Scandinavian History

Vikings

  • They died south in Särkland

    In 1036, what is believed to be the last major Viking expedition left what is now Sweden to head east in search of riches and possibly fame. Fame came, but certainly not in the way the participants had imagined.As it… Continue reading

  • The Battle of Stamford Bridge

    Today, but 958 years ago, Monday, September 25, 1066, the Norwegian king Harald Hardrada and Harold Godwinson, since about nine months ago the king of England, met each other at Stamford Bridge, in Yorkshire. It was not a peaceful meeting… Continue reading

  • Egil Skallagrimsson, Viking poet

    Not all names in the Norse or Icelandic sagas and secular myths refer to people who actually existed. An exception is the Icelandic poet Egil Skallagrimsson; he lived once and has gone down in history as not only Iceland’s but… Continue reading

  • The raid on Lindisfarne

    There are a few instances where it’s impossible to recount Scandinavian history without also telling English history, and this is one of those times: On what is considered this day, June 8th, in 793, Scandinavian Vikings attacked the island of… Continue reading