Nu Day Blades Blog

Thomas Hobbes famously wrote that the lives of men during the Middle Ages were “nasty, brutish and short.” While that may have been true of peasants populating the European countryside, it didn’t necessarily apply to the Vikings. These fearsome warriors utilized barbarous violence, sneak attacks and sailing expertise to relieve Europeans of their treasure. The Vikings’ talent for plunder was unparalleled.

English kings and land barons eventually built highly fortified castles to keep Vikings out, but no city or town within a day’s march of water was safe. Viking ships were designed for use in deep or shallow water, allowing them to sail up a river with ease and quickness. Many Europeans died by the Viking sword in the 11th century. The invaders even made journeys to the New World long before Columbus or any other European explorer.