How was life at sea on longboats?
History · Middle School · Thu Feb 04 2021
Answered on
Answer: Life at sea on longboats, often called Viking longships, was challenging and demanding due to the nature of open sea travel during the Viking Age (roughly 793–1066 AD). Here are some insights into what life might have been like:
1. **Close Quarters**: Longboats were often crowded as they had to carry not only the crew but also sometimes warriors, traders, supplies, and even livestock.
2. **Basic Living Conditions**: Amenities were scarce. There would have been no cabins or privacy, and the crew would sleep on the open deck, exposed to the elements.
3. **Exposure to Weather**: Sailors were at the mercy of the weather. They faced cold, wind, rain, and rough seas. Protective clothing made of wool, animal skin, and leather was vital.
4. **Navigation**: They relied on landmarks, stars, the sun, and rudimentary navigation skills for setting their course, which could be tricky and required a lot of experience and knowledge.
5. **Diet**: The diet on board was primarily preserved foods like salted meat or fish, hard cheese, and flatbread. Freshwater storage was limited, so alcoholic beverages like beer might have been more common, as it lasted longer.
6. **Hygiene**: With limited fresh water and no bathing facilities, hygiene was very basic. The sea itself would sometimes be the only bath available.
7. **Entertainment**: To combat the boredom on long voyages, crew members would tell stories, sing, play games, and engage in various crafts like carving.
8. **Physical Work**: Managing a longboat required a lot of physical work, including rowing for hours, working the sails, and handling ropes, which contributed to physical fitness but also fatigue.
9. **Risks and Dangers**: Sea voyages were risky. Threats included storms, shipwrecks, navigation errors, and encounters with pirates or enemy ships.
Overall, while there were camaraderie and adventure, life at sea on longboats was largely about endurance and dealing with the hardships of a maritime lifestyle during the early medieval period.