Description
By Odin’s beard! Viking ships filled with brave sea pirates left their Scandinavian homelands centuries before Columbus to venture as far south as Portugal and as far west as the new world. They’ve given us over a thousand words used in English today, as well as astounding tales and a yearning to conquer sea and land.
The Vikings had incredible shipbuilding skills. They built fast ships for raiding and war. These dragon ships could sail in shallow water so they could travel up rivers as well as across the sea. In a raid, a ship could be hauled up on a beach. The Vikings could jump out and start fighting, and then make a quick getaway if they were chased.
This is a card for a bold adventurer, a pirate, a seaman, for Father’s Day, for friendship, exploration, fans of Scandinavian folklore, and for fun.
Messages:
- Don’t waste your time looking back, you’re not going that way.
- Stay loyal to the people you hold dear.
- I don’t stop when I’m tired, I stop when I’m done.
- Keep calm and love a Viking.
- You can raid my heart any time.
- You’ve conquered my heart.
- I’ve taken a Viking to you.
- Always be yourself. Unless you can be a Pirate. Then always be Pirate.
- Happy Birthday to a Norse to be reckoned with.
- Happy Birthday to one of the original Berserkers.
- Happy Birthday to a true warrior.
- You can pillage me any time!
- Happy Birthday to my hero!
- Happy Father’s Day to my hero!
What’s so special about Viking ships?
Viking longships could carry as many as 100 Vikings to battle. Fleets of them could land on open beaches, penetrate deep into river systems, and be moved over land if need be. When not at war, the vessels were used to transport goods and make trade journeys.
The Viking ship was perhaps the greatest technical and artistic achievement of the European dark ages. These fast ships had the strength to survive ocean crossings while having a draft of as little as 50cm (20 inches), allowing navigation in very shallow water.
Quote:
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. ~Mark Twain
What were female Vikings called?
Female warriors were known as “Valkyries.”
See also: Pirate ship.
