Chapter 1: A Viking Raiding Party set out for Ireland

(Written by 5th Class Busses School, Gentofte, near Copenhagen, Denmark

It was a cold and wet morning in the middle of April. The Viking chief in Roskilde, Egild Halfredson got an idea.

He called all his men together and said: "Let us make a raid and sail to England or Ireland. We need more slaves to help us in the houses and on the field. We also can take some of their gold and silver. This summer I have planned to marry a young woman, and I will surprise her with fine gifts." All the men agreed. They liked making raids to places far away.

During the next weeks they packed their Viking ships. They planned to take three ships with 40 men in each ship. They needed to take plenty of food and beer with them on the trip. They would mostly take bread, fish, cold porridge, nuts and a lot of salted meat with them. Their favourite drink was beer and water. They knew that it was very cold to cross the ocean. Therefore they needed to bring warm clothes.

They also needed to bring all their weapons: swords and shields, spears, arrows and bows, and maybe some stones to throw after the enemies. They prepared their weapons. The swords were sharpened and the arrows and bows were made ready.

End the end of April they were ready to leave the Danish Viking town Roskilde.