The Viking Age (late 8th to 11th centuries) was driven by a combination of factors.

Demographic pressure in Scandinavia, with a growing population and a shortage of good farmland, pushed people to seek new lands.

The Scandinavian tradition of partible inheritance meant that landholdings became smaller with each generation.

Political instability and the desire of chieftains to gain wealth and prestige fueled raiding expeditions.

The development of the Viking longship, a technologically superior vessel, made long-distance voyages and raids possible.

The Vikings were drawn by the wealth of their neighbors, particularly the poorly defended monasteries of Britain and Francia.

Established trade routes provided the Vikings with knowledge of the wealth and weaknesses of other regions.

A warrior culture that valued honor, glory, and wealth gained through combat motivated many young men.

The Medieval Warm Period may have made sea conditions in the North Atlantic more favorable for long voyages.

The expansion included raiding, trading, exploration, and large-scale settlement.