And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
As a sailor I can appreciate the efficient design of the Norse longboats. They went 'A viking' and explored most of the known world. A very efficient main sail. good for down wind and off the beam, otherwise the crew, warriors manned the oars and took the boat to the wind. We are now discovering that the Norsemen went down the Volga river in Russia all the way to the Black Sea and then over to Venice, Italy to trade furs, and other commodities to the merchants of the center of trading power at that time. They also took Irish slaves back to their villages in Norway. The coasts of Great Britain from Scotland to Ireland were regularly pillaged by the Norse. Abby's were a particular prize. Full of gold, silver and graineries full of food to haul away to feed their families back home. The longboats were primarily cargo ships. No point in plundering a place if you can't haul the booty home. They were pagan, kick ass men. No wonder their legend has come down to us over the centuries.
As a sailor I can appreciate the efficient design of the Norse longboats. They went 'A viking' and explored most of the known world. A very efficient main sail. good for down wind and off the beam, otherwise the crew, warriors manned the oars and took the boat to the wind.
ReplyDeleteWe are now discovering that the Norsemen went down the Volga river in Russia all the way to the Black Sea and then over to Venice, Italy to trade furs, and other commodities to the merchants of the center of trading power at that time.
They also took Irish slaves back to their villages in Norway. The coasts of Great Britain from Scotland to Ireland were regularly pillaged by the Norse.
Abby's were a particular prize. Full of gold, silver and graineries full of food to haul away to feed their families back home. The longboats were primarily cargo ships. No point in plundering a place if you can't haul the booty home.
They were pagan, kick ass men.
No wonder their legend has come down to us over the centuries.
They also took Irish slaves
DeleteQ: Why are Scandinavian women so good looking?
A: The vikings only stole good-looking women.
Thanks for the bit of history Granny, I appreciate it.
DeleteI'm ready to go.
ReplyDeleteLet's see: Ax, helm, chain mail, blood pressure medication....yep, I'm ready to go too!
Delete"Load the Vikings?" I've always heard that the Vikings were usually loaded all the time! (And they'd unload on you if you got in their way.)
ReplyDelete