Vikings: Invaders and Settlers - Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery Trust
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Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery Trust Vikings: Invaders and Settlers For: KS 2 Duration: 2 hours These notes are intended as a guide for teachers who have been to the INSET session on Vikings: Invaders and Settlers, and are running the session independently. They are also for the information of those who are attending a session led by one of our staff.
Before the Visit To run this session you will need to bring 5 adults to guide the children on the 5 tables that they will explore in the session. To make life easier for yourself and the other adults that you will bring on the day, we suggest that each adult takes one of the tables and stays on that table whilst the children rotate. The member of Tullie House staff that will be guiding the session will spend a few minutes before the session begins showing you and your adults the tables and activities. Please draw particular attention to the health and safety notes that are included in this pack. On arrival Please go to the main reception desk and hand in your confirmation of booking and your signed health and safety form. If your class need the toilet we advise you to use the main ones in the reception area. A member of the Tullie House Learning Team will be contacted and you will be taken to your session. There is space to leave coats outside the Activities Room but if you have bags as well it is better to ask at Reception for a coat bin. Before the children enter the Activities Room please remind them not to touch anything.
Format of the Session This session looks at the Vikings as both invaders and settlers. As an introduction we will explore Vikings in Cumbria, using place names and a PowerPoint presentation of the Cumwhitton grave finds discovered near Carlisle. The children will then move around 4 activities. 3 will include handling replica objects which show the Vikings as warriors, traders and settlers. They will also consider Viking burials and Viking gods and legends. The session includes drama activity. The following are the object notes for each table and instructions detailing the activities for that table.
Vikings: Invaders and Settlers
Curriculum Learning Objectives
This workshop will help support learners to develop a chronologically secure knowledge and
understanding of Viking history in Britain and the wider world by devising historically valued
questions about change, cause, similarly, different and significance. They will construct informed
responses that involve thoughtful selection and organisation of relevant historical information.
They will understand how knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources.
History (key stage 2)
Link to Curriculum subject content: the Viking and Anglo-Saxon for the Kingdom of England to
the time of Edward the Confessor
English- spoken language
Link to programme of study: all pupils should be enabled to participate in and gain knowledge,
skills and understanding associated with the artistic practice of drama. Pupils should be able to
adopt, create and sustain a range of roles, responding appropriately to others in the role. They
should have opportunities to improvise, devise and script drama for one another and a range of
audience, as well as to rehearse, refine, share and respond thoughtfully to drama and theatre
performances.
Cross Curricular Links
Subject Key stage Programmes of study
English 2 6. Language and literacy
6.2. Spoken language
(including drama)
6.3. Reading and writing
6.4. Vocabulary development
Geography 2 Human and physical
Geographical skills
Viking Settlers
Table Notes
Many Vikings settled in lands far away from where they were born, including
Britain. Of those who settled in this country, many were farmers. On the table
are objects related to Vikings settlers and farmers that might have been found
in a Viking home.
a. Pass around each of the objects. Think about what they are made of and what they were
used for.
b. As a group label either the Viking man or woman with the types of material he/she is
wearing (answers on the table).
c. On the hand out choose the best place to build a settlement and give as many reasons as
you can as to why you have made your choice.
The picture below is
of a woman in
traditional Viking
dress. Label the
materials that make Silk
up her outfit.
(Answers for teacher
reference) Glass Beads
Bronze
Leather
Wool
Linen
WOOL LINEN SILK
GLASS BEADS BRONZE LEATHER
The picture below is
of a man in
traditional Viking
dress. Label the
materials that make
up her outfit.
(Answers for teacher
reference)
Fur
Wool
Linen
Leather
WOOL LINEN
FUR LEATHER
Which settlement would you choose?
MAP KEY
Symbol Land type Resource
Water
Marshy flood plain Fishing
Reeds
Flat, lightly wooded river terrace,
with good soil and above flood plain Sticks and firewood, possible
agricultural
Timber for building
Forested uplands
Game
Look at the map key and decide which area you would most like to settle in. Think about how
easily the site can be defended and whether it has good access to food, water and fuel.
Viking Settlers
Object Notes
Spindle whorl/wool - Often the running of the farm was left to
Viking women while the men were away fighting. One of their
most important jobs was to make clothing. For this they used flax
to make linen and wool which had to be spun using a spindle
whorl like this. They also made colourful dyes from different
types of plants including woad for blue and weld for yellow.
Lucet - A lucet device like this one was used to make a braid. In
more modern times children have enjoyed creating friendship
bracelets in the same way. This example comes complete with
instructions so that you can have a go yourself.
