What were Viking battles like?

• Poor Viking warriors did not wear much armour. They fought using long swords, axes and wooden shields.

• The Vikings built fast longships for raiding and war. As they could sail in shallow water, they could travel up rivers.

• The last Viking battle was the Battle of Stamford Bridge in AD1066.

• Viking warriors fought using long swords and axes. A good sword was handed down from father to son and had a groove down the blade to make it light.
• Poor Vikings did not wear much armour. Most had a round wooden shield for protection.
• They believed that Odin, the god of war protected them and that they didn't need armour.
• Most Vikings wore helmets made from leather or metal.
• Vikings formed a ‘shield-wall’ where they locked together side-by-side, shields in front, and pushed their enemy back.

The Vikings were skilled shipbuilders and built fast dragon ships and longships for raiding and war.

A ship carried everything needed at sea – drinking water, dried meat to eat, tools, weapons, and furs to keep warm. Men slept on the deck, so they could row easily when the wind dropped.

They also had slower passenger and cargo ships called ‘knorrs’. They built smaller boats too, for fishing or short trips.

• Viking longships could sail in shallow water so they could travel up rivers as well as across the sea.
• In a raid, a ship could be hauled up on a beach.
• The Vikings could jump out and start fighting, and then make a quick getaway if they were chased.

• The Battle of Stamford Bridge in September 1066 was the last major Viking battle in England.
• It was between King Harald of Norway and Tostig and King Harold of England.
• King Harold won the battle.

Have a look at the thinking points below and think about your answer to each question. You could even write them down on a piece of paper or discuss them with somebody else if you want to.

• How did Viking warriors fight?

• Why do you think Viking warriors formed a shield-wall?

• Why were longships built to sail in shallow water?

Click on the labels below to find out more about a Viking warrior’s weapons and armour.

Click on the labels below to find out more about the parts of the a Viking long ship.

Are you a parent, carer or teacher? Take a look at some of the links below with your children on KS2 History which are packed full of knowledge, videos, quizzes and activities.