In Year 4 we have been learning about the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings. Vikings sailed in Long-ships from Scandinavia. Some could hold up to 80 people. The ships were made from wood and the sails from animal fat and fabrics - the ships had no seats. They decorated the fronts with sea serpents and other mystical creatures so that they could scare the  people that they were invading.  The boats had shallow hulls so that they could sail right up the beach and fight their enemies and steal from them. When a Viking died, sometimes they were buried wearing all of their best clothes, jewellery and brooches. They were buried in their ships and believed they would go to Vallhala, but only if they were glorious and fearless in battle.

If you would like to build a Viking Long-ship, follow these instructions:

You will need: scissors, coloured paper, pencil, colouring pens, a ruler and a piece of wood for the mast.

1. Cut out the hull template.
2. Fold the hull carefully.
3.  Rip or cut the coloured paper into small strips so that it looks like wood.
4. Glue the strips onto the Viking ship on both sides.
5. Selloptape both sides of the ship carefully and neatly.
6. With the paper, fold the edges neatly to make a seat.
7. Stick the seat onto both sides of the ship.
8. Make a hole in the seat to fit the mast into.
9. Attach the sail to the stick.
10. Cut out eight circles and colour them.
11. Stick four on one side and four on the other to make the Viking shields.