Origins of the
Mediterranean and Baltic Sea Trade
Advancing Civilization and Christianity
/ Part 3 / Baltic Sea Trade /
Baltic Sea Trade
the
The Skrydstrup woman had an royal elegance. She was taller than most of the other women of that era. With long braided hair, worn up like a crown. With an intricately embroidered dress, and gold ornaments. She was discovered in an oak coffin, within an elaborate burial mound, in an area of Southern Denmark, where there had been large a settlement of longhouses. Known to have been a center of wealth and trade.
The Egtved girl and the Skrystrup woman lived at approximately the same time in history. Both were interrer in elite oak coffins, in elaborate burial mounds. Their garments and ornaments revealed the long distance trade that was occurring during that time. They were connected to a wide and varied cultural influnces outside their own.
The Vandals; In Swedish prehistory the Vandel period (550-790 A.D.) comes between the migration period and the Viking Age. The Vandals were a Roman-era, Germanic people. The tradition is that the Vandals migrated from Southern Scandinavia, and settled in Central Europe after the 2nd century B.C., along with other allied tribes, the Goths, Visigoths, and Ostrogoths, The Vandals were primarily farmers whose settlements were located along river valleys. They raised crops, tended cattle, and were skilled with horses and were craftsmen of jewelry, ceramics, weaving, and weaponry. Along with many other Germanic tribes the Vandals were participating in the, “wandering of the nations”, (376-476 A.D.) where a large scale migration, escaping the invasion of their lands, by the nomadic Hun's, brought them in closer contact with other cultures and the Roman Empire, some serving in the Roman legions. They eventually migrated into the Iberian peninsula, and afterward took control of Northern Africa. Where they defeated the Roman naval fleet of the West in 460 A.D., and were defeated by the Roman legions of the East in 533 A.D. The surviving Vandals lived within and were assimilated into Roman society, and were no longer a separate culture.
Anglo Saxons;"Germanic peoples" is a term which commonly includes peoples who were not referred to as Germanic by their contemporaries, and spoke distinct languages, only categorized as Germanic in modern times. Examples include the late Roman era Goths, or the early Medieval Norse speaking Vikings in Scandinavia. So, what we know call the Anglo-Saxons of Britain were a mixed Germanic/ Celtic/ Scandinavian Peoples. They were Germanic tribes which shared common culture, and origin. The Anglo-Saxons were a cultural group who inhabited Great Britain from the 5th century. They comprised people from Germanic tribes who migrated to the island from Continental Europe, their descendants, and indigenous British groups who adopted many aspects of Anglo-Saxon culture and language. The Anglo-Saxons established the Kingdom of England, and the modern English language owes almost half of its words – including the most common words of everyday speech – to their language. Historically, the Anglo-Saxon period denotes the period in Britain between about 450 and 1066, after their initial settlement and up until the Norman conquest. The early Anglo-Saxon period includes the creation of an English Nation, with many of the aspects that survive today,
A Roman scribe Pliny the Elder described the different Germanic tribes the Roman Legions encountered on the frontier in Northern Europe.
The Ingaevones, consisting of the Cimbri, Teutoni, and Chauci tribes. living by the North Sea.
The Istaevones, whose borders are the Rhine river.
The Hermiones, living in the in the interior regions, consist of the Suevi, Hermunduri, Chatti, and Cherusci tribes.
The Ingaevones were a West Germanic cultural group living along the North Sea coast in the areas of Jutland, Holstein, and Frisia .
The Ingaevones were made up of Cimbri, Teutons and Chauci. North Sea Germanic, also known as Ingvaeonic or Northern, West Germanic Languages, that consists of Old Frisian, Old English and Old Saxon and their descendants. Ingaevones formed the bulk of the Anglo-Saxon settlement in Britain.
The Celts; By the third century B.C., the Celts controlled much of the European continent north of the Alps mountain range, including present-day Ireland and Great Britain. It is these islands off Europe’s western coast in which Celtic culture was allowed to survive and thrive, as the Roman Empire expanded on the European continent The Celts were a collection of tribes with origins in central Europe that shared a similar language, religious beliefs, traditions and culture. It’s believed that the Celtic culture started to evolve as early as 1200 B.C. The Celts spread throughout western Europe—including Britain, Ireland, France and Spain—via migration. Their legacy remains most prominent in Ireland and Great Britain,where traces of their language and culture are still prominent today.
Vikings – Varangians; The Scandinavians of the Viking Age are referred to as Vikings or Norsemen, and was preceded by the Germanic Iron Age. The time of the Viking Age was from about 800-1050 A.D. The homelands of the Vikings were in Scandinavia, but the countries that make up that region today did not exist until the end of that age. Those Viking age people shared a common aspects, such as house construction, jewelry, tools, and weapons. Throughout that age the main focus was on the production of food. Farming, fishing, trapping, and gathering. Communities were self sufficient, taking advantage of the fertile soil, good pasture, abundant fishing areas, and whatever nature provided. They were experienced in making tools and equipment from raw materials. Self -sufficiency was the basis for their success. The local chieftains who felt threatened by nearby settlements, began to broaden their outlook to lands across the sea. At first trading goods from the North, amber, furs, timber, and iron for goods from the South gold, silver, silk, and spices. The seafaring Vikings came from the present day countries of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. Their reputation was as tactical warriors, shrewd traders, merchants and fearless explorers. For most of the men that became Vikings, they were planting crops and farming, then afterward went on sea raids, to return home to harvest their fields. Profitable raiding attracted more people to become Vikings, and to abandon other occupations.
long-ships were the epitome of Scandinavian naval power at the time and were highly valued possessions. They were often owned by coastal farmers and commissioned by the king in times of conflict, in order to build a powerful naval force. While long-ships were deployed by the Norse in warfare, they were mostly used for troop transports, not as warships. In the tenth century, these boats would sometimes be tied together in battle to form a steady platform for infantry warfare. Long-ships were called dragon-ships (drakuskippan) by the Franks, because they had a dragon shaped prow.
