Vikings

The Scandinavians who raided the coasts of Western Europe, and often penetrated far inland with greater ambitions, were known as Vikings. The origin of the term is disputed. It may come from the Old Scandinavian vik, meaning inlet, or it may come from the Old Frisian/Old English wic, meaning camp, the setting up of temporary camps being a feature of such raids. The raiders came mainly from Denmark, Norway and Sweden, but also from islands they had settled, including Iceland and Orkney.