Did the Vikings know of England prior to their first raids?

Does this really mean Viking, or Norse (the pre-Christian term for Scandinavian)? Viking is a broad term for those northern pirates and raiders, who gained such a fearsome reputation in Britain and then further afield. read more

Viking is a broad term for those northern pirates and raiders, who gained such a fearsome reputation in Britain and then further afield. read more

First raids with a sailing boat marks the beginning of the Viking era but there were many before with row boats. In Chronological order. Year 720. Estonia and Finland is plundered, first viking ships with a sail is found from this time on island Ösel 750. Signs of Scandinavian establishment in Staraija Ladoga 770. read more

On a January day, the longships arrived and the Vikings attacked. They burned buildings, stole treasures, murdered monks, and terrified everyone. Some Christian Church leaders said the Vikings were sent by God, to punish people in England for doing wrong. Back to top. How Vikings attacked. The Vikings did not send many ships on their first raids. read more