Then Nydam Ships ( 200-450 A.D. ) Oak and pine ships from the Nydam Mose / Bog, found with weapons and other spoils of war, represent the ships and equipment of those who were defeated in battle, and were sunk at this former lake, in Southern Jutland, after each victory. The Nydam Oak Ship is 75 feet in length,that would hold a crew of thirty. It is on display at Gottorp Castle, Schleswig, Germany.
The Gokstad Ship, 9th century Viking Ship, found in the burial mound site of Gokstad, in Norway. Clinker built of oak, 78 feet in length, that would hold a crew of 32, Intended for use in warfare, trade, transportation of people and cargo. it used a square sail that could propel the ship at 12 knots at sea. The mast could be lowered, and the rudder raised, for travel in shallow water. It is displayed at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway.
The Age of Sail (1571-1862) was a period in history in which international trade was dominated by sailing ships, lasting from the mid-16th to the mid-19th century. The Age of Sail runs from The Battle of Lepanto in 1571, the last significant engagement of ships a conflict in which oar-propelled galleys played a major role, to the Battle of Hampton Roads in 1862, in which the steam-powered ironclad CSS Virginia destroyed the sailing ships the USS Cumberland and the USS Congress, demonstrating that the advance of steam power had rendered sail power in warfare obsolete. The period between the between the mid-18th century and the early 19th century, when sailing vessels reached their peak of size and complexity is referred to as "The Golden Age of Sail". during this time the efficiency and use of commercial sailing vessels was at its peak, immediately before steamboats began to take trade away from shipping by sail.
From the mid 17th century to the early 19th century the British empire was built on trade by the trading companies, East India, wars were incited with other countries, Netherlands, France, Spain over control of trade with or conquest of regions with valuable resources that could be exploited for gain. For these reasons the motto “ the sun never sets on the British Empire “ was adopted, because of the reach and their domination of the sea trade and colonial territories that spanned the globe, to maintain and control such a vast, expansive and diverse network, a fleet of superior naval vessels were needed. The need for the most useful and efficient ships fueled the ship yards of Europe to produce them. The most basic ships were redesigned by the Sea Power countries, Britain, France, and Spain in attempts to gain advantage over the other as master of the Seas. A most diverse set of ships were built and copied by the other countries. Until the 15th century, Europeans were limited to coastal navigation. The Caravel was developed about 1451, based upon existing fishing boats. They were agile and easier to navigate, with lateen triangular sails. Being smaller and having a shallow keel, the Caravel could sail sail upriver in shallow coastal waters. With the lateen sails attached, it was highly maneuverable, and could sail much closer to shore. While with the square Atlantic-type sails attached, it was very fast. Its economy, speed, agility, and power made it esteemed as the best sailing vessel of its time. The limited capacity for cargo and crew was its main drawbacks, but did not hinder its success. The Caravel was later replaced by the larger Carrack, which was much more profitable for trading. the Carrack was a three- or four-masted ocean-going sailing ship that was developed in the 14th to 15th centuries in Europe. Evolved from the single-masted Cog, the Carrack was first used for European trade from the Mediterranean to the Baltic and quickly found use with the newly found wealth of the trans-Atlantic trade between Europe and Africa and then the Americas. In their most advanced forms, they were used by the Portuguese for trade between Europe and Asia starting in the late 15th century, before eventually being superseded in the 17th century by the galleon, introduced in the 16th century. In the middle of the 16th century, a lowering of the carrack's forecastle and elongation of the hull gave the ocean-going galleons an unprecedented level of stability in the water,
Galleons
were large multi decked sailing ships, first used as armed cargo
carriers by European States, from the 16th to 18th
centuries, during the Age of Sail, Galleons generally carried three
or four masts with a lateen fore-and-aft rig on the rear masts, and
square rigged sails plans on their fore-mast and main-mast. Such
ships were the mainstay of maritime commerce into the early 19th
century. Gallons were cheaper to build, and could be used in both
military and trade. The Galleon was the prototype of all square
rigged ships with three or more masts for over two and a half
centuries. Sailing
ships became longer and faster over time, with square rigged vessels
carrying taller masts, with more square sails. Sailing ships with
predominantly square rigs became prevalent during the Age of
Discovery, when they crossed oceans between continents and around the
world, most sailing ships were merchant men, but Age of Sail also saw
development of large well-armed warships.
A clipper ship was a type of mid-19th-century merchant sailing ship, designed for speed. Developed from a type of schooner known as Baltimore clippers, clipper ships had three masts and a square rig. they were generally narrow for the length, small by later 19th century standards, and could carry limited bulk freight, and had a large total sail area. Clipper ships were mostly constructed in British, and American shipyards, clippers sailed all over the world, primarily on the trade routes between the United Kingdom and China, in transatlantic trade, and on the New York-to-San Francisco route around Cape Horn during the California gold rush. The boom years of the clipper ship era began in 1843 as a result of a growing demand for a more rapid delivery of tea from China, It continued after the discovery of gold in California and Australia in 1848 and 1851. Optimized for speed they typically carried extra sail "sky-sails, moon-rakers, studding-sails ". Types of clipper ships were designed to sacrifice cargo for speed "the extreme clipper". The first extreme clipper ship the Rainbow, built in 1845, followed by the Sea Witch in 1846. Both vessels being influential in later merchant hull designs. They were built to minimize the effect of water resistance against the hull. on the second voyage to China, In 1847 the clipper ship Rainbow sailed from New York to China in 92 days and returned in 88 days. Few if any other square rigged ships could match the speed of these new "extreme" clipper ships.
