The Viking Age in Britain began about 1,200 years ago in the 8th century ad and lasted for 300 years. In England it ended in 1066, but it lasted for centuries longer in Scotland.

Although Viking invasions stopped over a thousand years ago, many words we use today come down to us from the Viking language and many places have names given to them in Viking times. Quite a few of us even have Viking genes in our blood.

1 The Vikings lived in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, countries on the other side of the North Sea – to the east of the British Isles.

2 The Vikings were farmers and fishermen who became traders and warriors.

3 Some Vikings made hit and run raids on the British Isles for about 50 years. Then they began to stay.

4 The places the Norwegian Vikings stayed were in the islands of northern Scotland, and the east coast of Ireland. They also lived in Normandy, northern France. William the Conqueror was descended from Vikings.

5 The Danish Vikings at first landed in small groups. But in the 9th century, they invaded eastern England, sending over thousands of men as a Great Army.

6 The Vikings had to fight the English, the Scots and the Irish. Everywhere they met resistance, but in general their invasions were successful. The most famous Anglo-Saxon king to fight the Vikings was King Alfred, and he only just managed to stop them from taking over the whole of England.

7 Struggles continued for two hundred years. Sometimes the Anglo-Saxon kings held control, sometimes the Vikings.

8 Even though there were many wars, during this time many Vikings settled down, leaving a legacy of Viking names where they lived.