, raven of the mind and etc. -Vikings written language was in stone -Built churches, monasteries, nunneries and a cathedral (boasting an imported bronze bell and greenish tinted windows) ** -Churches lots of detail and design. -Boats also have lots of detail and design -Art usually functional and symbolic (drinking horns, body armour, pagan icons, paddles, objects used for viking everyday life) -Art work usually portable -Wood carving as sculptures display skill -Metal work high quality & influenced and influenced by Celtic Metal work art. -Early art work focused on jewellery and weapons (crafts men later known for silver work and runestones) -small-scale carvings in amber, jet, bone, walrus ivory, & occasionally wood. -Viking interests in poetry and story-telling -Lots of art work involving images of abstract animals

The Rise of the Viking Colony at Greenland by Sandy Truong