Turnshoes - Most Vikings wore shoes. They were of a simple
design and the most common leather used was goatskin. Fancier
shoes had seams in a particular design or were even in the form of
an inscription, and might have had colourful uppers. Antler horn
toggles have also been found though shoes were normally tied
with leather thongs for laces, as in this example.
Bone needles. Bone was used to make all sorts of objects such as
combs, hairpins, spindle whorls and needles like these. They look
and feel very like plastic but are, in fact, hand hewn bone. This
was a material readily available from the animals raised on the
farm.
Sheep skin. Most Vikings were farmers. Their land provided them
with food, clothing, and materials. Two types of sheep kept by
the Vikings were Manx Loghtans (now only found in the Isle of
Man) and Hebridean sheep. Both breeds are very hardy and shed
their wool naturally so did not need shearing. These sheep gave
wool for clothing, milk for drinking, meat, butter or cheese. The
Loghtan could grow up to six horns which provided material for
making everyday items such as cups.
Horn mug - As with bone, horn was a readily available material on the farm and was used to make household objects. This example might have been used at a feast to toast the home coming of warriors from a raid. Hollowed out horns were also used to drink from with some decorated with fancy metal rims. Spouted pitcher - Pottery items were expensive during the Viking period. This example is based on finds from Stamford in Lincolnshire which was a centre for pottery production. Here the clay was a distinctive white and when glazed took on a patchy yellow colour. This was a domestic pot and had three large ‘strap’ handles and a spout. This was the most common shape but the potters in Lincolnshire also specialised in small pots and bowls for cooking, tableware, lamps and crucibles (small pots for melting metal). Much of what they made was exported though cooking pots were used locally. Clay lamp - This example is a hand held lamp. It would have been filled with animal fat and a wick was placed in it. These lamps would have been smelly and dangerous within a thatched wattle and daub Viking house. This kind of lighting was used right up to the advent of electricity and it is interesting to compare oil lamps from different times (Roman, Tudor, Victorian) to see how little they changed. On the table there is also an example of a table lamp which would have been used in the same way. Wooden trencher - Wood was a commonly used material for serving food and was turned into bowls, cups and plates.
Bracelet - Vikings loved jewellery. Wearing gold and silver was seen as a sign of wealth and status. Chieftains gave pieces as rewards for brave warriors. Less expensive materials were also used such as bronze, pewter and, for the very poorest, animal bones. As with clothing colour was important and coloured glass, amber and jet were made into pendants and rings. Highly decorated brooches were common with some examples being huge (look for the giant penannular in Tullie House). This example is a plain bracelet and could be used as a template to design something much more fancy. Cloak with brooch - Viking men usually wore loose trousers, woollen tunics, linen shirts and cloaks like this one for extra warmth. Women wore long under dresses with shorter overdresses or aprons with shoulder straps. Brooches were worn to hold clothes together. The example here is called a penannular brooch. Women often wore a pair of oval or tortoise brooches to hold shoulder straps. Two very good examples were found at Cumwhitton. Can you fasten the cloak with the brooch?
Viking Traders
Table Notes
Vikings travelled huge distances and visited many countries, often bringing
back home items to trade. On the table are objects related to the Vikings as
traders.
a. Pass around each of the objects. Think about what they are made of and what they were
used for.
b. Divide the ‘Traders Cards’ into items the Vikings would trade with and items the Vikings
would want to trade for.
Use the map to help you – translate the Viking runes to find out where the items came
from.
Fill in the worksheet and have a go at writing your name in runes.Viking Traders
Object Notes
Longship - The Viking warship was long and slender and could glide up
narrow gorges and land directly onto the beach. They were also light
enough to carry from one inlet or river to another. This example has 16
shields attached to each side. One theory is that Vikings would only
put the shields and scary figure head on their boat when they went
raiding. They left them off when trading so as not to frighten their
customers!
Axe - The Viking’s favourite weapon was the double-edged sword but
they also used spears and bows and arrows. The axe has been included
here as this tool would have been needed to make the ships used to
trade. They were made of iron with a wooden handle. Some examples
belonging to important warriors or chieftains might be decorated with
silver wire to depict fantastic birds, beasts and human faces. Such
intricately designed pieces may have been for ceremonial use only.
Runes – runes were used as written communication. They were
designed to be easily carved and many examples we have are found on
grave or commemorative slabs erected to warriors. Accounts, bills and
letters have come to light on wood, antler and bone. Some items
declare who made them or whom they belong to.
Whetstone - This smooth stone is a whetstone. It would have been used
to sharpen tools and weapons.
Coins - coins only became common towards the end of the Viking
period before which goods were bartered or bought with pieces of
silver. The value of a silver coin was in its weight not its type as today.