From the earliest recorded history and in the archaeological records before that. The use of wind and water by mankind in sailboats to facilitate trade relations is well documented. Alongside the wheel, this innovation became a catalyst in the advancement of trade in the earliest cultures, societies and civilizations. Those who could harness the wind at sea, like those who harnessed the horse on land, had a new source of energy. Unlike a horse that can be tamed, the wind and sea were at times very unpredictable in their nature. Despite all of the hazards of seafaring, there were those who, with enthusiasm and determination, embraced the new technology of sailing as a means to accomplish greater tasks, and endeavored to seek greater knowledge and understanding of the world in general. Development of sailing techniques and shipbuilding added value to the cultures that had the knowledge and ability to take advantage of it. The earliest known sailing knowledge was known to the pacific islanders as a means for livelihood but, the most advancements in ships and trade were in the Mediterranean sea. Early Egyptians utilized the Nile river for trade and cargo shipments. As the ability to navigate with the wind, by means of the invention of the sail became more widespread, seagoing boats were built for the open sea. Those who learned to sail from port to port by the stars, became the masters of the Mediterranean.
Baltic Sea Trade
the
Nordic Culture
and
and
Long-Distance Trade
The
Nordic Bronze Age emerged about 1700 B.C. Through the fusion of the
Battle Axe culture and the Pitted Ware culture. They maintained close
Trade links
with Mycenaean Greece, with whom it shares many similarities. The
Nordic Bronze Age amber was exported over the amber road, which linked the Baltic Sea to the Adriatic Sea, importing
metals in return. Copper, tin,and gold were imported from the
Mediterranean into Scandinavia in large quantities. Trade
was
briefly disrupted during the Bronze Age Collapse in the 12 century
B.C. Nordic Bronze Age workmanship and designs is very similar to
Mycenaean Greece, and of such a nature that the Nordic Bronze Age
culture has been described as a Nordic version of Mycenaean high
culture. These similarities could not have occurred without
consistent contact with the Mycenaean's. Such similarities are not
seen in other European Bronze Age cultures.
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| Nordic Petroglyph |
Thousands
of rock carvings from the Nordic Bronze Age depict ships, along with the
large stone burial monuments, known as “stone ships” show that seafaring played an important role in the Nordic culture. The
ships that are depicted show a type of plank built “canoes” used
for fishing, trade,
and warfare. These
vessels have their origins as far back as Neolithic times, and
continues up into the Pre-Roman Iron Age. One example is the, pre-iron age, Hjortspring boat discovered in Denmark. During the Nordic Bronze Age (1700-500 B.C.) an advanced
civilization begins to appear in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. They
manufactured bronze tools, and weapons as well as jewelry and other
artifacts from imported Bronze and gold, that was exchanged for
Baltic amber, through trade with
Central Europe and Mediterranean cultures.
The
Atlantic and North Sea coastal regions of Scandinavia, and Baltic
were united by a maritime economy, allowing for a widespread
geographical culture. The large number of rock carvings of ships
throughout the region attest to a seafaring culture, where the sea
brought the people together in a common environment. At the beginning
of the Nordic Bronze Age society flourished with the emergence of
long distance trade in
metals, from 1600 B.C. onward southern Scandinavia came to be
closely linked with the other existing trade
networks, and from 1500
B.C. Onward a separate Nordic style emerged from European and
Mediterranean influence's.
Nordic
style emerged from European and Mediterranean influence's Bronze
Age people were not just trading,
but were traveling long distances. Nordic amber has been found in
many locations in southern Europe and around the Mediterranean. Blue
glass beads from Egypt and Mesopotamia have been found in
Scandinavian grave sites. These goods were traded
by people venturing to far off lands. The European Bronze Age was a
time of innovation, social transformation, and expansion of
knowledge, being brought about with the help of long distance trade
connections,
international trade
relations were established and maintained. Proof of this are in the
artifacts discovered across Northern Europe.
Women in trade, and Nordic Bronze Age girls.
The Egtved girl, is a Nordic Bronze Age girl. She is named after the Danish village where she was discovered, in a Bronze Age oak coffin, in an elite burial site. She was of high status, and was wearing a woolen dress, and bronze disk shaped belt plate, both made from materials from Southern Europe. Bronze Age Denmark was a consistent source of Baltic amber, sought after by Mycenaean Greece, and the Middle East, with Southern German merchants facilitating the trade between the two regions, with bronze as the means of payment. In Bronze Age Western Europe, Denmark and Southern Germany were two centers of dominance. The Egtved girls garments were evidence of the relationship between the two trading centers.The Skrydstrup woman had an royal elegance. She was taller than most of the other women of that era. With long braided hair, worn up like a crown. With an intricately embroidered dress, and gold ornaments. She was discovered in an oak coffin, within an elaborate burial mound, in an area of Southern Denmark, where there had been large a settlement of longhouses. Known to have been a center of wealth and trade.
The Egtved girl and the Skrystrup woman lived at approximately the same time in history. Both were interrer in elite oak coffins, in elaborate burial mounds. Their garments and ornaments revealed the long distance trade that was occurring during that time. They were connected to a wide and varied cultural influnces outside their own.
The Iron Age; The 6th and 5th centuries B.C. were times of change for importing and exporting in Europe. Conflicts in Central European and Mediterranean cultures interrupted major trade routes between Scandinavia and the Mediterranean at the end of the Nordic Bronze Age, and caused cultural changes in Scandinavia. Bronze became scarce, and iron a local resource, began to be used more extensively as a substitute for bronze. Starting
in the 6th century BC, the use of iron as a material begins in the
north. During the 1st century BC, Roman troops and German tribes
conquer Celtic territory and join up on the Rhine and Danube. As a
result, the exchange of information and material arises. Names and
actions by the population in the north become known in the Roman Empire
and are recorded. The Germanic cultures step into the light of Roman
historiography.
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| Hammer of Thor |
Germanic
Cultures; The Roman Iron Age (1-400A.D.).The name originates from the hold the Roman empire exerted on the Germanic tribes of Northern Europe.in Scandinavia there was a large importation of goods, such as coins, vessels, bronze images, glass beakers, enameled buckles, and weapons. the style and make of these objects were of Roman origin.
