The Kingdom of the Vikings In the early years of the Vikings, there was little recorded history due to the polytheistic views they followed. After the Vikings converted to Christianity, written records relating to their existence were eventually created. In Viking Warfare, IP Stephenson states that the Vikings' "first described attack took place in 789 AD" (11). The Vikings were also known as Norsemen. They were great storytellers, and that's perhaps why society knows so much about them today. The stories told by the Norse were called Sagas. Today, the Vikings are often described as murderous savages, but while they didn't raid villages, they were actually a rather peaceful civilization. There were three countries from which the Vikings evolved; Norway, Denmark and Sweden. Although it may seem that all the Vikings were on the same side, they also argued with each other. Despite the fact that Viking battles were bloody and gruesome, they were also known to be the most hygienic among many of the previous civilizations. There wasn't a huge percentage of Vikings that went out and raided, but when they did they had a huge impact on what the Vikings are now known for. The success of Viking warfare and raids depended primarily on the use of armor, weapons, long ships, and battle tactics. The armor that the Vikings wore depended heavily on what they could provide for themselves as protection. Social status was an important factor in the quality of a warrior's armor. One of the most important pieces of armor used by the Vikings was their shield. The most common type of shield used in Viking warfare was a round shield. There were other shields during this period, but the circular shield made it extremely easy for the Vikings to move. A...... middle of paper...... in their enemies to take full advantage. When the Vikings set sail for a new city, just the sight of them made the inhabitants run in the opposite direction. For all the terror the Vikings spread, they didn't stay around for long. There are many other interesting choices and aspects of the Viking lifestyle, but their unique warfare techniques and strategies are what they are best known for. Works Cited Cohat, Yves. The Vikings: Lords of the Seas. Trans. Ruth Daniel. New York: A Times Mirror Company, 1992. Print.Sprague, Martina. Norse Warfare: The Unconventional Battle Strategies of the Ancient Vikings. New York: Hippocrene, 2007. Print.Stephenson, IP Viking Warfare. Stoud, Gloucestershire: Amberley Pub, 2012. Print. What Life Was Like When the Longships Sailed: Vikings 800-1100 AD Alexandria, Virginia: Time-Life, 1998. Print.