What is the Difference Between Vikings and Danes

The main difference between Vikings and Danes is that Vikings is a collective term that includes Danes, Norsemen, and Swedes.

Generally, the name Viking refers to all seafaring people from Scandinavia, which include the regions of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Danes are people from Denmark, Norsemen are people from Norway, while Swedes are people from Sweden.

Key Areas Covered

1. Who are Vikings 
     – Definition, Features
2. Who are Danes
     – Definition, Features 
3. Similarities Between Vikings and Danes
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Vikings and Danes
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Vikings, Danes, Raids, Scandinavia

Who are Vikings

Vikings is the name we use to refer to seafaring people from Scandinavia (the region that includes  Denmark, Norway, and Sweden). The period in which Vikings raided and settled in countries is popularly known as the Viking Age. And, this age primarily lasted from the late 8^th to late 11^th century. Also, historians believe that Viking Age began with the raiding of the abbey on Lindisfarne in England on the 8th of  June, 793. It is because of these early raids that Vikings earned a notorious reputation as raiders and pirates. However, pirates were not just pirates or raiders were also explorers, voyaging as far as the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Middle East, and even North America. They also established trade routes in these areas. Furthermore, most believe this period ended with the Battle of Stamford Bridge on the 25th of September, 1066.

Vikings spoke the Old Norse language and made inscriptions in runes. Initially, they believed in the Norse religion, but later they turned into Christians. Most Vikings were also fishermen, farmers, craftsmen, and traders in their homelands. However, some of the things we know about Vikings are not actually facts. Among them, two common myths about Vikings are that they wore horned helmets and that they were filthy and unkempt.  

Who are Danes

We use the name Danes to refer to a North Germanic tribe that inhabited southern Scandinavia. Today, this region comprises Denmark proper and the Scanian provinces of southern Sweden. But, today, the word Danes simply refer to people from Denmark.

When considering history, Danes were the founders of the Kingdom of Denmark. They spoke Proto-Norse. But, by the beginning of the Viking Age, this language gradually evolved into the Old Norse language. Also, like other Vikings, they were believers in the Norse religion.

Most of the things we know about Vikings come from the analyses of Danes – knowledge about Viking culture, politics, etc. This is because chroniclers like Dudo, Saxo Grammaticus, Rimbert, and Notker focused extensively on the Danish people. Therefore, the information available on Viking Age is more about Danes than any other group. It’s also important to note that Danes were more involved with politics in Europe than Norwegians and Swedes.

Similarities Between Vikings and Danes

• Both Vikings and Danes originate from Scandinavia.
• At one point in history, they were believers in the Norse religion. But later, they became Christians.
• They spoke the Norse language.
• They included people with different skillsets: fishermen, farmers, craftsmen, traders, etc.
• These tribes settled in many regions in Europe, including Britain, Ireland, France, and Greenland.

Difference Between Vikings and Danes

Definition

Vikings are Scandinavian seafaring pirates and traders who raided and settled in many parts of north-western Europe, while Danes are a North Germanic ethnic group and nationality native to Denmark.

Usage of the Name

We use the name Viking to refer to all Scandinavian seafarers, including Danes, Norsemen, and Swedes. However, we use the name Danes to refer to people from Denmark.  

Nature

Danes were more involved with politics in Europe than other Vikings, i.e., Norwegians and Swedes.

Conclusion

Generally, the name Viking refers to all seafaring people from Scandinavia, which include the regions of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. In other words, Vikings is a collective term that includes Danes, Norsemen, and Swedes. Thus, this is the main difference between Vikings and Danes.

Reference:

1. “Vikings History: An Overview of the Culture and History of the Viking Age.” History on the Net.
2. “Viking.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Vikings-Voyages” By en:User:Bogdangiusca – Earth map by NASA; Data based on w:File:Viking Age.png (now: File:Vikingen tijd.png) (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Nicholas Roerich, Guests from Overseas (corrected colour)” By Nicholas Roerich – (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia