First Children Encyclopedia

The Vikings

It is called “Futhark” (“foo-thark”).^91

Viking homes

Viking families lived in houses made from wood,

stone, or turf. A hole was left in the roof to let out

smoke from the cooking fire. People sat on stools or

benches around the fire and slept on raised beds.

Iron and

wood spear

A small statue

of a Viking god

called Frey

Runes

The Vikings carved poems and

inscriptions using symbols called

runes. Each rune was made of straight

lines, so it was easy to carve them on

wood or stone.

Viking warriors
carried wooden
shields and wore
armour made
from leather or
chain mail.

Story-telling

To entertain each

other, the Vikings told

long stories about their

heroes, gods, and great

warriors. The stories

were called sagas.

Long

woollen

socks

Iron

sword

Goat-skin shoes

Warrior duty

Being a brave warrior

was very important to

the Vikings. They could

be called up to fight at

any moment, so they

always dressed

ready for battle.

Round

wooden

shield

Padded

leather

tunic

Helmet with

noseguard

Chain-mail

shirt

Swords and

spears were

used for

fighting.