By: Aisling Bronach of House Shadow Drake

Viking cities were often the site of trade and commerce. Many of the cities were only inhabited on a seasonal basis. During the summer, these cities allowed for the exchange of goods but afterwards became deserted.

Vikings, for the most part, lived at fairly large distances from their neighboring households. Although areas were controlled by local earls, the size and proportion of these areas could be quite extensive at times.

Even at such trading centers as Birka in the North, they are not long lasting. The few cities which emerge and remain active throughout the entire year are later abandoned as soon as the trade flow diminishes. Other cities that are open during the summer months may even change locations slightly according to where they are erected. These seasonal market-cities were often just like very large flea markets or boot sales.

The largest of the Viking cities was populated by a measly 3,000 or so people. This is not very large at all, especially when compared to such cities as Dublin and London.

The Vikings loved to trade. In fact, it was a matter of survival to the Viking lifestyle. The wares that were made by a Viking household during the Winter months were taken to these distribution centers for barter or trade.

In Gotland, a huge Viking coin horde was found. The Vikings preferred Byzantium coinage above all others. They did not care about the worth of coins, but rather were more concerned with their weight and quality. Largest, this was due to an understanding of the worth of gold in the manufacture of objects as well as an understanding of the value of metal rather than that of an assigned fictitious monetary value by foreign governments.

Although the Viking cities were not huge, they did serve an important purpose in regard to trade. City life was dependant on the amount of trade, and would quickly die when trade became poor. These cities offered a regional method of obtaining goods and other items which were necessary to the Viking life and survival while also offering an opportunity to generate income.