The Vandals; In Swedish prehistory the Vandel period (550-790 A.D.) comes between the migration period and the Viking Age. The Vandals were a Roman-era, Germanic people. The tradition is that the Vandals migrated from Southern Scandinavia, and settled in Central Europe after the 2nd century B.C., along with other allied tribes, the Goths, Visigoths, and Ostrogoths, The Vandals were primarily farmers whose settlements were located along river valleys. They raised crops, tended cattle, and were skilled with horses and were craftsmen of jewelry, ceramics, weaving, and weaponry. Along with many other Germanic tribes the Vandals were participating in the, “wandering of the nations”, (376-476 A.D.) where a large scale migration, escaping the invasion of their lands, by the nomadic Hun's, brought them in closer contact with other cultures and the Roman Empire, some serving in the Roman legions. They eventually migrated into the Iberian peninsula, and afterward took control of Northern Africa. Where they defeated the Roman naval fleet of the West in 460 A.D., and were defeated by the Roman legions of the East in 533 A.D. The surviving Vandals lived within and were assimilated into Roman society, and were no longer a separate culture.
Anglo Saxons;"Germanic peoples" is a term which commonly includes peoples who were not referred to as Germanic by their contemporaries, and spoke distinct languages, only categorized as Germanic in modern times. Examples include the late Roman era Goths, or the early Medieval Norse speaking Vikings in Scandinavia. So, what we know call the Anglo-Saxons of Britain were a mixed Germanic/ Celtic/ Scandinavian Peoples. They were Germanic tribes which shared common culture, and origin. The Anglo-Saxons were a cultural group who inhabited Great Britain from the 5th century. They comprised people from Germanic tribes who migrated to the island from Continental Europe, their descendants, and indigenous British groups who adopted many aspects of Anglo-Saxon culture and language. The Anglo-Saxons established the Kingdom of England, and the modern English language owes almost half of its words – including the most common words of everyday speech – to their language. Historically, the Anglo-Saxon period denotes the period in Britain between about 450 and 1066, after their initial settlement and up until the Norman conquest. The early Anglo-Saxon period includes the creation of an English Nation, with many of the aspects that survive today,
The Ingaevones, consisting of the Cimbri, Teutoni, and Chauci tribes. living by the North Sea.
The Istaevones, whose borders are the Rhine river.
The Hermiones, living in the in the interior regions, consist of the Suevi, Hermunduri, Chatti, and Cherusci tribes.
The Ingaevones were a West Germanic cultural group living along the North Sea coast in the areas of Jutland, Holstein, and Frisia .
The Ingaevones were made up of Cimbri, Teutons and Chauci. North Sea Germanic, also known as Ingvaeonic or Northern, West Germanic Languages, that consists of Old Frisian, Old English and Old Saxon and their descendants. Ingaevones formed the bulk of the Anglo-Saxon settlement in Britain.
There is an overlap between Germanic tribes of the Istvaeonic language and culture, and later tribes that were the earliest of the "Franks". The Franks were a group of Germanic people, whose name was first mentioned in 3rd century Roman sources, and were considered to be the tribes living between th lower Rhine and Ems rivers, on the edge of the Roman Empire. In the Middle Ages, the term Frank came to be used as a term for Western European, as the Carolingian franks were rulers of most of western Europe, and established a political order that was the basis of one of the oldest European monarchy, that ended with the French revolution.
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| Celtic Cross |
The Celts; By the third century B.C., the Celts controlled much of the European continent north of the Alps mountain range, including present-day Ireland and Great Britain. It is these islands off Europe’s western coast in which Celtic culture was allowed to survive and thrive, as the Roman Empire expanded on the European continent The Celts were a collection of tribes with origins in central Europe that shared a similar language, religious beliefs, traditions and culture. It’s believed that the Celtic culture started to evolve as early as 1200 B.C. The Celts spread throughout western Europe—including Britain, Ireland, France and Spain—via migration. Their legacy remains most prominent in Ireland and Great Britain,where traces of their language and culture are still prominent today.
The
Germanic Iron Age; A
new age began in Northern Europe it was The Germanic Iron Age, it is
divided into the early and late stages. In Sweden (550-800 A.D.) it
is called the Vendal Era in Norway, and Finland it is called the
Merovingian Age. The Germanic Iron Age begins with the fall of the
Roman Empire, and the rise of the Celtic and Germanic kingdoms in
Western Europe. It is followed in Northern Europe and Scandinavia by
the Viking Age. During the decline of the Roman Empire an abundance
of gold flowed into Scandinavia. There have been found artifacts of
highest quality, made during this time (5-6 centuries A.D.) such as
scabbard mountings and bracelets. The Roman Empire had been overrun
by Germanic tribes, and many Scandinavians returned home with gold
and silver received in payment for services for or against the
Romans.
Vikings – Varangians; The Scandinavians of the Viking Age are referred to as Vikings or Norsemen, and was preceded by the Germanic Iron Age. The time of the Viking Age was from about 800-1050 A.D. The homelands of the Vikings were in Scandinavia, but the countries that make up that region today did not exist until the end of that age. Those Viking age people shared a common aspects, such as house construction, jewelry, tools, and weapons. Throughout that age the main focus was on the production of food. Farming, fishing, trapping, and gathering. Communities were self sufficient, taking advantage of the fertile soil, good pasture, abundant fishing areas, and whatever nature provided. They were experienced in making tools and equipment from raw materials. Self -sufficiency was the basis for their success. The local chieftains who felt threatened by nearby settlements, began to broaden their outlook to lands across the sea. At first trading goods from the North, amber, furs, timber, and iron for goods from the South gold, silver, silk, and spices. The seafaring Vikings came from the present day countries of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. Their reputation was as tactical warriors, shrewd traders, merchants and fearless explorers. For most of the men that became Vikings, they were planting crops and farming, then afterward went on sea raids, to return home to harvest their fields. Profitable raiding attracted more people to become Vikings, and to abandon other occupations.
