Sons of Vikings

Viking History

Where Did the Vikings Raid?

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The Vikings, famed for their daring raids and seafaring exploits, left a lasting impact on the history and culture of medieval Europe. But where exactly did these Norse warriors launch their raids, and what were the consequences of their actions? In this blog post, we’ll delve into the geographical scope...

Álfablót: ...the 'Viking' Halloween

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As many of you know, Halloween was originally known as 'All Hallows' Eve', which falls on October 31, marking the day before All Saints' Day on November 1. Many believe this was yet another holiday purposely created by the Christian church to replace a popular pagan holiday known as the...

Viking Weddings : Norse Traditions, Ideas, Rings, Vows, Dress / Attire

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Marriage was a sacred Norse tradition. For the Vikings, survival and life itself revolved around tightly-knit networks of family and friends. The right marriage was crucial to continuing these relationships into the future and passing on land, wealth, and honor. Some scholars contend that marriage dynamics played a role in...

Cats and Vikings

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When picturing the fierce Norse Vikings, the image of their fearsome longships sailing across treacherous seas often comes to mind. These intrepid seafarers were known for their adventurous spirit. But they were not alone on their voyages. Unbeknownst to many, the Vikings had loyal companions aboard their boats—cats. These feline...

What Happened to the Vikings?

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The Viking Age was a period of intense change in Europe. At the beginning of that time, Europe was a disorganized place of small, fractured kingdoms and weak rulers. Charlemagne was the exception here. But when he died, even his empire proved unstable and vulnerable.   When the Viking Age...

Oldest Runestone Ever Found in Norway

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Photo: Alexis Pantos/KHM, UiO. While excavating a cremation burial site in eastern Norway, archaeologists uncovered a red sandstone boulder bearing a unique inscription. Ongoing research at this Svingerud site revealed that the items this rune stone was buried with date as far back as the first century of the Common Era....

When did Vikings Invade England?

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The first recorded violent contact between Vikings and England was in 789 when a Saxon coastal patrol lost a man in a skirmish with otherwise unidentified Danes. Experts are unsure if this was indeed Viking aggression versus just a misunderstanding at a customs checkpoint. It is widely thought that these...

When was the Viking Age?

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793-1066 AD ...or 750-1050 AD? From the late-8th century to the late 11th century, Vikings shook Europe, upending the status quo, building lasting trade networks, and laying the groundwork for many of today's most prosperous nations. The actual dates of the Viking Age and when is started and when it ended...

What did Vikings eat?

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There was not enough arable land in the Vikings' homeland. So they had to diversify to survive, relying heavily on cattle and livestock and fishing their endless coastlines. According to the sagas and material evidence, the Vikings ate their most important meal in the morning and then had a leisurely...

What did Vikings look like?

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The stereotype of Vikings as tall, jacked people with blonde or red hair and piercing blue eyes was probably true for many of them, but not true for all of them. Science (and common sense) tells us that Vikings came in a wide range of hair colors, eye colors, builds,...

What language did Vikings speak?

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Vikings were united more by language, beliefs, and culture than by national origin. Vikings spoke a language now known as Old Norse, a northern Germanic language and the descendant of Proto-Germanic. Old Norse is a cousin of Old English, so some words, ideas (and letters) are similar to the English...

Where are Vikings from?

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Originally, Vikings came from Scandinavia. That is, the lands that are now Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. These countries came about because of the Vikings. Their changing borders eventually coalesced after bloody struggles between numerous Viking Sea Kings.However, Vikings were people with outward momentum, throughout the Viking Age, they established permanent...

What is a Viking?

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Vikings were maritime traders, raiders, mercenaries, and settlers originally from Scandinavia who took Europe by storm beginning in the Early Middle Ages. They formed a trade network, known as the Northern Arc, stretching from Greenland to the Middle East. They founded and settled in Iceland and Greenland, and there is...

Viking FAQ’s

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Below are links to short answers for the most commonly asked questions on Vikings. These are direct and simple answers on a complicated subject, so they only serve as a starting point for future exploration. We hope you find them helpful. Viking FAQ's: What is a Viking? Where are Vikings from?...

Viking Roots of the Royal Families

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Vikings shaped three centuries of intense cultural, economic, demographic, and political change. Though the world would transform exponentially in the thousand years since the Viking Age (circa A.D. 793-1066), many of the changes the Vikings brought are still with us. These contributions include countries like Norway, Sweden, Denmark, England, and...

Did Vikings Wear Kilts?

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“Did Vikings wear kilts?” is a common Google search. The short answer is ‘no.’ Kilts did not show up until roughly 500 years after the Viking age had ended and  Viking men wore pants (often with leg wraps below the knee). However, did the Vikings (and their descendants) possibly play...

In Defense of the Word ‘Viking’

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During the Early Middle Ages, a dramatic series of explorations, armed migrations, and new trade networks radiated from Scandinavia to forever change the world. The people responsible left marks in language, culture, geography, politics, and law that we still feel today. Broadly, we know them as Vikings, their word for...

