The Vikings originated from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark where the land was not fertile, causing them to become invaders who raided places like Lambay Island in 795 AD and monasteries in France and Britain for gold and religious artifacts using longships made of wood that could be rowed or sailed. They eventually settled in many places they invaded, like Ireland where they built towns, and their reign as invaders ended after their defeat at the 1014 Battle of Clontarf against the Irish.