During
The Viking Age Scandinavians built settlements throughout Europe and
beyond. It came about as a result of the expanding centers of trade
throughout the European
mainland, as trade
routes pushed further north. Anglo Saxon England began to prosper
,and the Vikings sought out these profitable areas in England, as
well as elsewhere in Continental Europe, and the Mediterranean
region. The impact the Vikings had changed the history of British
Isles, and Europe.
The
Viking Age occurred as a result of technological innovations
developed in sailing. making it possible for Viking raiders to reach
far away locations. Larger sails were made primarily for this use.They
created long-ships that were specifically designed for sea travel. The
Vikings were competent sailors, with advanced ships and navigation
they used their long-ships for long-distance travel. The shallow
draft of the boats made it possible, after a sea voyage, to continue
their travels, sailing into shallow waters in rivers, allowing them
more accessibility farther inland. The ships were agile and
lightweight enough to be able to carry over land, from one river
system to another. The kingdoms of the Vikings developed into
fortified coastal towns, dependent on the North and Baltic Sea for
survival. Control of the waterways was of the upmost importance, and
the best built ships were in demand. The Viking Age was also the long
ship age, it was the one thing that provided the means, and ability
to achieve their greatness in warfare, politics, and Trade.
Because of the importance of the ships, they became a religious
symbol of dominance and strength.
The Varangians; The new term Varangian was increasingly preferred to the name Scandinavian, mostly from what today is Sweden, plying river-routes between the Baltic and the Black Seas. The name is derived from Old Norse language "Vaeringi" Var / pledge of faith, and "Gengi" / sworn companion, extended to mean, a one who has taken an oath or pledged into to a foreign service. The Varangians left a number of rune stones in their native Sweden, that tell of their journeys. The Varangian runestones tell of many notable expeditions, and the individual warriors and travelers. The largest group of runestones tell of foreign voyages, these are known as the Greece runestones, these were placed by former members of the Varangian Guard or in their memory. a smaller group are the Italy runestones, raised in memory of members of the Varangain Guard who died in the conquest of Southern Italy.
Norsemen; The term Norsemen "Northman" applied to Norse-speakers, by the peoples they encountered, during the Middle Ages.The Old Frankish word Nortmann / Northman, was Latinized as Normannus, and widely used in Latin texts
The Varangians; The new term Varangian was increasingly preferred to the name Scandinavian, mostly from what today is Sweden, plying river-routes between the Baltic and the Black Seas. The name is derived from Old Norse language "Vaeringi" Var / pledge of faith, and "Gengi" / sworn companion, extended to mean, a one who has taken an oath or pledged into to a foreign service. The Varangians left a number of rune stones in their native Sweden, that tell of their journeys. The Varangian runestones tell of many notable expeditions, and the individual warriors and travelers. The largest group of runestones tell of foreign voyages, these are known as the Greece runestones, these were placed by former members of the Varangian Guard or in their memory. a smaller group are the Italy runestones, raised in memory of members of the Varangain Guard who died in the conquest of Southern Italy.
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| Nordic Rune Stone |
Norsemen; The term Norsemen "Northman" applied to Norse-speakers, by the peoples they encountered, during the Middle Ages.The Old Frankish word Nortmann / Northman, was Latinized as Normannus, and widely used in Latin texts
, then entered the Old French language as Normans. from that word comes Normandy, which was settled by the Norseman in the tenth century. In Scandinavia, the Viking age is considered to have ended with the the establishment of royal authority, and Christianity in the Scandinavian countries. As a result of the Viking age Scandinavia developed from loose knit, independently ruled tribal communities to the three Nordic countries that exist today.
Long-Ships; were naval vessels made and used by the Vikings from Scandinavia and Iceland for trade, commerce, exploration, and warfare during the Viking Age. The long-ship's design evolved over many years, beginning in the Stone Age with the invention of the umiak, and continuing up to the 9th century with the Nydam and Kvalsund ships. The long-ship appears in its complete form between the 9th and 13th centuries. The character and apperance of these ships have been refelected in Scandinavian boat-building traditions until today. The average speed of Viking ships varied from ship to ship but lay in the range of 5-10 knots, and the maximum speed of a long-ship under favorable conditions was around 15 knots.
The long-ship is characterized as a graceful, long, narrow, light, wooden boat with a shallow draft hull designed for speed. The ship's shallow draft allowed navigation in waters only one meter deep and permitted beach landings, while its light weight enabled it to be carried over portages Long-ships were also double-ended, the symmetrical bow and stern allowing the ship to reverse direction quickly without having to turn around. Long-ships were fitted with oars along almost the entire length of the boat itself. Later versions sported a rectangular sail on a single mast which was used to replace or augment the effort of the rowers, particularly during long journeys.
long-ships were the epitome of Scandinavian naval power at the time and were highly valued possessions. They were often owned by coastal farmers and commissioned by the king in times of conflict, in order to build a powerful naval force. While long-ships were deployed by the Norse in warfare, they were mostly used for troop transports, not as warships. In the tenth century, these boats would sometimes be tied together in battle to form a steady platform for infantry warfare. Long-ships were called dragon-ships (drakuskippan) by the Franks, because they had a dragon shaped prow.
The
Drekar or dragon headed long-ships carried Viking raiders from
Northern England to North Africa. Viking expertise in naval
craftsmanship soon led to the evolution of other types of ships.
Among these were the Knarr, or ocean going cargo vessel. Which
facilitated far flung trading networks. Scandinavia is a
region with high inland mountain ranges, dense forests, and easy
access to the sea with many ports. The ship has been functioning as a
centerpiece of Scandinavian culture for over a thousand year. Serving
both utilitarian and religious roles, it's importance was already
established before the Viking Age. Stone engravings from the Nordic
Stone and Bronze Ages depict ships in various locations, and types. Some
of the most valuable ships were sacrificed in traditional rituals,
and ceremonial burials, since the Nordic Iron Age, as revealed in the
discovery of the Hyjortspring, and Nydam boats unearthed in Denmark.
