Who were the Danes before the 9th century?

The Danes were a North Germanic tribe inhabiting southern Scandinavia, including the area now comprising Denmark proper, and the Scanian provinces of modern-day southern Sweden, during the Nordic Iron Age and the Viking Age. They founded what became the Kingdom of Denmark.

What is Dannevirke?

Dannevirke means, literally, ‘Danes’ Work’, and the original Dannevirke was a huge defensive entrenchment built across the isthmus of Denmark in the ninth century.

Where did Danes migrate from?

The first Danes were hunters and fisherman who probably entered the country migrating from Southern and Eastern Europe by the end of the last Ice Age around 10,000 BC. By 3000 BC, farms had begun to appear on the flat, fertile land we now call Denmark.

Were Danes and Vikings the same?

Dane – A person from Denmark. However, during the Viking Age the word ‘Dane’ became synonymous with Vikings that raided and invaded England. These Vikings consisted out of a coalition of Norse warriors originating not only from Denmark, but also Norway and Sweden.

Did the Vikings settle in Dannevirke?

The European settlement of Dannevirke began on October 15, 1872 with the arrival of 21 families, 14 Danish and seven Norwegian and Swedish families, who came to New Zealand as part of the Vogel scheme. These pioneer settlers were allocated lots and sent to work, clearing part of the 70 Mile Bush.

Why is Dannevirke a Viking?

Dannevirke prides itself on its Scandinavian heritage, and images such as this Viking warrior are found throughout the town. This sign plays on warlike Viking stereotypes which have little connection with the 19th-century immigrants who came to clear the bush and establish farms.

Were Danes considered Vikings?

Did Vikings go to New Zealand?

Much of Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland is coastline, so the first Scandinavian visitors were often great sailors. When they reached New Zealand, some left their whaling and trading ships to search for gold.

Why was the Dannevirke wall built?

Dannevirke was probably not just built as a defensive wall to protect Denmark, but might also have been built to protect its trade routes, for instance, the town Hedeby was very close to the wall, and therefore close to the southern border.

Is the Danevirke a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Danevirke (modern Danish spelling: Dannevirke; in Old Norse; Danavirki, in German; Danewerk, literally meaning earthwork of the Danes) is a system of Danish fortifications in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

What was the purpose of the forts on the Danes?

The purpose of these earthworks was to keep out invaders from the south, beginning with the Franks under Charlemagne, and later the assorted kingdoms and governments of the Germans. The last times the forts were used was in 1864, when the Danes and the Germans fought the Second War of Schleswig during the wars of German unification.

What did Charlemagne do to the Saxons?

Charlemagne conquered the tribes of Germany, into Austria, and made vassals of the kingdoms on today’s eastern German border. In all of these wars, those tribes who were not Christian were given a choice: convert, or die. Historians estimate the death toll of the Saxon tribes in the tens of thousands or more.