The History of Vikings

Today I chat with Dr. Alexandra Sanmark, Reader in Medieval Archaeology at the Centre for Nordic Studies at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We discuss assembly sites across the Old Norse World and the significance they had in how the Vikings governed their people. Be sure to check out my new book  The Poetic Edda: A Study Guide. The Poetic Edda is a collection of medieval Icelandic poems about the Norse gods and their human heroes. It is a crucial source for Norse myth and has inspired the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkein and the operas of Richard Wagner. Referenced in Today’s Episode: Viking Law and Order Dr. Sanmark's Biography, Work, and Publications Recommended Articles by Ancient History Encyclopedia: The Legendary Settlement of Iceland Ragnar Lothbrok Twelve Great Viking Leaders Follow The History of Vikings on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries noah@thehistoryofvikings.com Music: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Today I speak with Dr. John Hines, Professor of Archaeology at the School of History, Archaeology, and Religion at Cardiff University. We discuss the origin of the Old Norse language and the influence it has had across the medieval world. Additionally, we discuss the Old Norse system of writing (runes) and early examples of this type of writing. Be sure to check out my new book  The Poetic Edda: A Study Guide. The Poetic Edda is a collection of medieval Icelandic poems about the Norse gods and their human heroes. It is a crucial source for Norse myth and has inspired the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkein and the operas of Richard Wagner. Referenced in Today’s Episode: Dr. John Hines Biography, Work, and Publications Recommended Articles by Ancient History Encyclopedia: The Vikings in Iceland Vikings TV Series - Truths and Fictions Vikings: Jewelry, Weapons & Social Change at The VIKINGR Exhibition Follow The History of Vikings on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries noah@thehistoryofvikings.com Music: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Today I chat with prolific historical YouTuber and good friend Hilbert. In today's episode, we ask the important question ''Why did the Viking Age begin?'' and discuss the causes and effects of the medieval Scandinavians. Referenced in Today’s Episode: History with Hilbert YouTube channel Recommended Articles by Ancient History Encyclopedia: Vikings Vikings TV Series - Truths and Fictions The Vikings in Ireland Follow The History of Vikings on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries noah@thehistoryofvikings.com Music: Danheim – Framganga

Today I have the pleasure of announcing the release of a new book titled The Poetic Edda: A Study Guide. The Poetic Edda is a collection of medieval Icelandic poems about the Norse gods and their human heroes. It is a crucial source for Norse myth and has inspired the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkein and the operas of Richard Wagner. Recommended Articles by Ancient History Encyclopedia: Edda Norse Mythology Ten Legendary Female Viking Warriors Follow The History of Vikings on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries noah@thehistoryofvikings.com Music: Danheim – Framganga

Today I chat with Dr. Ármann Jakobsson, Professor of medieval Icelandic literature at the University of Iceland. We discuss the ways in which Old Norse literature inspired the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Referenced in Today's Episode: Dr. Jakobsson's Website & Work Follow Dr. Jakobsson on Academia.edu Recommended Articles by Ancient History Encyclopedia: Norse Ghosts & the Afterlife Norse Ghosts & Funerary Rites Edda Saga Follow The History of Vikings on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries noah@thehistoryofvikings.com Music: Danheim – Framganga

Today I chat with Dr. Terry Gunnell, Professor of Folkloristics at the University of Iceland. We discuss the historical worship of the Norse gods and the evidence available for this in literature, archeology, and runic inscriptions.  Referenced in Today’s Episode: Dr. Gunnell's Books & More of His Work Eitri - The Norse Artifacts Database Follow Dr. Gunnell on Academia.edu Recommended Articles by Ancient History Encyclopedia: Norse Ghosts & the Afterlife Norse Ghosts & Funerary Rites Norse-Viking Symbols & Meanings Follow The History of Vikings on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries noah@thehistoryofvikings.com Music: Danheim – Framganga

Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Elizabeth Ashman Rowe of Cambridge University about the life and legend of Ragnar Lothbrok. In this episode, we discuss historical sources for his life and how studying him can contribute to a greater understanding of the Viking Age. Referenced in Today’s Episode: Vikings in the West: The Legend of Ragnarr Lodbrok and His Sons The Oxford Illustrated History of the Vikings Follow The History of Vikings on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries noah@thehistoryofvikings.com Music: Danheim – Framganga

Today I chat with Dr. Vésteinn Ólason former director of the Arni Magnusson Institute, the foremost repository of old Icelandic manuscripts. He is also a retired professor of literature and an author who has written numerous books on literary history and criticism. We discuss the life and work of medieval Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson. Referenced in Today’s Episode: Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies Follow The History of Vikings on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries noah@thehistoryofvikings.com Music: Danheim – Framganga

Today I chat with Dr. Jackson Crawford, an Old Norse specialist, and translator teaching at the University of Colorado Boulder. We discuss everything a beginner will need to know about the Old Norse sagas, including the genres, characters, and more. Referenced in Today’s Episode: 1000 AD: A Tour of the Viking World // Vikings Documentary Dr. Crawford's translation of The Poetic Edda Dr. Crawford's translation of The Saga of the Volsungs Dr. Crawford's YouTube Channel Follow The History of Vikings on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries noah@thehistoryofvikings.com Music: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Today I chat with Dr. Torfi Tulinius, Professor of Medieval Icelandic Studies at the University of Iceland. We discuss Egil Skallagrímsson, the Viking Age poet and warrior who is best known as being the protagonist in Egill's Saga. Referenced in Today’s Episode: The Enigma of Egill: The Saga, the Viking Poet, and Snorri Sturluson Follow Dr. Tulinius on Academia.edu Follow The History of Vikings on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries noah@thehistoryofvikings.com Music: Danheim - Framganga

Today I speak with Dr. Mathias Nordvig of the University of Colorado Boulder. He teaches Pre-Christian Nordic mythologies, Scandinavian folklore, North Atlantic and Greenlandic literature, reception history of the Viking Age in the Nordic Studies Program there. We discuss Old Norse death poetry, what those poems teach us about the Viking Age, and more.  Referenced in Today’s Episode: The Daily Poem Podcast Dr. Mathias Nordvig’s Nordic Mythology YouTube Chanel Dr. Mathias Nordvig's Website Follow Dr. Mathias Nordvig on Academia.edu Follow The History of Vikings on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries noah@thehistoryofvikings.com Music: Danheim - Framganga & Folkvangr

Today I chat with Dr. Jane Kershaw of Oxford University about the Danelaw. Listen for a conversation about the Scandinavian influence in medieval England and the cultural impact it left behind. Referenced in Today’s Episode: Libromania – A Podcast for Book Lovers Dr. Jane Kershaw on Academia.edu Follow The History of Vikings on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries  noah@thehistoryofvikings.com Music: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Today I chat with Luke de Wolf and Dan Larabie of the Northern Myths Podcast. We discuss the Finnish Kalevala and how it contrasts to works of Norse myth. Referenced in Today’s Episode: The Daily Poem Podcast Northern Myths Podcast Northern Myths Patreon Follow The History of Vikings on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries noah@thehistoryofvikings.com  Music: Danheim - Framganga & Folkvangr

Today I chat with Professor Gísli Sigurðsson of the University of Iceland about Laxdæla saga. We discuss the origin of this well-known Icelandic saga, the key characters it features, and whether it should be considered a historical source. Referenced in Today’s Episode: Libromania - A Podcast for Book Lovers Medieval Icelandic Saga and Oral Tradition: A Discourse on Method. Gaelic Influence in Iceland Follow The History of Vikings on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries  noah@thehistoryofvikings.com Music: Danheim - Framganga & Folkvangr

Today I had a chat with Dr. James Montgomery of Cambridge University about medieval Arabic traveler Ibn Fadlan. Ibn Fadlan'swriting is an interesting source for the Viking Age and provides a foreigner's perspective on the people he called the Rus'. Referenced in Today’s Episode: JORVIK Viking Festival Follow The History of Vikings on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries  noah@thehistoryofvikings.com Music: Danheim - Framganga & Folkvangr