Starting
in the 8th century in Denmark, Vikings were building
clinker-constructed long-ships propelled by a single, square sail,
when practical, and oars, when necessary. A related craft was the
knarr, which plied the Baltic and North Seas, using primarily sail
power. The windward edge of the sail was stiffened with a beitass, a
pole that fitted into the lower corner of the sail, when sailing close
to
the wind. The North Sea rovers
were traders, colonizers, explorers, and plunderers.
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| Viking Longboat |
long-ships can be classified into a number of different types, depending on
size, construction details, and prestige. The most common way to
classify long-ships is by the number of rowing positions on board.
Types ranged from the Karvi, with 13 rowing benches, to the Busse,
one of which has been found with an estimated 34 rowing positions.
Throughout
the first millennium, respectable Viking chieftains and their
relatives were commonly buried with an intact, luxurious ship to
transport them in the afterlife. Furthermore, the Hedeby coins, among
the earliest known Danish currency, have impressions of ships as
emblems, showing the importance of naval vessels in the area. Through
such cultural and practical significance, the Viking ship progressed
into the most powerful, advanced naval vessel in Viking Age Europe.
Burial of ships is an ancient tradition in Scandinavia, as far back as the Nordic Iron Age. The Hjortspring boat (400-300 B.C.), and The Nydam boat (200-450 A.D.) are examples of ship burials found by archaeologist. Ships and the Sea have held a major role in the Norse culture since the Nordic Bronze Age.
The Hjortspring Boat is a vessel designed as a large canoe, from the Scandinavian Pre-Roman Iron Age.It was built circa 400-300 B.C. The hull and remains were excavated from the bog of Hjortspring Mose / Bog, on the Island of Als in Southern Denmark. this boat is the oldest wooden plank ship in Scandinavia, and closely resembles the thousands of petroglyphs of the Nordic Bronze Age ships found throughout Scandinavia. The vessel is a clinker built wooden boat, 62 feet in length, that would hold a crew of twenty. It is on display at the National Museum of Denmark.
The Oseberg Ship, a 8th century Viking ship discovered in a large burial mound near Tonsberg, Norway. Clinker built of oak, a Karve style of ship, could achived speeds up to 10 knots it had a mast for a sail, steering oar, and anchor,with elaborate carvings on the bow and stern. 70 feet in length, that would hold a crew of 30. Known to be the best example of a Viking Ship. It is on display at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway.
The Gokstad Ship, 9th century Viking Ship, found in the burial mound site of Gokstad, in Norway. Clinker built of oak, 78 feet in length, that would hold a crew of 32, Intended for use in warfare, trade, transportation of people and cargo. it used a square sail that could propel the ship at 12 knots at sea. The mast could be lowered, and the rudder raised, for travel in shallow water. It is displayed at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway.
The Tune Ship,( 910 A.D. ) A Viking ship found in a burial mound, in Viken, Norway. A Karve style of ship, made of clinkered oak planks, with a mast for a sail. It was 60 feet in length, that wold hold a crew of 26. It is on display at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway.
The Karve was a small type of Viking Long-Ship, with a broad hull similar to the Knarr type of ship. It was used for both war and transport, carrying people, cargo, or livestock. Because they were able to navigate in very shallow water, they were also used for sailing close to shore.
Knarr is the Norse term for ships that were built for Atlantic voyages, They were sturdy cargo ships average length of about 54 feet, and 15 feet wide, depending mostly on sail power. The Knarr was used for longer more hazardous voyages on the open Sea, carrying goods and materials. 75 mile a day voyages with a crew of 30 was standard.
Sailing
Ships in the Mediterranean region date to 3000 B.C., when Egyptians
used a bi-pod mast to support a single square sail on a vessel that
mainly relied on multiple paddlers. Later the mast became a single
pole, and paddlers were replaced with oars. Such vessels cruised both
the Nile and Mediterranean coast. The people of Crete had sailing
vessels by 1200 B.C., between 1000 B.C. And 400 A.D. The Phoenicians,
Greeks, and Romans developed ships that were powered by square sails,
sometimes with oars. Such vessels used a steering oar as a rudder to
control direction. Fore-and-aft sails began appearing on sailing
vessels in the Mediterranean about 1200 A.D. By the 8th
century in Scandinavia Vikings were building clinker-construction
long-ships, propelled by a single square sail, when practical and oars
when necessary. Another sailing craft built by the Vikings was the
Knarr, that used primarily wind power, and utilized a bitass, or pole
that stiffened the lower edge of the sail.
The Vikings came into contact with Christianity through their explorations, trading, and warfare. When they settled in lands with christian populations, they adopted to Christianity rapidly, in places like Normandy, England, and Ireland. As well as conversion to Christianity abroad, Scandinavia became Christian after Anglo Saxon and German missionaries arrived in the 11th and 12th centuries.
while Charlemagne convinced people to become Christian by the sword, the Vikings conversion was not by violent means, but came about because of personal and economic reasons. The best trade was being given to the Christian communities, because of the honesty and stability of the Christian's fair trading practices. By the end of the Viking Age, most all of Scandinavia became Christian, and were baptized into, and lived, and were buried as Christians.
The Age of Sail (1571-1862) was a period in history in which international trade was dominated by sailing ships, lasting from the mid-16th to the mid-19th century. The Age of Sail runs from The Battle of Lepanto in 1571, the last significant engagement of ships a conflict in which oar-propelled galleys played a major role, to the Battle of Hampton Roads in 1862, in which the steam-powered ironclad CSS Virginia destroyed the sailing ships the USS Cumberland and the USS Congress, demonstrating that the advance of steam power had rendered sail power in warfare obsolete. The period between the between the mid-18th century and the early 19th century, when sailing vessels reached their peak of size and complexity is referred to as "The Golden Age of Sail". during this time the efficiency and use of commercial sailing vessels was at its peak, immediately before steamboats began to take trade away from shipping by sail.