Viking Berserker Warriors

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Viking Berserkers Berserkers were battle-frenzied warriors devoted to the god Odin, who fought in a state of complete fury and reckless abandon. Berserkers were said to channel the bear's spirit (or, in the case of the the úlfheðnar, the wolf's spirit) and take on the berserkergangr – the berserker’s rage –...

Amleth: The Real Viking Behind The Northman Movie

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  (and Shakespeare’s Best Play) The Northman is already being hyped by some as "the definitive Viking movie" and the "most accurate Viking film ever made." Director Robert Eggers is well known for his artistic creativity, attention to fine detail, and respect for his source material. His previous movies include...

Dwarves and Elves in Norse Mythology

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Norse mythology has made tremendous contributions to popular folklore and today’s fantasy. Elves and dwarves are but two of these elements that have become ubiquitous. Today, the word “elf” might make people think of Santa’s helpers or Elf on the Shelf or 'The Lord of the Rings’. However, the original elves and...

Vikings and Skiing

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The northern lands the Vikings called home were places of long, frigid winters, creeping glaciers, and howling blizzards. Icebergs and gale-force winds made the maritime routes too dangerous even for the dragon ships in the dark months of the year. In Scandinavia’s dense forests, snowdrifts could swallow a traveler. If...

When England was Part of a Viking Empire

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The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok refers to London as “the finest city in Scandinavia."  This seems like quite a mistake, considering London is the capital of England and sits on the east coast of Britain.  However for the skalds who composed the old saga, London was indeed in Scandinavia, for...

Historic Arabic Accounts Describing Vikings

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“I have never seen bodies more perfect than theirs. They were like palm trees. They were fair and ruddy. They wear neither coats nor caftans but a garment that hangs on one side and leaves one hand free. Each of them carries an axe, a sword, and a knife and...

Viking Diet: Why you should eat like the Vikings did!

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“I have never seen bodies more perfect than theirs."-Ahmed Ibn Fadlan (Arabian diplomat describing Vikings that he traded with) This article investigates common day to day Viking foods, how and when they liked to eat them, and how Viking nutrition contributed to their success. Nutrition Played a Part in the...

History of Viking Arm Rings / Oath Rings

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Vikings were fascinated by ring shaped jewelry. Men and women wore them on their fingers, wrists, forearms, upper arms, and even around their necks (known as torcs/torques). Some rings were simple circlets. Others were ornate works of art. They were made of iron, silver, copper, bronze, or gold, according to...

Mead

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There is probably no other drink as associated with Vikings as mead! Sure, Vikings drank a wide variety of other drinks such as ales and ciders. Viking chieftains even traded far and wide for fine wine and the precious glasses to serve it in, thus boasting of their wealth and...

Viking History Timeline

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This is a chronology of some of the leading people and events of the Viking Age. It is by no means comprehensive but only offers some sense of structure for this dynamic period in human history. Please note that exact dates are notoriously difficult to pin down during the 'Dark Ages,'...

Viking Tattoos and Body Art

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Editor's Note: While this article focuses on whether or not Vikings wore tattoos, there is no surviving skin artifacts from the Viking age. For the sake of images in this article, we offer some of our own personal favorite, modern day inspirations of Viking related tattoos. Did Vikings have tattoos?...

Viking Hair Styles

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Vikings came from an honor culture where individuals expressed their worth through actions, words, and appearance. Abundant jewelry, clothing, combs, and personal care items recovered by archaeologists show that personal presentation was of great importance in Viking societies. But while the Viking preoccupation with hair and grooming are well established,...

Filthy Barbarians or Dapper Danes?

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Viking Hygiene, Grooming, and Personal Presentation To some, Vikings were nothing but hairy barbarians with tangled beards and deplorable manners. They are pictured at feasts throwing animal bones at each other, still covered in the mud and blood of battle, and the only water that touched them was sea spray....

Amazing Mjölnir Artifacts

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Mjölnir (most common English pronunciation being: "me-owl-neer") was the mighty hammer of Thor, most beloved champion of the Norse gods. Thor used Mjölnir as his primary weapon in protecting humanity and gods alike from sea serpents, giants, ogres, and the forces of chaos. Thor’s role as protector earned him the...

Viking Goddesses

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Frigg was the Queen of the Viking pantheon, the wife of Odin, and the mother of the beloved god, Baldr. However, Freyja – goddess of magic, war, erotic love, and treasure – was probably the more venerated and popular female deity in the Viking Age. Never far from the Viking’s...

Viking Chess

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Note: When you are done reading this article, check out our Viking chess (Hnefatafl) sets and Isle of Lewis chess sets for sale here.   History of Hnefatafl (Tafl) ...and the Isle of Lewis Chess Set. Vikings loved to play games of strategy like dice games and various board games. Game boards and...

