Viking Raids/Expansion
Viking raids were well planned out, lighting quick and horrifying for those being
attacked. These medieval Norse people liked to raid towns and monasteries that were close to the
coastline. This method of raiding allowed them to use their famed longships, the quickest ships
of the Viking age, to swoop in on their target. They could pull these boats onto the shore, jump
out with swords, battle axes, and spears at the ready, and be upon their target before any kind of
defense could be mounted.
This phase started with the first Viking raid which was, as discussed above, on the
monastery in Lindisfarne England in 793 AD and lasted until 840 AD. The Lindisfarne attack
was typical of how raids in this phase were conducted. It was quick, the goal was looting, and it
was conducted by a small group of Vikings, the target was on the coast, and the Vikings left
quickly. During this period of attacks the Norse warriors raided towns and monasteries in
England and France. The Carolingian Empire, which during the Viking Age united most of
Western Europe, was deeply affected by the raids during this phase. During this phase the
Norsemen attacked the monastery at Noirmountier France every summer for many years.
http://www.viking-source.com/viking-raids.shtml
Why did the Viking raids start?
Here are some of the most usual reasons given:
Population explosion – the Vikings' travels were at first pirate expeditions, but gradually they
developed into voyages of emigration
Internal, political conditions – disputes and struggles between different pretenders to the throne
Social conditions – they were forced by poverty. This is not very probable since those who
equipped the Viking raids were rich
Worsening climate – there are no signs of this
Opportunities for trade and ravaging – closely connected with Charles the Great
The Viking raids were military attacks – a kind of “guerrilla warfare” to defend themselves
against the aggression of Charles the Great.
http://en.vikingkings.com/PortalDefault.aspx?portalID=116&activeTabID=810&parentActiveTa
bID=809
The earliest documented raids by the Vikings began in 793 at Lindisfarne, England. Historians
distinguish three phases to the raids. The first phase of attacks was from 790-840. The Vikings
used shallow draught longships which were ideally suited for surprise raids on coastal locations
that struck terror into their victims. The fleets were small, making a "hit-and-run" tactic of the
attacks that could enable the raiders to row away as swiftly as they had come. The attacks were
usually seasonal and isolated in small bands. These attacks began along the coastal cities in
England and France and continued down along the river communities. The Carolingian Empire
was deeply affected by the raids at this time. Frisia and Aquitaine in modern day France were
two of the first provinces attacked by the Vikings, Aquitane being attacked by Norwegian raiders
returning from Ireland. The most notable attack was on the monastery at Noirmountier. This
island monastery was attacked every summer. The monks tried many defenses, but they
eventually left the island for safer lands. The trading centers in Frisia, particularly Dorestad,
were a favorite targets of the Vikings in 834-839.
http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/westeurope/VikingRaids.html