Vikings The name Viking is from “one who raids” in Old Norse. Raids were a common feature of Viking societies even in their homelands. The Vikings were equal to pirate at that time with certain reason. They were good at sailing. Wherever they arrive, they raided. Their homeland was the regions we now call Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The first Viking raid on England is recorded in 793. They began to settle in 865, fighting with the kings of Wessex. Their regions of control fluctuated greatly over the next century until England was ruled by Canute the Great who invaded in 1015. However, the ruling House which preceded Canute was restored in 1042 under Edward the Confessor and the Viking age in England is considered to have finished with the Norman Conquest in 1066. Famous Vikings number one was King Canute the Great. Along came the Vikings, with their action-man words,like drag, ransack, thrust and die, around 2000 words they gave English. Viking warriors were afraid to die in bed, fearing they’d go to a foggy underworld. It was better to die a hero in battle and to Valhalla (Viking heaven in Norse mythology). Viking’s funeral was special. At that time, most people chose burial in the ground. But Viking choose the fire. In funeral they threw all their needs for the dead one’s journey to the afterlife into a longboat, then set the long boat on fire.