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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Viking Helmet-Hermipedia

viking helmet

Today’s Hermipedia Feature: Viking Helmet

Viking Helmets, Arms and Armour:

Much of the arms and armour used by Vikings indicated a Viking’s social status, and a Viking helmet is thought to have been limited to the very richest of their society.  As war was a very prestigious activity, the nobility and professional warriors were likely to have worn a Viking helmet.  The average Viking might have just a spear, shield, an axe, large knife or hunting bow.

Beautifully finished and refined weapons showing quality and color were a way for a Viking to present her wealth and place in society.

The end of the 8th to the mid 11th century marks the Viking Age, and there are very few archaeological finds to tell a definitive story.  Much of what we know and think of Vikings comes from Old Norse tales that were written in the 13th century.

These tales are called Sagas, which are stories about ancient Scandinavian and Germanic history, voyages and battles, and they were written in Old Norse, which is an Icelandic language.

Viking Helmet:

There is only one known complete Viking helmet in existence today that came from a village in central Norway.  It has a rounded cap and a guard for the eyes and nose made of iron.  This helmet does not display any refined finishes or color. Helmets were made of iron, as well as hardened leather and iron strips.

A Viking helmet may have been inherited, and passed down from generation to generation instead of being buried, giving reason to the limited archaeological findings. The helmets were likely passed from father to son.

The horned Viking helmet we think of today, and that Viking wears on Hermit Island, may have been used for ceremonies or rituals, and less likely in war or battles. These helmets likely displayed distinctive color and style of workmanship.

Romantic Viking Helmet:

The horned helmet came from Romantic artists in the Romantic Age from the late 1700’s to the mid 1800’s.  These artists gave Vikings winged helmets in their artwork.  It wasn’t until 1820 that a Swedish artist illustrated a Swedish poem showing horns instead of wings on the helmets.  This picked up in artistic expression, and stayed with the common depictions of Vikings in art.

The horned helmet didn’t completely take over the winged artistic expression until the 1890’s, through German and English illustrated children’s books.

The Viking & the hermit Viking Helmet:

Viking’s horned helmet is made from exquisitely dyed hardened leather in deep, emerald green color with welting detail and golden dyed leather trim.  It was a special gift from her father…custom made and dyed with the finest care from the best hatter of helmets in the village, and the most prized oxen.

“Viking often grabs her helmet horn while thinking, especially while listening and learning from Hermit, and taps her finger on the tip of the horn.  One of the bone tips is slightly worn, and less sharp, because of her habit.  She finds herself thinking of her father at those moments, and how he taught her so much, just like Hermit.”

Hermipedia Feature: Viking Helmet

Courtney & Betina

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