ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Viking Society for Northern Research

Okay kiddo, do you know who the Vikings were? They were people who lived a long time ago in an area called Scandinavia, which is now known as Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. They were very good at sailing and exploring new lands, and sometimes they even fought with other groups of people.

Now, let's talk about Viking society. This means how the Vikings lived and worked together. The Vikings were organized into groups called clans or tribes, and each group had its own leader called a chieftain. These clans would sometimes fight with each other, but they also worked together to farm, fish, and trade.

Viking societies were divided into different classes of people. At the top were the chieftains and their families, who were the most powerful and wealthy. Then there were the warriors, who protected the clan and went on raids to other lands. The farmers and craftspeople made up the majority of the population, and they worked hard to provide food, clothing, and other goods for their community.

One important aspect of Viking society was their religion. They believed in gods like Odin, Thor, and Freya, and they had special places to worship them called temples. They also honored their ancestors and believed in an afterlife where they could join them.

Today, people who are interested in learning more about Viking society study it through a field called northern research. This involves looking at things like archaeological remains, written accounts, and even art and music from the Viking era to understand how they lived. It helps us learn about our history and can give us a better appreciation for the way people lived long ago.