P6/7 were pleased to welcome Viking, Freya Svensdottre, to our classroom. Freya shared stories and secrets about her life and culture. As a free Viking woman, Freya has travelled the length and breadth of Ireland trading her goods. Freya worked hard to dispel many myths about the Vikings.
We learned that the Vikings do not deserve their rather unfair reputation of being violent and uncivilised. They were more accurately skilled traders and craftsmen. Far from being uncivilised, they had a sophisticated society with everyone working together for the common good of their community. They were farmers and traders and brilliant ship builders. They designed and built longships which had the capability to sail to Russia and Iraq.
However while in Ireland, Freya admitted that the Vikings were surprised (and pleased) to meet monks who were ready made slaves as they were both hard working and submissive. The monks also had beautiful chalices and patens used during Mass which the Vikings took home to Norway. They also enslaved the monks and killed a few too.
Freya showed the children some of her weapons and shields. Some people tried on her chain mail and helmet. Another myth dispelled was Viking helmets did not have horns!
The children are now tasked with creating Viking factfiles using Google Slides to share on Google Classroom.
