| Strategy | Example | What they gained | Long-term effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raiding | Lindisfarne 793; monastery raids 793–840s | Immediate silver, gold, slaves | Terrorised coastal communities; forced defensive reorganisation |
| Trading | Varangian Routes; Dublin slave market; Jorvik trade | Silver, silk, spices in exchange for furs, slaves, amber | Created wealth networks connecting Baltic to Middle East |
| Settling | Danelaw 878; Normandy 911; Iceland c.874 | Permanent farmland; political power | Founded cities; influenced laws, language, culture |
This comparison covers ⚖️ Raiding, Trading, Settling: Three Viking Strategies within Viking Expansion, c.750-c.1050 for GCSE History. Revise Viking Expansion, c.750-c.1050 in Component Group 4 ā Period Studies for GCSE History with 14 exam-style questions and 18 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 8 of 14 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Viking Expansion, c.750-c.1050
Describe two features of the Viking raid on Lindisfarne in 793.
Describe two features of Viking longships.
Quick recall flashcards
What was a knarr and how was it used?
A broader, deeper Viking cargo ship designed for trade and colonisation rather than raiding. Used to carry settlers, livestock, supplies and trade goods on long ocean voyages. Knarrs transported Viking settlers to Iceland (c.874), Greenland (c.985), and North America (c.1000).
What was Danegeld?
Silver tribute paid by rulers to Viking leaders in exchange for peace. After the Siege of Paris (885-886), the Frankish king paid 700 pounds of silver to make the Viking fleet of 700 ships leave. English kings also paid Danegeld repeatedly. Rather than genuine peace, it often just postponed the next raid.