Sometimes a price required the weight of a coin and a half and there
was nothing wrong with dividing the coin to pay this. We have found
many coins as part of hoards buried in times of danger. Their presence
allows us to date these hoards and the many precious items they
include (i.e. jewellery styles). Coins were minted by placing a blank
hand cut piece of silver between 2 halves of a coin die and then bashing
this with a hammer.What did the Vikings trade with, and what did they
trade for?
Vikings traded with lots of different countries, for lots of different things.
Vikings used a special alphabet called ‘Futhark’.
Use this version of Futhark to translate the words on the map to find out what the
Vikings traded with and what they traded for.Futhark word English word Which country did
they get this from?
How would you write your name in runes?Viking Warriors
Table notes
On the table are objects related to the Vikings as warriors.
a. Pass around each of the objects thinking about what they are made of and what they
were used for.
b. Try on the chainmail and helmet. Think about what it must have been like to wear these
for long periods. Are they heavy? Comfortable? Would these, the sword and the shield
have been effective as defence?
c. Make your own Thor’s Hammer charm to give you good luckViking Warriors
Object Notes
Helmet - Poorer warriors wore leather caps, sometimes strengthened
with a band of iron. Wealthier warriors wore an iron helmet with either
a nose guard, like this one, or eye-guards.
Shield - Vikings used wooden shields with an iron boss. They were
brightly painted and about 1 metre across to protect the body from the
thighs up to the neck. This example is child size. Later shields were a
kite shape and offered greater protection to the body than the circular
design.
Sword - Viking warriors believed that their swords had magic powers.
On the handle you will see runes which are Viking letters. These too
had magic powers which is why the word ‘spell’ is used for the act of
forming words today. Swords which were put into graves were often
broken, maybe to break these spells.
Chain mail - This could be used as part of the helmet to protect the
neck but was also worn as a tunic. It took a long time to make, as each
link had to be forged separately. This also made it very expensive.
Chain mail was very heavy but worn in this way the weight was
distributed over the whole body making it easier to carry.
Thor’s Hammer necklace - Thor’s hammer was a popular charm with
peasants and farmers. The Vikings believed that when he threw his
hammer he caused thunder. A pendant like this one was often worn in
the same way we might wear a cross today. A warrior might have worn
his for good luck.Drinking horn - This would have been used as a cup. Hardy cattle, such as long horns, were vital for food, hides for clothing and warmth, bone and horn for every day items such as combs, needles and vessels such as this. Most commonly drunk was beer made from barley but the wealthy often imported wine from Germany. Examples of items like these are often found in graves. Mask - This is a mask of the God Thor, who was the God of thunder and lighting and associated with war.
Viking Burial
Table Notes
On the table you will find a large picture based on one of the burials at
Cumwhitton and a photo pack of the excavation.
a. Hand out pages from the photo pack and discuss what is happening in the pictures and
what you can see.
b. Look closely at the large picture and again discuss what you can see.
c. Use the body mat, a volunteer and the modern whole objects in the plastic box to
recreate the Viking grave but in modern times. Once everything is in place think about
what an archaeologist would find in 1,000 years time. What would be left behind? Take
away the bits that would rot away in the ground. You can use the box of parts to help
you create what would be found in an excavation.
d. On the handout fill in examples of what the Viking is buried with and then design a grave
in the square box. If you were going to the afterlife what would you want to take with
you today?A Viking grave Some Vikings believed that when they died they went to another world called Valhalla. To prepare for their new life important things were put in their grave with them. What can you see in the picture? Now draw a picture showing what you would take. Put in things that are important to you.
Viking Gods
Table Notes
The Vikings worshipped many different Gods: there was one for almost
every part of Viking life, from birth and death, to war and peace. One
of the most popular gods was Thor. Thor was God of Thunder and was a
great warrior. He had a magic hammer, Mjollnir, which could strike
down any enemy.
a. The class are going to act out the story of how Thor lost his hammer.
The story has been split into sections. Each group will act out one section.
Give each member of the group a character and practise your scene – what would the
characters be saying? Use the props and costumes provided and the fact files on each of
the Gods to help you get to know your character.
One person in your group can be the narrator.
Tips:
Have one adult lead this activity for all 5 groups.
