The Vikings, the Norse, England after Alfred the Great, and Hastings

This is a very popular topic, often used to teach the whole early medieval period. The Norse as settlers, raiders and traders. Post Alfred the Great, we can look at the Danish settlements and the Great Army, as well as the achievements of the Norse elsewhere in Europe, Iceland, Greenland, and America.

• Vikings or Norse? Why it is important?

• Pirates and Sea Kings, the coming of the Great Army

• The Norse as settlers, the Kingdom of York

• Life in a longhouse

• Trading and crafts – make a coin

• Runes – make a keyring and learn some Viking leatherwork

• Viking games and sport

• Lots of helmets, armour, and swords!

• The conquest of England by Wessex

• Anglo-Danish England

• 1066, Edward, the Harolds, and Norman William – The Battle of Hastings