Viking Long Ship

     I present to Lego fans of all ages, a Viking Long Ship with it's very own raiding party! In order to make this a playset, I built some castle walls with crossbowmen and knights defending some chests of treasure. The ship is made from hundreds of Lego pieces, not specialized pieces. The beauty of the Viking Long Ship can really be seen this way. The raiding party consists of men as well as women, who historically were called Shield Maidens. Truly a set for both genders, all ages and many overlapping interests. The 'North Men' are coming!'

     No other people have affected Western European culture more than the Vikings. In a very short period, the Vikings left their imprint on almost all areas of European society. To this day, our language, customs and even form of government, can be traced back to the 'North Men.' However, the initial contact between Vikings and Europeans was not very noble or poetic. Vikings were barbarians that raided and looted the coastlines of Europe and struck fear in the hearts of villagers and city dwellers alike! Their most powerful weapon, was the long ship.

       I have decided to replicate the Oseberg ship at the Viking Ship Museum, in Bygdoy, Norway. The Oseberg Ship is a Viking long ship that dates back to the year 834 A.D. It was used as part of a traditional Viking burial ceremony in Norway. The rich history behind this find is one of the reasons why I chose it. The artifacts and the burial itself give us a glimpse into a very enigmatic culture that is shrouded in tales and mystery. I did add a little more character to the ship, by giving it runes and a Dragon head and tail. But the hull design is as close to the Oseberg Ship as I could make it.

       The second reason I chose to build the Viking ship was to build it's hull using regular Lego pieces, rather than making it out of 6 or 8 specialized parts. The amazing design of the ship's hull can really be appreciated when built with many small pieces. It was because of that hull design, that the Vikings were able to leave their mark on almost every aspect of Western Civilization, in a span of about 150 years! I believe this would be an excellent collector set for ship enthusiasts, Viking and history buffs or most Lego devotees. The entire ship is made of about 700 pieces.

       i wanted to add a little background information about the Oseberg ship discovery. The burial is thought to have been for a Queen and her most trusted servant, or at least two women of very high social status. This shows the power women held  and could achieve in Viking society. The artifacts found include coins from Europe, N. Africa and the Middle East: as well as a small gold Buddha from Asia. These items show the influence and vast expanse of Viking trade routes throughout the world by the early 9th century.

      The ship itself is intriguing because it is not only seaworthy, but was used for decades, prior to being used in the funeral. The Oseberg Ship could hold up to 40-50 Viking warriors and was more than likely used to launch raids in either England or Continental Europe for a few decades before it was utilized for the funeral. The ship's design allowed it to be flexible in the open seas and nimble enough to traverse shallow rivers. This allowed the Vikings to reach all of Europe, Russia and the Middle East via river systems: as well as reach Iceland, Greenland and even N. America through the perilous N. Atlantic Ocean. 

       I hope you enjoyed the information above and I hope you will show your support for this project. Please press the FB and Twitter tab below the support tab, so we can share this project with as many people as possible. It is my hope, and many others', that we bring the Vikings to Lego World! Thank you very much for your consideration!