Get the first group to decide what prop/costume each character will have. Then when
the next groups do there bit get them to wear the same prop/costume to make each
character recognisable through out all 5 sections. E.g. Thor could always wear the fur
hat.Thor’s Hammer 1. Thor woke one morning to find his hammer gone – he was furious! He called a meeting of the Gods to ask if anyone had seen it. Odin shook his head: he told Thor off for being so careless. Frigg, Odin’s wife, and Freyr (God of Peace and Plenty) had not seen it either. Heimdall (the Watchman of the Gods) said he hadn’t seen the hammer and that no-one had used the Bifrost (the bridge between Asgard and Midgard) last night. Loki offered to find the hammer and Freyja lent him her magic cloak so he could fly swiftly in search of it. 2. Loki discovered that it was Thrym, a Frost Giant, who had Mjollnir. The other Frost Giants just laughed when Loki asked for it back. Thrym said he would return it only if he was sent Freyja as his wife. Loki returned to Asgard and told the Gods what had happened – Thor was even more furious when he found out! Freyja was very upset and cried golden tears. Loki wanted to send her to Thrym, but the Heimdall came up with a better plan. 3. Heimdall decided that Thor should dress up as a bride and pretend to be Freyja. Once in Thrym’s hall he could perhaps recover his hammer. Frigg helped Thor dress in his bridal gown. Odin shook his head – he was embarrassed to see his son dressed as a bride. Loki went along to join in the fun, disguised as a bridesmaid. 4. When Thor and Loki arrived at Thrym’s hall the wedding feast was laid. There were hundreds of Frost Giants eating round the table. Thor nearly gave himself away by his outrageous appetite, but Loki explained it by saying the “bride” had not eaten for days in her excitement. 5. Delighted that she was so eager, Thrym called for Mjollnir to bless the bride. He placed the hammer on her knees in the traditional way. At once, Thor grabbed it and threw off his veil. The Giants ran for their lives, though Thor killed Thrym and several others.
Character Fact Files
Odin
Odin was King of all the Gods and was also known as the All-Father
He was very wise – he gave up one of his eyes so he could drink
from the Well of Mimir and gain knowledge of the Runes, which he
then taught to mankind.
He enjoyed visiting Midgard (Earth) in disguise.
He had servants called the Valkyries – female warriors who chose
the most valiant warriors who died on Earth to be Odin’s guests in
Valhalla.
He had two pet ravens, Huginn (meaning ‘Thought’) and Muninn
(meaning ‘Memory’) who sat on his shoulders. They flew around
the world collecting information then whispered it in Odin’s ears.
Frigg
Frigg was Odin’s wife. They have two sons, Balder and Bragi.
She was Queen of the Gods and Mother Goddess. She helped
women during childbirth.
She could change her shape and often visited Earth in disguise to
involve herself in human affairs.
The English word Friday comes from ‘Frigg’s Day’.Freyr
Freyr was Freya’s brother. He was the God of Fertility and Plenty
and protected warriors in battle.
He had a magic sword that fights by itself, he also had a magic
ship, called Skidbladnir. This ship was big enough to hold all the
Gods but could still be folded up and put in his pocket.
He drove a chariot pulled by a magic golden boar called
Gullinbursti.
Freyja
Freyr’s sister, Freyja was the Goddess of Fertility, Love and
Beauty.
She loved beautiful objects like gold and jewels.
She was a powerful witch and taught other Gods some of her magic
secrets.
She had a magic falcon skin which gave her the power of flight
when she wore it.
She also drove a chariot drawn by two flying cats.
She could grant good harvests and fishing, and protected women in
childbirth.Loki
Loki was the Trickster God and was Thor’s brother.
He was exciting to be around as he loved adventures and having
fun, but he was also nosy, mischievous and loved to gamble.
He was a talented shape-changer and could become any animal he
wanted to.
He had two children called Fenrir, a giant wolf, and Jorumungand,
a monstrous serpent. Fenrir had to be chained up by the other
Gods as he was so dangerous. They believed that when Fenrir
escaped he would bring about Ragnarok (the end of the world).
Loki did not get on with the god Heimdall, who was the Watchman
of the Gods and guarded the bridge (called the Bifrost) between
Asgard (Land of the Gods) and Midgard (Earth). Heimdall was
always suspicious of Loki and kept a close eye on him.
Heimdall
Heimdall was the guardian of the Bifrost, the Rainbow bridge
between Asgard and Midgard. He warned the Gods when strangers
are approaching.
He was very suspicious of Loki.
Heimdall had super powerful sight and hearing – he could hear the
grass grow and see for a hundred miles.Thrym and the Frost Giants
Thrym was the Frost Giant who stole Thor’s hammer. He was
arrogant and unwise.
Frost Giants lived in the frozen wastes of Niflheim, a place of ice
and snow. The first Frost Giant was called Ymir, and he made his
children from his own sweat!
The Frost Giants were huge monsters, twice the size of even the
largest man. They had long beards made from ice.
Thor
Thor was Odin’s son and was the strongest of the Gods.
Thor was known as both the God of Thunder and the God of War.
His weapon was ‘Mjolnir’, a hammer which Thor used to defeat his
enemies. The Vikings believed that when they heard thunder, Thor
was using his hammer.
We get the word ‘Thursday’ from ‘Thor’s day’.You can also read
