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In AD793 the
monastery on the island of Lindisfarne on the North east coast
of England suffered a devastating attack by seaborne raiders from
Scandinavia. This was the first of many attacks that were carried
out throughout Europe over the next 273 years until King Harald of
Norway was beaten by Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Stamford
Bridge in 1066. |
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A Longships shallow
draught allowed the Vikings to navigate far up rivers that were
totally inaccessible to other types of ship. The Vikings would
arrive suddenly, ravage and plunder, and disappear just as quickly
before any resistance could be organised. |
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The Viking Longship
was the culmination of thousands of years experience of building
seagoing ships peaking around the 8th and 9th centuries; it was what
enabled the Vikings
were able to terrorise, explore and trade across vast stretches of
water. |
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Length: |
20m Average |
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Width: |
2.7m Average |
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Crew: |
20 - 60 depending on
the size of the ship |
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Speed (oars): |
2 knots under oar (4
knots max for limited periods) |
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Speed (sail): |
20 knots |
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Material: |
Ash, Oak, Elm, Pine
and others types of wood |
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