History

Haakon the Good: Architect of Medieval Norwegian Transformation

In the tumultuous landscape of 10th-century Scandinavia, a remarkable monarch emerged who would fundamentally reshape Norway's political and social trajectory. King Haakon I, posthumously known as ...

Eric Bloodaxe: The Turbulent Viking King of Norway and York

Eric Bloodaxe (Old Norse: Eiríkr blóðøx), a prominent 10th-century Norse ruler, was a son of Harald Fairhair (Harald Hårfagre), the first king of Norway, and one of his numerous wives, Ragnhild Eri...

Ingólfr Arnarson: The Pioneering Settler Who Founded Iceland

In the annals of Norse exploration, few figures stand as prominently as Ingólfr Arnarson, the legendary Norwegian chieftain credited with establishing the first permanent Norse settlement in Icelan...

Vendel Art, Trade, and Legacy: Scandinavia’s Golden Age

The Vendel Period laid the foundation for Norse greatness. Learn about its art, elite burials, and technological advancements in this historical overview.

Rognvald Eysteinsson: The Viking Earl Who Shaped North Atlantic History

Journey through the strategic mind of a Viking earl who redefined Norse expansion in the North Atlantic archipelagos.

Cultural Origins of the Æsir, Vanir, and Jötnar: A Neolithic Connection

The complex tapestry of Norse mythology, with its rich narratives of the Æsir, Vanir, and Jötnar, may have deeper roots in the archaeological record than previously recognized. Recent scholarship h...

The Origins of the Word 'Viking': A Historical Investigation

The term "Viking" has captured the popular imagination for centuries, evoking images of seafaring warriors from the North. However, the etymology of this widely recognized name has a complex histor...

Tissø: Elite Power Center of Viking Age Denmark

Situated on the western shores of Zealand, Denmark, Tissø emerged as one of the most significant power centers in Viking Age Scandinavia. The settlement flourished between 550 and 1050 CE, centered...

892: The Year Frankia's Ships Turned Viking Tides Towards Wessex

In the year 892, a pivotal decision by the Frankish ruler Odo, Count of Paris, would drastically alter the course of Viking incursions in Western Europe. The provision of 250 ships to a significant...

Viking Warriors Repurpose Anglo-Saxon Holy Site at Repton

The Viking presence at St. Wystan's Church in Repton, Derbyshire, particularly in its crypts, represents a fascinating intersection of Anglo-Saxon religious architecture and Viking military strateg...