About the Vikings-Hermipedia: The Viking and the Hermit

about the vikings

 

Hermipedia Feature: About the Vikings

If you’re new here, Hermipedia is a made up encyclopedia mix of fact and fiction to explore and explain all characters, wild life, activity, flora and fauna of Hermit Island, where our Illustrated Children’s Book Series Adventure, The Viking and the hermit takes place.

Today we are learning some Viking’s History and about the Vikings!

The Meaning of the Word, “Viking”

The word “viking” is an Old Norse(Icelandic language) noun which refers to an expedition overseas usually by ship. In other expressions, “to go on a viking” meant to go on a raid or participate in piracy, but could also simply have meant to have a seaborne mission of trade or commerce.

Viking Revival Age

Much of what we know about the Viking’s history today is based on the 19th Century Viking Revival Age, which was a rediscovery of the Viking past for Norwegians.  At this time, Norwegians  saw a rise in nationalism, and began to look to their Viking history and ancestry more.  With the discovery and excavation of the first Viking ship there, it gave Norwegians new knowledge about the Vikings, their history and their culture.

This Viking ship was built around 900 A.D., and in a ship or boat burial mound of dirt. We also know that the only complete Viking helmet ever found was in Norway.

The Viking Revival Age also marked when Norway and Sweden came together in history under one Swedish King.  Norway was previously united with Denmark until a Declaration of Independence, war and Treaty agreement resulted in the official United Kingdoms of  Sweden and Norway between 1814 and 1905.

During this Viking’s Age, the theory that Vikings explored North America centuries before Christopher Columbus were published and discussed. Today in America, Leif Erikson Day is celebrated on October 9th, in honor of the first Europeans or Vikings to set foot in North America, and discover the New World.

Columbus Day is still celebrated on October 12th as his arrival in the Americas in 1492.

The Viking and the hermit:

Although much of Viking’s past remains a mystery to Hermit, and he knows that she is sensitive talking of it, Viking and Hermit both find great comfort in each other’s company, and feel connected, as if they know each other from a time before.

Each day on Hermit Island, Viking learns something new, and she grows more confident in her skills and place there.  Each task proves she can learn more, and she likes the way that makes her feel.  She left her Viking village and family lost and alone, but she now has Hermit and his Island as her new friends.

At night, she lies in her guest home-clam house bed, and looks at her beautiful Viking helmet gift from her father, resting on the shelf above.  The pain of not seeing him subsides slightly, as she thinks of waking up to be ready to spear fish with Hermit.

Courtney & Betina

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Viking Ship-Hermipedia

viking ship

Today’s Hermipedia Feature: Viking Ship

Viking set sail, leaving her village in the dark, stormy night on her Viking Ship. She didn’t know where she was going, except away, and sailed many days and nights before seeing a lone island in the distance.

There were many times repeated on the sea in her Viking Ship, as if she sailed in circles.  It was after the worst stormy night, when she thought she may perish into the tossing waves, that the sun appeared, and she caught a glimpse of Hermit Island on the horizon.

Thanks to her sturdy Viking Ship with overlapping planks of flexible wood, and a single spine or keel foundation, she survived to see her refuge over the wave caps in the distance, before taking on too much water.

Types of Viking Ships

Viking ships came in various sizes, and were used for different functions. For example, a Karve was a smaller type of Viking ship that was used for human or livestock transport, and could handle very shallow depths. Other types of ships were Knarr, Faering and Longships used by the Vikings.

Viking Ships: Longship Construction

Viking’s ship was called a longship that is designed for speed, exploration and warfare for Vikings, and can even land on beaches.  It is double-ended, so that it can change directions easily, and travel both directions without turning the boat.

The overlapping split-oak planks are just one inch thick, and are stronger than any sawed plank of wood.  They form layered ribs riveted together, that make the hull of the ship both strong and supple.

Ship Navigation for Vikings

Vikings were very precise in their navigation, and knew the tides, landmarks and sailing routes well.  They used routes passed down from ancestors, and could even spot the position of a whale in the water, to know the proper direction and navigation of their Viking ships.

Hermipedia Feature: Viking Ship

Courtney & Betina

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