Romantic Love in the Viking Age

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When you hear the word ‘Vikings,' an image of hopeless romantics is probably not the first thing that springs to mind. You probably have heard that in the past, most marriages were simply business arrangements between families, and only the poorest people married for love. Some even say that the...

Why They’re Called Vikings

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Everybody knows what a Viking is. Well … more or less. These images may vary widely in detail and accuracy, but the general idea is there. There have been many magnificent warrior cultures in history – the Scythians, the Visigoths, the Sarmatians, the Pechenegs, the Mamelukes, and on and on...

Viking Gods remembered in the Days of the Week

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Many people know that our names for the days of the week carry the memories of ancient gods. And while the Romans had their own official names for each day of the week, the gods of Norse mythology have a very strong presence in the day names we use today....

Jörmungandr: The World-Coiling Midgard Serpent of Norse Mythology

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  Of all the gods, giants, beasts, and spirits that stalked the Viking mental landscape, Jörmungandr – the world-coiling serpent – remains one of the most renowned.  Jörmungandr is also known as the Midgard Serpent because he was a sea monster so large that he wrapped all the way around...

From Norsemen to Normans

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How the Vikings in France Became One of the Greatest Powers of the Middle Ages The Normans – the offspring of Viking raiders and the indigenous population along the west coast of France – became one of the Middle Ages' biggest influences.  Their ingenious political machinations and supreme military formed...

Viking Influences on Halloween

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Witches, Werewolves, Ghosts and the Undead Many people know that Halloween is rooted in the ancient Celtic holy day, Samhain. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Irish immigrants brought these traditions to America, where they developed into one of our most popular holidays. However, some of the best-known themes and...

Giants: The Anti-Gods of Norse Mythology

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In Viking lore, the giants were the enemies of the gods. Though numerous movies and pop culture themes have made this divine enmity well-known, the giants themselves are widely misunderstood by many modern Viking enthusiasts.  Growing up on stories like Jack and the Beanstalk and the like, we tend to...

Viking Lore: A Quick Intro to Norse Eddas and Sagas

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Consider how the bible, a collection of 66 different "books" (ancient written documents) offers a deeper understanding of the history relating to early Jews and Christians, those of us who are Scandinavian descendants or even anyone interested in Vikings and Norse mythology have asked, "What kind of ancient written documents...

Viking Art Styles

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A Brief Introduction to the six styles of Viking Art The Norse of the Viking Age (circa 793-1066) were very artistic people.  Unlike Classical artists who sculpted or painted as an end unto itself, though, the Vikings used art to beautify everyday things. They would chisel the prows of their...

Continued Viking Activity in America

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The Vikings in Greenland and America (part 4 of 4) The previous articles in this short series described the Viking expeditions to North America recorded in the sagas.  We can say with some confidence, though, that there were more of these adventures.  There are hints in the historical record of journeys to...

Vikings in America after Leif Erikson

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The Vikings in Greenland and America (part 3 of 4) Part 1 (Erik the Red) is available here. The Greenland Vikings mounted several more expeditions to America.  These ranged in size and success.  But each showed the new world was a place of both potential and peril.  The scions of Erik the Red...

What Did Vikings Wear? Clothing Realism vs Creative Interpretation

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Wearing Viking Clothing TodayIf you’re a Viking enthusiast, you may already know that there are numerous Viking festivals throughout the US and around the world. Even more popular are Irish / Celtic festivals, Scottish Highland Games and Medieval / Renaissance fairs, all of which typically include a presence of Viking reenactors. Part of...

Leif Erikson

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The Vikings in Greenland and America (part 2 of 4) Part 1 (Erik the Red) is available here. King Olaf Tryggvason was the grandson of the famous Harald Fairhair, the tyrant who had united all of Norway in the early 10th century.  Like his ancestor he was ambitious, but Olaf’s ambition...

Erik the Red

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The Vikings in Greenland and America (part 1 of 4) If American school children know one Viking by name, it is Leif Erikson, who was the first known European to set foot on North American soil.  Leif's fantastic voyage was almost 500 years before Columbus and the Age of Exploration.  But...

Viking Falconry

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In the long struggle for survival, humankind has found help by forming relationships of symbiotic cooperation with animals.  Horses enabled us to cover ground, oxen increased our work capacity, and dogs helped us hunt or herd.  People have made up for some of the limitations of our species by harnessing...

Viking Poetry

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Skalds and Norse Poetry Imagine walking into a bustling bar on a Saturday night and telling a story that was so good that everybody stopped to listen for the next few hours.  That was just what a skald could do.  Skalds were the poets of the Vikings, and poetry and...

Vikings and Christianity

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  The Viking Age (793-1066) began with sacking monasteries but ended with Viking kings becoming champions of the Church. This change is startling, especially because the struggle between the Vikings and the rest of Europe was so often framed as the battle between Heathenry and Christendom.  But how much of...