Seafaring Danes invading England - a historical depiction of Viking longships in action.

The image provided is an informational text about the Vikings and their dragon-ships. Below, I will summarize the key points from the text and explain the solution to any implied task.

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Summary of the Text

1. Who Were the Vikings?
- The Vikings were invaders from Scandinavia (Sweden, Denmark, and Norway).
- The word "Viking" means "pirate raid" in Old Norse, their language.
- They are famous for invading other countries and pillaging.

2. Historical Context: Viking Raids in Britain
- In AD 793, the Vikings launched a raid on Lindisfarne monastery in England, killing many monks and stealing treasure.
- From AD 793 to 1066, Britain was subjected to numerous Viking raids.

3. Viking Ships: Dragon-Ships or Longships
- Vikings sailed in impressive ships called "dragon-ships" or "longships."
- These ships were expertly built, easy to steer, and could float high in water and land easily on beaches.
- They were designed for invasion and quick getaway if needed.
- Dragon-ships could sail up rivers and allowed Vikings to jump out and start fighting immediately upon landing.

4. Construction of Viking Ships
- Ships were built near where they would be launched.
- The keel (bottom of the ship) was made from tall oak trees, and planks of wood were used for the sides.
- Wooden pegs and iron rivets fastened everything together, with joints sealed with tar.
- Each ship had a distinctive carved wooden figurehead at the front.

5. Sailing and Navigation
- Ships were sailed using a large square woolen sail.
- When there wasn't enough wind, men rowed the ships with long wooden oars.
- Ships were guided by a huge steering oar at the stern.
- Each ship carried 40–60 men who spent 3–4 days on deck during voyages.
- Navigation was basic:
- They used the sun to navigate during the day.
- They invented a sun compass (like a sun dial) to help with navigation.
- At night, they used the stars to navigate.

6. Burial Customs
- When an important Viking died, it was tradition to bury him in his ship.
- The dead man was dressed in his best clothes and placed on the ship.
- His prized possessions, including his favorite horse or hunting dog (which was sacrificed), were laid alongside him.
- It was believed that the dead man would sail away to the afterlife.

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Implied Task

The text appears to be part of an educational worksheet. Based on the structure and content, the implied tasks could include:
1. Reading Comprehension: Understanding the information provided about the Vikings and their ships.
2. Answering Questions: Responding to questions related to the text (e.g., details about Viking raids, ship construction, navigation, etc.).
3. Critical Thinking: Analyzing the significance of Viking ships in their culture and invasions.

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Solution Explanation

If the task involves answering questions based on this text, here’s how you can approach it:

#### Example Questions and Answers:
1. What does the word "Viking" mean in Old Norse?
- Answer: The word "Viking" means "pirate raid" in Old Norse.

2. When did the Vikings first raid Lindisfarne monastery?
- Answer: The Vikings raided Lindisfarne monastery in AD 793.

3. Describe the design features of Viking dragon-ships.
- Answer: Viking dragon-ships were designed to be easy to steer, float high in water, and land easily on beaches. They could sail up rivers and had a distinctive carved wooden figurehead at the front. The ships were also designed for quick disembarkation during invasions.

4. How were Viking ships constructed?
- Answer: Viking ships were built using tall oak trees for the keel and planks of wood for the sides. Wooden pegs and iron rivets fastened everything together, and the joints were sealed with tar. Once constructed, the ships were rolled over logs and launched into the water.

5. What methods did Vikings use for navigation?
- Answer: Vikings used the sun to navigate during the day and invented a sun compass (similar to a sun dial) to assist with navigation. At night, they used the stars to navigate.

6. Explain the Viking burial custom for important individuals.
- Answer: When an important Viking died, he was buried in his ship. He was dressed in his best clothes and placed on the ship, along with his prized possessions, including his favorite horse or hunting dog (which was sacrificed). It was believed that the dead man would sail away to the afterlife.

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Conclusion

The text provides detailed information about the Vikings, their invasions, shipbuilding techniques, navigation methods, and burial customs. By understanding these points, you can effectively answer any related questions or engage in discussions about the Vikings and their impact on history.

Final Answer:
\boxed{\text{See explanations above for detailed answers to potential questions.}}