The development of weapons by the Viking began around 400-750 CE during the Germanic iron age by the Nordic tribes. Fully developed weapons and weapon making processes occurred around 750-800 CE, just a few years before the first recorded Viking raid. Either it be from helping the Vikings win many battles, or helping the Vikings explore and expand their culture across Northern and Western Europe, weapons played a key role in the Viking civilization.

Vikings developed weapons to help defend off invaders and plunderers. Another reason the Vikings needed weapons was for social order.  According to Rice, with social classes, the poor may have only been able to use their wooden farm axe, while the rich may have been able to use an iron sword, shield, axe, and a bow and arrow. “A study of Viking age burials in Western Norway revealed that of the graves in which weapons were found, 61% of them contained one weapon, while only 15% contained three or more” (Hurtswic). The way weapons worked in the social world of the Vikings has created a difference between the Vikings and other civilizations in the time period. The Vikings also used weapons as a response to respect or honor. Any attempt to diminish another person's respect or honor was met with weapons, as were many other problems that occurred in this civilization (Hurtswic).

Weapons were made with many different materials. Swords contained gold, iron, and silver, axes and swords were made with antlers, iron, wood, and many more materials. Using metallurgy, many craftsmen were able to create many swords to supply the population. The Vikings used a process called metallurgy, which means they extracted the raw metals from rocks and modified the metals. This created durable weapons, some lasting hundreds of years. 

The development of weapons played a crucial part in Viking society, whether it be through the political view with duels or social classes,  or the physical view with raids and conquest. The Vikings created a sphere of influence throughout Scandinavia with their use of weapons.  Through the raids of the Christian monasteries,  the Anglo-Saxons, the Franks, the Irish, and the Slavs, the Vikings became very wealthy.  Weapons let them expand their culture through out Europe. This is greatly shown when looking at modern day culture in the UK, parts of France, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and parts of Canada.