Henry's Viking Vocabulary Trivia Quiz

Answer: Langskip

Sir William told us the Vikings built many different types of ships; the langskip, which is also commonly called a dragonship or long boat, however, was the largest of the Viking ships. Superbly constructed, and decorated with colorful figures and sails, the dragonship could not only travel at sea, but also down shallow rivers, as it was able to navigate in just three feet of water! We all agreed that langskips must have been a sight to behold - but we are happy not to have to live in fear of Viking raiders.

Answer: Runes

The Vikings used a runic alphabet; it was called the "futhark", after the first six runes, Fehu, Uruz, Thurisaz, Ansuz, Raidho, Kaunan. Wow, we were all impressed. Sir William never ceases to amaze us with his knowledge! He said the Vikings used runestones, stones with runic inscriptions, to mark territory, or to tell of an important event. I have heard stories about people finding strange, intricate carvings on stones all over England.

It wasn't that long ago that England was under Viking control and influence.

Answer: Thrall

The Vikings had a three-class society; there were nobles, freemen and slaves. Scandinavians who owed debts, lost wars, or were the children of slaves were thralls, as well as other people who were captured in raids. Thralls had no rights, and, as property, they could be bought and sold; it was typical for each household to have one or two thralls, although wealthy nobleman could have more.

It was possible for a thrall to be freed, at which time they became a freedman, still owing allegiance to their former master for at least two generations before becoming freemen.

Answer: Saga

Sagas are stories that tell about Vikings, and there are a variety of topics, such as voyages, battles, kings, and feuds. Many of the sagas were written in the 9-llth centuries, which is known as the Age of Sagas. It is believed that the stories may have been passed down orally before eventually being written down.

Author's note: While some of the sagas are believed to be about legendary people and events, others have been proven to be historically correct.

Answer: Knorr

Bulkier and with fewer oars than a dragonship, the knorr (also spelled knarr) was used primarily for trade and carrying cargo. It is estimated that it was large enough to carry 24 tons, and was filled with all sorts of trading goods, including livestock, timber, furs, and slaves. Also believed to have been used to carry supplies to Viking colonies, the knorr required less manpower while carrying more cargo.

Answer: Thingbod

Vikings typically lived in small farming communities; even though they were led by a chieftain, they had a democratic assembly, called a "Thing", where the people could let their concerns be known and deal with community problems. Although meetings were regularly scheduled, a special "Thing" could be called at any time.

In that case, a special announcement called a thingbod would be taken from house to house. Every head of the Viking family was expected to attend the meeting, or pay a fine.

Answer: Berserker

Sir William explained that berserkers fought in a frenzied state while wearing their bearskins; as members of a bear cult they would howl, bite at the rims of their shields, and foam at the mouth. These warriors are probably the reason why Vikings have a reputation of being such ruthless savages; beserkers would work themselves up into such a state that they were even harmful to each other, and their families as well. All of us pages gasped in horror; this doesn't sound at all like the code of chivalry that we have been taught.

Answer: Skald

Skaldic poetry dates to approximately the 9th century, and Bragi Boddason's "Ragnarsdrįpa", about the escapades of Ragnar Lothbrok, is considered to be the oldest poem in existence. At first it was believed that skalds would memorize the poems, and preserve the history orally, however, many kings and chieftains, eager to have their deeds recorded for posterity, eventually hired skalds to write about their deeds.

Answer: Stofa

Vikings were very good woodworkers - remember their ships were made of wood! - and they also constructed their homes out of wood. Consisting of several structures set around a courtyard, the main building was called a stofa, and was used for family gatherings and entertaining guests. Benches for seating lined the walls, with the men sitting on one side, and the women on the other. For some families, the stofa might be the only building of the home; in that case, it was used for eating, sleeping, and even stabling animals.

The walls of a stofa were usually decorated in some way, and the floors were covered in rushes! All of us looked at each other when Sir William said that. Laying down fresh rushes in the Great Hall, which is also used for many different purposes, is one of our responsibilities.

Answer: Mead

Made by fermenting honey with water, mead is believed to be the one of the oldest alcoholic beverages known to mankind. The alcoholic content of mead can range from 8% to 20%, making its effects very potent! The Vikings drank a variety of alcoholic beverages, even though they had been warned by their god, Odin, that wanton drunkenness and over-consumption were both dangerous pastimes.

"Less good than they say
for the sons of men
is the drinking oft of ale:
for the more they drink,
the less they can think
and keep a watch over their wits".

Sir William concluded the lesson by saying that all of us could learn something from Odin's speech.