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Raids along coastal areas throughout northern Europe continued over the course of the next few centuries, ending around the time of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. This brutal raid set the tone for how Vikings would be portrayed throughout history. The library was destroyed, church treasures were stolen, and many monks were killed or taken prisoner. Historians trace the beginning of the Viking age to a raid in 793 on the monks of Lindisfarne, a tiny island off the northeast coast of England. As such, the Vikings weren't defined so much by who they were but by what they did. Moreover, these overseas expeditions weren't limited to raids but also included searching for trading partners. The word "Viking" is often associated with the Scandinavian word vikingr, which means " pirate." However, rather than a noun, Scandinavian people actually used "viking" as a verb to refer to the act of exploring overseas ("to go viking"). In fact, the Vikings, sometimes called Norsemen, weren't even a single nation and didn't consist of a single race or people group. Given how Vikings are often portrayed in books and movies, it probably won't surprise you to learn that the Vikings were quite a bit different in real life. But are these common portrayals of Vikings accurate? And do these people still exist today? They're also popular in fantasy novels that mine the depths of Viking lore and mythology. You've probably seen those types of Vikings on cartoons and television shows. With huge horns on their hats, they sailed to unsuspecting coastal villages to pillage and plunder. You know the ones: a band of big, burly, blond, bloodthirsty bullies on a boat. Instead, we're thinking of those other Vikings you've probably learned about at one time or another.
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But we're not talking about the purple- clad Minnesota Vikings. When you think of Vikings, what comes to mind? Fans of the National Football League might immediately think of the professional football team from Minnesota.
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