Fierce in Battle, Fierce in Trading. Viking Sea States of Merchants – Part II
By the 9th century, the Scandinavian sea nomads that had tormented the British coastline, had conquered parts of the land and assimilated cultures. They established the Danelaw, territories where soon their equally honed skills as traders would lead to economic growth and riches. Yet setting up house, was not in every Dane’s blood, and the Vikings set their sights on the spoils of more distant lands.
Arm rings or armlets made by twisting thick and thin rods of gold or silver were common during the Viking period, when wealth was literally worn on one's sleeves. Arm rings, the portable savings accounts of the Vikings, would be collected, exchanged, or hacked up to provide weighed amounts of gold to purchase goods. 9th century. Public Domain
