NARRATOR:It is just over a thousand years ago and Vikings are travelling to Britain.
VIKING SETTLER:I was only 14 when we sailed to Britain.
VIKING SETTLER:We navigated by the stars at night.
VIKING SETTLER:And the setting of the sun.
VIKING MAN 2:Wake up, wake up, we are near land.
VIKING SETTLER:We just wanted to come and settle here and farm. The lands back home were not so fertile.
VIKING SETTLER:And of course, then I met your mother.
VIKING SETTLER:And as you know, your mother is Anglo Saxon.
VIKING BOY:So?
ANGLO SAXON MOTHER:My family were not very happy about it.
VIKING BOY:Why not?
ANGLO SAXON MOTHER:Not all Viking’s were as nice as your dad and granddad, god rest his soul. Viking does mean pirating you know.
ANGLO SAXON MOTHER:Some came here to raid.
ANGLO SAXON MOTHER:It was terrifying.
VIKING GIRL:So what happened next?
VIKING SETTLER:Queen Aethelflead, she’s what happened.
VIKING BOY:Who’s she?
ANGLO SAXON MOTHER:She was King Alfred’s daughter. King Alfred was the Anglo Saxon King of Wessex. He defeated the Viking raiders, but allowed them to live in Northern and Eastern England if they converted to Christianity and lived peacefully.
ANGLO SAXON MOTHER:This new place was called, Danelaw.
VIKING BOY:Did they keep the peace?
ANGLO SAXON MOTHER:Sadly not. Well King Alfred died, so it was up to Aethelflead to sort things out.
ANGLO SAXON MOTHER:She led her army into battle against the Vikings and ended up killing thousands.
VIKING SETTLER:But she did also bring some peace to the people.
QUEEN AETHELFLEAD:I am at war with your people, but if you promise peace, join me and I will protect you.
VIKING SETTLER:We are peaceful farmers. We do not wish to fight with you or anyone else.
QUEEN AETHELFLEAD:Good, see that you keep your promise and I shall keep mine.
VIKING SETTLER:Now, we don’t live with so much fear of war, it is better now.
VIKING SETTLER:So, that’s it. That’s our story.
VIKING GIRL:If you’re Anglo Saxon mum, and daddy's Viking, what does that make us?
VIKING SETTLER:A mix I suppose. Something new.
VIKING BOY:Wey hey it’s stopped snowing, come on.
Video summary
An exploration of life in Viking Britain through the eyes of a typical family.
Differing reasons for the Vikings coming to Britain are explored, and relationships between Anglo-Saxons and the Viking raiders are discussed.
Also shown is how King Alfred and Queen Aelthelflaed brought a kind of peace to the country.
This is from the series: The Story of Britain
Teacher Notes
Could be used to introduce the Vikings and to start discussions on their impact on Britain.
Why did the Vikings come to Britain? How did the Anglo-Saxons react? Would you say the Vikings were 'pushed' from Scandinavia or 'pulled' to Britain?
How safe was Britain to live in during the 9th century, in your opinion?
Students could also be asked to research Viking Britain – did the Vikings make Britain a better place to live in by 1000AD?
This clip will be suitable for teaching History at KS2 in England, Foundation Phase in Wales, KS1 and KS2 in Northern Ireland.
Also Early 1st and 2nd Level in Scotland.
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