Introduction to the big bad Vikings

Yes we were big and bad and some of us wore a beard, only listen up we never had horns on our helmets, ok! Now with that cleared up this is what us Vikings were all about

We were big, not fat as we only ate two meals per day using a knife and spoon. Our first meal or breakfast I think is what you wimps call it today usually consisted of porridge made with buttermilk. Our evening meal sometimes was skause (viking speak for stew) which was made using leftover meat and vegetables thrown into a large kettle and left to cook on an open fire all day.

The meat we ate usually came from pigs, but we weren't chosey we would eat anything we could catch such as cows, goats, horses, squirrels, birds and of course being so close to the sea we were also expert fisherman. This brings me to one my favourite subjects, boats. We vikings simply rocked at sailing.

Us Vikings built the best boats made from overlapping wooden planks fixed with iron nails. We sailed these boats all over Europe, Russia, Africa, Constantinople and North America. We sailed to so many places and drank so much mead that I have probably forget to name more than a few places. Oh and when the gods took away the wind we rowed. Did you know the one thing we never forgot to take with us on a voyage was a Raven. Why? did you ask why, because stupid they are simply the best finders of land ever. Now don't be so daft and bring me my helmet because I'm off to teach the Celt's another lesson.

Our houses were vey basic because lets face it more fun was to be had sailing all over the place having a good time fighting and borrowing stuff. But I suppose we had to leave some shelter for our families as us Vikings liked every generation to live under one roof. Also and I am going to whisper this my mum and dad choose my wife for me. Yes unfortunatly Vikings marrages were arranged, Ouch soory dearest, now put down that old battle axe, no I didn't call you a battle axe dear. Well before I lose something important I will show you round our house.

Viking houses:

• were only one storie high.
• had walls made of wood or stone.
• had a thatched roof or covered in turf.
• had an open fire place which was used to cook, keep us warm in winter and provide light.
• had no windows.

Viking villages and settlements were never very far from the sea