The longships were a particular very successful and powerful type of Norse (Viking) warship employed in late antiquity and through the middle ages that shaped the epitome of their naval power as they rose as a major force in European affairs between the 9th and 11th century AD.
Their existence is attested and documented as early as the fourth century BC while their design evolved over the centuries through the emergence of clinker-built (with the edges of hull planks overlapping) boats, such as the Nydam oak boat, about the sixth century AD reaching its peak during the height of the Viking power.
Made out of wood and employing cloth sails, these ships were graceful in movement, long and narrow as well as shallow-drafted (their bottom lay not far below the waterline and was usually flat) that allowed them to reach speeds as good as 15 knots per hour and sail in very shallow waters and rivers.
Furthermore, they were double-ended with symmetrical bow and stern that enabled them to reverse direction instantly without turning round while they were light enough to be carried over land and they could be even used bottom-up as shelter in camps.
They featured a long line of rowers covering almost the entire length of the boat where the later versions displayed a rectangular sail on a single mast that added to their speed, dubbed as ‘dragon ships’ since many featured a dragon-shaped bow in front.
On top of that, they carried little cargo and were mainly loaded with warriors poised to attack at any given moment or place as they were also able to arbitrarily land very much everywhere, affording the element of surprise.
Common types of longships were the Skeid (Skeið, meaning ‘slider), larger and apparently swift warships that counted 30 or more rowing benches and could exceed 30m in length, the Drakkar (meaning ‘dragon’), raiding ships of similar dimensions that featured dragon- or snake-shaped bows, and the smaller Snekkja, so light that it didn’t need a port to moor and could be carried over land.
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