‘Sword-point and blade will reconcile us first’: The Vikings in the English Context
The Vikings were a seafaring people that settled many parts of the globe and explored many more during the early Middle Ages. The term ‘Viking’ is, perhaps, inaccurate as it describes an action rather than the name of a people itself.
A Viking burial at Balnakeil, Sutherland
Heavy storms in May 1991 caused extensive sand blows in the dunes of Balnakeil Bay, Sutherland. these partially uncovered the remains of a human skeleton
Dragon Harald Fairhair: The construction of a Viking Dragon Ship
A ten-minute video on the construction of a Viking dragon ship, which began in 2010 and is the largest Viking ship ever built in modern times.
Vikings raided monasteries to feed demand for eunuchs in the east, historian finds
In Byzantium and the Abbasid Caliphate there was great demand for eunuchs – a new study suggests this demand was being met by the Vikings raiding monasteries in northwestern Europe.
Indigenous and imported Viking Age weapons in Norway – a problem with European implications
The numerous Viking Age swords and spearheads found in Norway are a mixture of indigenous and imported items, but sound criteria for distinguishing between the two origins are lacking.
Religious and Cultural Boundaries between Vikings and Irish: The Evidence of Conversion
If we compare sources from England, the horror with which viking attacks were viewed is immediately apparent. The heathenism of vikings is stressed as one of their dire attributes in Alcuin’s famous response to news of the attack on Lindisfarne in 793. Literary accounts of vikings also became more lengthy and imaginative over time.
Have archaeologists found a lost Viking trading centre in Norway?
It was a routine archaeological dig, necessitated by the expansion of Norway’s main north-south highway, the E6, just north of Trondheim, the country’s third largest city. But the finds surprised archaeologists from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology’s University Museum, who now believe they have solved a centuries-old puzzle posed in Norse sagas.
What did the Vikings ever do for us?
Well they were a lot more generous in their beach ownership laws, says Derek McGlashan
Rus’, Varangians and Birka Warriors
Viking Age remains displaying a number of distinct similarities stand in strategic locations alongthe Eastern trade routes from Birka to Kiev.
Give us this day our daily bread: A study of Late Viking Age and Medieval Quernstones in South Scandinavia
Porridge and bread were by far the two most important elements in the Viking Age and medieval diet.
How Christian Were Viking Christians?
What did the Vikings know of Christianity, how did they appreciate Christian teaching per se and in comparison with their native beliefs, in what way was Christianity enrooted in the minds of pagan Scandinavians?
Searching for the Vikings on the Isle of Man
The Vikings were not just the wanton marauders of popular portrayal, says a Longwood University medieval scholar who recently conducted archaeological research on the Isle of Man.
Feasting with Early Medieval Chiefs: Locating Political Action through Environmental Archaeology
This excellent paper was the first given in the session on Early Medieval Europe. It looked at various archaeological excavations in Iceland and Denmark and the political role feasting played in pre-Christian Viking societies.
Religion, Raids and Ragnar(ök): Series One of ‘Vikings’
Other than how gorgeous it looks–the rugged landscape of Ireland doubling convincingly for early medieval Scandinavia–the most initially striking facet of Vikings is how deliciously weird it is.
Book Review: Shadow on the Crown
A review of Patricia Bracewell’s book: Shadow on the Crown.
Vikings – Review of Episode 9: All Change
The season finale of Vikings – an angry wife, a decimated village, a pregnant lover and treacherous brother.
Maps Illustrating the Viking Invasions of England
The accompanying maps, which were prepared for lecture-purposes, may perhaps be useful to others who want to illustrate a popular account of the Viking invasions of this country
Vikings – Review of Episode 8: Sacrifice
This week’s episode of Vikings takes a break from the usual raiding and pillaging with the gang headed out to get some spiritual fulfillment. Fortunately, this also involves killing.
Rune Stones and Magnate Farms: The Viking Age in Vadsbo Hundred
What is the relationship between the Viking Age magnate farms and local place names? What of the numerous Rune stones, burial mounds, surface finds, and ancient monuments? Are they also tied to subsequent names? Can they help us place farms and other sites?
Vikings – Review of Episode 7: A King’s Ransom
This week on the Vikings, we go back and forth between England and Scandinavia as Ragnar prepares to raid in Northumbria again and Lagertha rules the village in his absence.
Vikings – Review of Episode 6: Burial of the Dead
This week on Vikings, we focus on two major events: Ragnar’s fight to the death with Earl Haraldson and a Viking funeral.
Vikings – Review of Episode 5: Raid
‘Let the man who thinks that he is descended from the Gods learn that he is human after all’
Vikings – Review of Episode 4: Trial
The war has begun. Aethelstan is right – Ragnar is preparing for the worst and Rollo’s refusal to hand his brother over is going to cost them dearly.
Egil Skallagrimsson and the Viking Ideal
How did the Vikings want to be perceived–by other members of their own culture, and by posterity?