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| Caravel |
From the mid 17th century to the early 19th century the British empire was built on trade by the trading companies, East India, wars were incited with other countries, Netherlands, France, Spain over control of trade with or conquest of regions with valuable resources that could be exploited for gain. For these reasons the motto “ the sun never sets on the British Empire “ was adopted, because of the reach and their domination of the sea trade and colonial territories that spanned the globe, to maintain and control such a vast, expansive and diverse network, a fleet of superior naval vessels were needed. The need for the most useful and efficient ships fueled the ship yards of Europe to produce them. The most basic ships were redesigned by the Sea Power countries, Britain, France, and Spain in attempts to gain advantage over the other as master of the Seas. A most diverse set of ships were built and copied by the other countries. Until the 15th century, Europeans were limited to coastal navigation. The Caravel was developed about 1451, based upon existing fishing boats. They were agile and easier to navigate, with lateen triangular sails. Being smaller and having a shallow keel, the Caravel could sail sail upriver in shallow coastal waters. With the lateen sails attached, it was highly maneuverable, and could sail much closer to shore. While with the square Atlantic-type sails attached, it was very fast. Its economy, speed, agility, and power made it esteemed as the best sailing vessel of its time. The limited capacity for cargo and crew was its main drawbacks, but did not hinder its success. The Caravel was later replaced by the larger Carrack, which was much more profitable for trading. the Carrack was a three- or four-masted ocean-going sailing ship that was developed in the 14th to 15th centuries in Europe. Evolved from the single-masted Cog, the Carrack was first used for European trade from the Mediterranean to the Baltic and quickly found use with the newly found wealth of the trans-Atlantic trade between Europe and Africa and then the Americas. In their most advanced forms, they were used by the Portuguese for trade between Europe and Asia starting in the late 15th century, before eventually being superseded in the 17th century by the galleon, introduced in the 16th century. In the middle of the 16th century, a lowering of the carrack's forecastle and elongation of the hull gave the ocean-going galleons an unprecedented level of stability in the water,
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| Galleon |
During
the first half of the 18th century saw the development of
new type of ships called, “Ship of the Line” a type of naval
warship. The Ship of the Line evolved from the Galleon, a three or
four masted vessel that carried heavy guns along two decks. They carried a force of about 800 soldiers and sailors. Fleets of
these ships engaged in combat would form in a line-of battle, and
maneuver to fire their cannon in a broadside against the opposing
fleet. This type of ship became the standard battleship of European
naval forces from the 17th through to the 19th
century.
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| Frigate |
The
17th
century Frigate was any warship built for speed and maneuverability,
“Frigate Built”. These were ships to small to stand in the
line-of-battle. they were full rigged ships. Square-rigged on all
three masts. They had a lighter armament than a ship of the line, and
were used for scouting, patrolling and escort. They were able to
carry six months of provisions, and had a long-distance range on the
sea. They were sent on commerce-raiding missions against merchant
shipping, and were formidable opponents to privateers. In
the last quarter of the 18th
century, large European sailing vessels were being classified based
upon their hull design, by the end of the century they were being
classified according to their rigging, rather than their hull design, such as a Brig, Barque, or Schooner.
A clipper ship was a type of mid-19th-century merchant sailing ship, designed for speed. Developed from a type of schooner known as Baltimore clippers, clipper ships had three masts and a square rig. they were generally narrow for the length, small by later 19th century standards, and could carry limited bulk freight, and had a large total sail area. Clipper ships were mostly constructed in British, and American shipyards, clippers sailed all over the world, primarily on the trade routes between the United Kingdom and China, in transatlantic trade, and on the New York-to-San Francisco route around Cape Horn during the California gold rush. The boom years of the clipper ship era began in 1843 as a result of a growing demand for a more rapid delivery of tea from China, It continued after the discovery of gold in California and Australia in 1848 and 1851. Optimized for speed they typically carried extra sail "sky-sails, moon-rakers, studding-sails ". Types of clipper ships were designed to sacrifice cargo for speed "the extreme clipper". The first extreme clipper ship the Rainbow, built in 1845, followed by the Sea Witch in 1846. Both vessels being influential in later merchant hull designs. They were built to minimize the effect of water resistance against the hull. on the second voyage to China, In 1847 the clipper ship Rainbow sailed from New York to China in 92 days and returned in 88 days. Few if any other square rigged ships could match the speed of these new "extreme" clipper ships.
The Flying Cloud was a clipper ship that could claim the fastest passage between New York and San Francisco, 89 days, 8 hours. Josiah Perkins Creesy, who skippered the Flying Cloud on record setting voyages from New York to San Francisco in 1851 and 1854. Eleanor Creesy, the wife of Captain Josiah P. Creesy, was the navigator on her husbands ships, she learned navigational skills from her father, Captain John Prentiss, and was one of the first women to navigate ships at sea, and is acknowledged as having a major role in the record setting voyages of the Flying Cloud. The last China trade Clipper ships were acknowledged as the fastest sailing vessels. When fully rigged and riding a trade wind, they had peak average speeds over 16 knots. China trade Clipper Ships were the fastest commercial sailing vessels ever made. The American vessels were known to be the fastest. The Sovereign of the Seas clipper ship, reported the highest speed ever achieved by a sailing ship - 22 knots. Made while running "easting" down to Australia in 1854. There are 11 other instances of a sailing ship logging 18 knots or over, ten of these were American Clipper Ships. Besides the 465 nautical-mile record of the Champion of the Seas clipper ship, there are another 13 clipper ships sailing over 400 nautical-miles in 24 hours, and with few exceptions all of the port-to-port sailing records are held by American Clipper Ships, The decline in the use of clipper ships started with the economic downturn following the panic of 1857, and continued with the gradual introduction of the steamship.
From the earliest recorded history and in the archaeological records before that. The use of wind and water by mankind in sailboats to facilitate trade relations is well documented. Alongside the wheel, this innovation became a catalyst in the advancement of trade in the earliest cultures, societies and civilizations. Those who could harness the wind at sea, like those who harnessed the horse on land, had a new source of energy. Unlike a horse that can be tamed, the wind and sea were at times very unpredictable in their nature. Despite all of the hazards of seafaring, there were those who, with enthusiasm and determination, embraced the new technology of sailing as a means to accomplish greater tasks, and endeavored to seek greater knowledge and understanding of the world in general. Development of sailing techniques and shipbuilding added value to the cultures that had the knowledge and ability to take advantage of it. The earliest known sailing knowledge was known to the pacific islanders as a means for livelihood but, the most advancements in ships and trade were in the Mediterranean sea. Early Egyptians utilized the Nile river for trade and cargo shipments. As the ability to navigate with the wind, by means of the invention of the sail became more widespread, seagoing boats were built for the open sea. Those who learned to sail from port to port by the stars, became the masters of the Mediterranean.
As
shown throughout ancient history every culture with the most technological advancements in sailing knowledge and ships were some of the most advanced and prosperous civilizations. The Minoans advanced this way, the Mycenaeans inherited it from the Monoans, the Grecians inherited it from the Myceneaens. each advancing to a greater extent than the previous civilization.
The greatest early sea traders of the Mediterranean were by far the Phoenician's, whose seafaring knowledge far surpassed anyone of their time. They were the preeminent sea traders who with few
permanent settlements, became the sea people.
Roman Authority
eventually became to dominate the known world, and attempted to make
advancements into the unknown world, not as traders but as
conquerors. The
ancient sailing- trading cultures of the Mediterranean were in
contact with the other trading -cultures, in Eastern Asia, Indian
Ocean, West Africa, Southern Atlantic Ocean and Northern Europe,
Northern Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, and Baltic Sea The regions of Europe
now known as Spain, France, England, The Netherlands, Germany, and
Scandinavia were very much influenced by ancient foreign trade. A
trade-route know as the Amber road, from the Baltic Sea to the
Adriatic Sea, was well known by early Grecian civilization and
before. Aegean sea traders were in contact with Northern European's
from the earliest times. The
Roman Legions made themselves known in parts of Northern Europe.
Roman's established themselves as overlords to the native
populations, with limited success. As
Influencers they were very successful. Their military tactics were
used against them, and forced trade created an awareness on the
native people of the wider world. There were at times
when the Romans employed native militia into their legions, not
against the native people, but in other regional Roman conflicts,
and these soldiers upon returning, brought with them the knowledge
and skills of foreign lands. After the fall of the
Roman Empire When the Northern Europeans came in conflict with each
other no doubt those earlier Roman tactics were used against each
other. The
Scandinavian, Anglo Saxon, Germanic, Franks, and Celtic became
Northern Europe's main cultures. Eventually coming to dominate all of
the regions, and creating the countries of England, Irish, Scotland,
France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, and Scandinavia. The
Traders / Invaders of Northern Europe and the Traders / Invaders of
the Mediterranean were of completely different cultures, but were in
continuous contact with each other from ancient times. Goods
and ideas were exchanged on and off over time. Both grew independent
of each other but were also influenced by each other at the same
time.
The
most influential trade item of all was
Christianity, freely
given through the gospel from the savior of mankind and light of the
world, Jesus Christ. Cornelius a Roman
Centurion was the first Gentile
to be baptized into the Christian faith,
as related in the New Testament, book, The Acts
of the Apostles,(KJV), chapter 10, verses (1) "There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band." (2) " A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway." (3) " He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius." (4) " And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it Lord? And he said unto him, thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God." (44) " While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word." (47) " Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?". (48) "and he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." The baptism of Cornelius is one of the first important events in the spread of early Christianity into western civilizations.
The conversion of Paul to Christianity was by far the most influential voice in spreading the Gospel of Christ to the Gentiles, The New Testament book,(KJV), The Acts of the Apostles, chapter 9, verse 15 " But the lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and Kings, and the children of Israel:", and in chapter 13, verse 47 " For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth."
The conversion of Paul to Christianity was by far the most influential voice in spreading the Gospel of Christ to the Gentiles, The New Testament book,(KJV), The Acts of the Apostles, chapter 9, verse 15 " But the lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and Kings, and the children of Israel:", and in chapter 13, verse 47 " For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth."
Another
important point in the progress of Christianity among the Gentiles
was recorded when the disciples of Jesus Christ were first called
Christians. It was in the New Testament book of The Acts of the
Apostles,(KJV), chapter 11, verse 26 “ and when he had found him, he
brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they
assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the
disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
The first reference of sailing in the Mediterranean sea, in the New Testament, is in The Acts of the Apostles, (KJV), chapter 13 verse 4. " So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus." Sailing, to spread the gospel, is mentioned over twenty more times, in the book of The Acts of the Apostles.
Sailing craft have been a part of the continuing evolution of civilizations throughout history. sailing vessels have been used to provide for the basic needs, as a means to obtain food and materials. The expansion of trade demonstrated the usefulness and necessity of watercraft to facilitate the delivery of the increasingly larger amounts of cargo being exported and exported from abroad. The Transportation of goods over the sea, led to the transportation of people also, which in time of conflict naval fleets were developed for use in battle. Sailing technology has been used in a variety of ways by the different cultures that had come to depended upon it. As the use of sailing spread from one region and civilization to another it created a new and useful vehicle for the activities of those who had the ability to access the sailboat. Whatever activity it was used for positive or negative, it provided a means of spreading Christianity from the Middle East, throughout the Aegean and Mediterranean worlds,and on into the North Atlantic and Baltic. Eventually with advancements in sailing achieving the ability to cross oceans, the gospel of Christianity crossed the oceans also. the Age of Sail as a means of transportation of goods and people has been minimized to a small fraction of what it became in the past, but its technology is still present and useful in many places. There can never be any doubt about what sailing has accomplished over time, it has been the means to create and expand civilizations, and giving the ability to individuals to broaden their vistas both physically and spiritually.
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