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The Norsemen were a people originating from the North. Sometime before Christ, groups of Saxons expanded northwards and founded a settlement in today's southern Sweden. They kept moving northwars as the terrain became more hospitable in time. Eventually these Northern Saxons developed an own culture and differed greatly from their barbaric ancestors. In fact the Vikings were far more disciplined and developed. The Viking fortresses in particular were technological wonders.
The Viking age started in the early 700's AD when Vikings spread out on raiding waves in the following style:
Danish Vikings to France.
Norwegian Vikings to Britain.
Swedish Vikings to Finland and Russia.

Though Finland became an official part of Sweden first in the medieval times, the country was already settled by another barbaric tribe. Though it is unsure if these can be considered actual Vikings, since they were highly influenced by their "civilized" neighbors in Russia.

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For over one hundred years between the 700's and 800's, the Vikings was a united people that spread their culture - and warfare - across Europe. In a time when old pagan ways of thinking was since long gone, the Vikings did make a powerful brute force. They had no fear whatsoever, and was famous for their extreme strength that in some tales are supernatural. It is true, however, that the Vikings were strong. Enough to fight with a normally two-handed axe in one hand and a large shield in the other, yet still maintain accuracy and speed. But the Vikings were not just barbaric melee fighters. Javelinmen and archers were common for support, and the ships were in some cases equipped with ballistaes.

When the Vikings first begun attacking the civilized settlements, the results were devastating. For the defenders. The Vikings were far superior in skill, strength and courage compared to the knights and men at arms in western Europe. However, the Vikings did not take much advantage of these abilities on the field of battle since their main goal was to raid civilian settlements and steal gold.

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The Vikings had successfully become rich and powerful thanks to their raids. But one day Christianity came by a priest on visit to Birka, the capital of the Swedish Vikings. And with Christianity, there was war. Disagreement, ambition and hunger for power caused the Danish and Norwegian, still Pagan, Vikings to attack the Swedish. The war lasted for over a century until the last Dane had been killed and the Swedes ruled an independent country in the central North. Norway soon also converted to Christianity, and the two Christian nations joined together against the Danish. The fighting ended in the 1100's, when the Danish were completely driven out from mainland Sweden.

Many things are important to know and remember about the Vikings. These are some:

• The Viking helmets were not equipped with horns. This is a modern myth based on the appearance of the Viking ruler Ragnar Lodbrok.
• The Vikings were not barbarians. In fact they were more sophisticated than western Europe in many areas. These included ship building and fortress interior.
• Vikings were highly resistant to fear and pain, and constant training provided them with extreme strength.
• Vikings did not always use a battle axe. In fact their most preferred weapon is the long sword.
• The Vikings were the first Europeans to visit America.