Vikings

The Vikings were a seafaring people from the late eighth to early 11th century who founded a name for themselves as traders, explorers and warriors. They discovered the Americas long before Columbus and could be found as far east as the distant reaches of Russia. While these people are often attributed as savages raiding the more civilized nations for treasure and women, the motives and culture of the Viking people are much more diverse. These raiders also facilitated many changes throughout the lands from economics to warfare.

The Viking Age

Many historians commonly associate the term "Viking" to the Scandinavian term vikingr, a word for "pirate." However, the term is meant to reference oversea expeditions, and was used as a verb by the Scandinavian people for when the traditionally takes time out of their summers to go "a Vikings."

The Viking Age references the earliest recorded raid in the 790s until the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Vikings raiding their coasts. The farthest reported records of Vikings were in Baghdad for the trading of goods like fur, tusks and seal fat.

The period from the earliest recorded raids in the 790s to the Norman conquest of England in 1066 is commonly known as the Viking Age of Scandinavian history. ... The Normans were descended from Vikings who were given feudal overlordship of areas in northern France-the Duchy of Normandy-in the 10th century.

From around A.D. 800 to the 11th century, a vast number of Scandinavians left their homelands to seek their fortunes elsewhere. These seafaring warriors-known collectively as Vikings or Norsemen ("Northmen") - begin by raiding coastal sites, especially undefended monasteries, in the British Isles.

Here's some facts about vikings and their believes