THE NORSE

M R J A C O B S E N

Who are the Norse?

-Danes for Denmark-Norwegians from Norway-Swedes from Sweden

The Norse Expantion

• East – Up river Volkhov to Novgorod. • -humped boats overland to source of Dnieper river to

Kiev, the Black Sea, and Constantinople. • -From Novgorod to Volga river and then down to

Caspian Sea, Baghdad. • South – Scotland, Ireland, and half of England (Stopped by

Alfred the Great of Wessex).• -Friesland and France down to Loire. Lisbon, Cadiz,

Seville, and Camargue. North Italy including Pisa. Normandy moved to Sicily.

• West - (Mainly the Norwegians) – Iceland; Brattahlid, Greenland; L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland; New England.

• -“Discovered America” 500 years before Columbus.

Lifestyle

• -They were not just barbarians who killed everyone.

• -Most of their lives were peaceful. • -They hunted, fished, and most importantly

they farmed. • -Three social classes: Serfs, Peasants, and Earls

or Warriors.

Serfs

• -Manual laborers • -Lived in huts made of turf and clay and they

usually shared this hut with farm animals • -No patron God looked over them

Peasants

• -Smallholders• -Free men• -Lived in a pair of parallel long-houses with

maybe 1 or 2 barns• -Patron God was Thor

Earls or Warriors

• -Distinguished by their wealth: The number of followers, treasure, ships, and estates.

• -“Stuff” was passed down from oldest son to oldest son.

• -Devoted family men who spent winters at home having great feasts.

• -Summer – explored, traded, and robbed. • -Celebrated by the scaldic poets. • -Patron God was Odin.

Food

• -Wholemeal rye bread, porridge, herring, sheep, lamb, goat, horse, ox, calf, pig, cheese, butter, cream, beer, mead, wine (for Nobles).

• -In Norway and Iceland whale, seal, and polar bear• -Cabbage, onions, apples, berries, and hazelnuts. • -Inland forests: elk, deer, wild boar, bear, hares,

geese, chicken.• -Far north: reindeer and bison

Values

• -Leitmotifs of Havamal (Words of the High one)• *Value life itself• *censure naivete• *Cherish and celebrate friendships• *Beware of treachery• *practice moderation• *be hospitable (not too much)• *try to win the fame and good name that will outlive you. • -They knew that they were going to die and that nothing could stop that. So

they tried living as much as possible before that happened. • -They were incredibly loyal to friends and family• -They knew there were hardships in life but one had to use it, rise above it,

and carve a name for yourself through bravery, loyalty, and generosity.