Most Vikings were farmers. Those who lived near the sea were fishermen too. In Scandinavia the winters are cold and dark and the land is poor. The people depended on cattle and sheep.

When a farmer died his eldest son inherited the farm. Younger brothers got a share of the rest of their fathers wealth, but if they wanted to farm they had to find land.They could buy it or clear forest to get it. Eventually there was no more land suitable for farming. Then the Vikings had to sail and raid over seas.

Every family grew oats or rye to give them flour for bread.


Women milked the cows and goats and made butter and cheese


Children helped to look after the poultry and the pigs