One early Viking raid, or invasion, took place in 793 CE. It shocked everyone who heard about it. It took place on Lindisfarne, off the east coast of England. The island had a famous monastery (a place for monks or other religious people). Warriors looted (stole from) and destroyed it. They killed many of the monks.
Vikings raided more places after that. They stole anything they wanted. They took precious gems, fine fabrics, and even people – young men and women to sell into slavery.
Viking raids at first took place along the North Sea and the English Channel. But soon their search for loot took them inland. They attacked places along rivers all over Europe. These included the Rhine, Seine, Loire, and Rhône Rivers. Swedish Vikings sailed across the Baltic Sea to Russia. They followed the Dnieper and Volga Rivers. They settled in parts of what are now Russia and Ukraine. Some traveled to the Black and Caspian Seas. From there, they went to Constantinople and Baghdad.
The Vikings sailed all over looking for treasure. As they searched, they frightened people and destroyed whole towns.
