IN THE DARK AGES and early medieval times, the longships of Scandinavia were one of the most
feared sights for people of northern Europe. The Vikings launched raids from Scandinavia every summer in longships equipped with a single steering oar on the right, or “steerboard,” side (hence “starboard”). A longship had one row of oars on each side and a single sail. The hull had clinker
(overlapping) planks. Prowheads adorned fighting ships during campaigns of war. The sailing longship was also used for local coastal travel. The karv below was probably built as transport for an
important family, while the smaller faering (top right) was a rowing boat only. The fleet of William of Normandy that invaded England in 1066 owed much to the Viking boatbuilding tradition, and has been depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry (above). Seals used by port towns and royal courts through the ages provide an excellent record of contemporary ship design. The seal opposite shows how ships changed from the Viking period to the end of the Middle Ages. The introduction of the fighting platform—the castle— and the addition of extra masts and sails changed the character of the medieval ship. Note also that the steering oar has been replaced by a centered rudder.
