History Browser

This house was reconstructed in the style of those built by the Vikings at l’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland around the year 1000. (Parks Canada)

L’Anse aux Meadows was the site of a Viking settlement at around the year 1,000. The area is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Parks Canada)

This Norman (or Viking) axe man holds a Danish style battle axe. Vikings were also called ‘Norman’ — men of the north — by the Dark Ages French. A large group of Vikings occupied and settled on the north-western coast of France in what became Normandy. This is the region from which many of the French settlers to New France came in the 17th century. It is also where the Canadian Army landed on D-Day on 6 June 1944. Print after Viollet-Leduc from the Bayeux tapestry.

The sleek design of these ships made them the fastest, most seaworthy craft of their time. (Library of the Canadian Department of National Defence)

This view was conceived during the 1930s by historical artist Fergus Kyle (1876-1941). Although we now know that Viking helmets did not have horns, as shown here and in countless other images in popular art, most of the other details shown give a relatively realistic impression of what such a settlement might look like. The Vikings also could build timber houses as well as ones made of earth.

Norman (or Viking) helmets typically had a nose guard such as the one seen here. Contrary to popular belief, Viking helmets had no horns. Print after Viollet-Leduc.

This Norman (or Viking) warrior wears the typical ‘Norman’ type helmet with its nose guard and a coat of mail. Vestiges of chain mail have been found in the Canadian Arctic. Print after Viollet-Leduc from the Bayeux tapestry.

Cloak pins similar to this bronze artifact (excavated from a settlement discovered at l'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland) were very popular among the Vikings. (Parks Canada)

These objects of Viking origin were found during excavations on Ellesmere and Baffin islands. Fragments of a coat of mail are shown on the right, and iron rivets on the left. Also to be seen are part of a bowl (top) and the arm of a scale with bronze hinges (centre). (Canadian Museum of Civilization, Gatineau)