Life in Scandinavia Flashcards
Denmark
Gentle hills
Highest point is 170 metres above sea
Nowhere more than 30 miles from the coast
Fertile land
Norway
Thousands of offshore islands
High mountains
Highest point is 2400 metres above sea
Small areas of cultivable land
Sweden
Largest Viking land
Thick forests
Faces towards Baltic sea and Russia
Houses
Longhouses with thatched roofs
Hearth in the middle for warmth and cooking
Dark and smoky
Food
Farm animals provided eggs and meat
Wheat didn’t grow so rye and oats
Grew vegetables around houses
Lots of fish from the sea
Collected wild buries
Hunting
Tools and Equipment
Lots made out of wood
Iron ore commonly used
Bone and antler in household equipment
Thralls
Slaves
Captured in war or forced through debt
Did all heavy work on the farm
Could buy freedom or be freed by their master
Bondi
Freemen who owned land
Had a say in local matters
Typically had three or four Bondi
Would be expected to fight
Jarls
Important landowners and warriors
The chief of Bondi in the area
Looked after Jarl’s needs
Lead warriors into battle and rewarded them
Kings emerged from Jarls
Women
Couldn’t be Bondi or Jarls
Expected to obey father or husband
Cared for children and elderly
Made medicines and food
Oversaw farms while the men were away
Oseberg Ship carving
Wooden carving
Very intricate
Similar to Broa hose bridal mount
Mammen axe head
Made out of iron and inlaid with silver
Decorated on both sides
Used in parades
Broa horse bridle mount
Decorated around 800AD
Found with a wealthy Viking Jarl
Similar to Oseberg Ship carving
Runestones
Earliest date to 400s but mainly made in 9th and 10th century
Used to leave messages
Ships
Developed skills of seafaring and boat building
Kvalsund ship made 690AD
Used a sail and an oar
