Ancient ShipsIn most ancient civilizations, they depended heavily on the use of boats and ships. Boats started off as being propelled by using logs, paddles, and some people even used their hands as a method to propel boats. Early boats weren't that effective on keeping sailors, passengers, and their goods dry, so people put cow skin on the outside of the boat to seal up any holes in the wood. However, as the demand for trade increased, boats transformed into massive ships that could hold many items and people. Since ships were so massive, people started to realize that their methods of propelling boats wouldn't work on huge ships. Instead, they invented the sail; a piece of fabric or some other flexible, thin material that would use the wind to propel the ships. As ships grew larger, the ability to tip over because a huge concern. Because of this, people decided to make flotation devices out of wood - today's materials for flotation devices weren't accessible at the time - and this invention saved tons of people from falling off the ship during a storm.
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Norsemen and Vikings |
The Vikings repeatedly raided France in the early 10th century. The French king offered land to try and stop these raids, and thus the settler group called Norsemen was formed. They settled in north France in an area which is now known as Normandy. The Normans could now explore and expand their interests now that they had a home base. In 1060, Norman knights carried out an invasion on Arab controlled Sicily. One of the more famous Norman conquests was six years after the Sicily invasion, and the Norman Duke William gained control of England from his rival, Harold Godwinson. Being the astute politician that he was, Duke William ordered the conquest to be commemorated in the most unique form possible. There was a massive dispute over the crown, and this arose from medieval laws and customs. Harold had pledged allegiance and support for William's claim to the English throne, promised by his cousin, King Edward. When Edward died, however, Harold was crowned king. This, rightfully so, made William profusely enraged and thus prepared for war. William allegedly put together a fleet of around 700 ships. The ships he used were very similar to the Viking ships used in the previous two centuries [from that time]. The Normans had developed the art of land warfare. They also learned how to use cavalry instead of infantry. This was their main attacking force. Because they used cavalry a lot, around half of their ships were just horse transports, and each boat carried around six to ten animals.
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This video is showing the history of warships.