This book explores 11 popular misconceptions about the Vikings. Each chapter looks at a particular misconception, examines how it became popular, discusses what we now believe to be the truth, and provides excerpts from primary source documents. When people think of the Vikings, they often envision marauding barbarians who lived violent lives. While a number of mistaken beliefs about the Vikings have become engrained in popular culture, they are not grounded in historical facts. This book examines popular misconceptions related to the Vikings and the historical truths that contradict the fictions. The book discusses 11 mistaken notions about the Vikings, with each fiction treated in its own chapter. Topics include whether the Vikings wore horned helmets, whether they were unhygienic, whether they had primitive weapons, whether they drank out of skull cups, and more. Each chapter examines how the misconception proliferated and discusses what we now believe to be the facts contradicting the fictions. Excerpts from primary source documents help readers to understand how the misconceptions came to be throughout history and provide evidence for the historical truths.

Viking Holidays - Gods and Rituals: Myths, Sacrifices and Community in the far north Discover the spiritual customs of the Vikings, a proud culture whose festivals and rituals were closely linked to natural cycles and the worship of their Norse gods. In this book, you will be taken on a journey through the most important holidays and festivals of the far north, from the mysterious winter solstice celebrations to the important sacrificial rituals of spring. What you can expect: - A deep insight into the ritual practices of the Vikings, their sacrificial festivals and the role of the gods in their everyday lives. - The importance of the calendar and natural cycles in the planning and execution of the festivals. - The transitions from the pagan calendar to the Christian calendar and how ancient traditions survived. - The social and political functions of the festivals, which strengthened the cohesion of the community. Who is this book for? This book is aimed at readers interested in Norse mythology, history and the cultural practices of the Vikings. It is a valuable resource for historians, cultural enthusiasts and anyone who wants to understand the deep roots of our modern festivals. Insight into a fascinating world Join us on a journey into the past and discover how the Vikings shaped time, their festivals and their rituals. Let yourself be enchanted by the myths, the sacrifices and the community of this unique culture. Order now and rediscover the world of the Vikings!

Describes the history, customs, and daily life of the Vikings.

This is an unusual book for young readers. However, she will be interested in adults who are fond of the history of the Vikings. The first part is 12 newly discovered adventure stories about the Vikings such as Ivar the Viking by Paul B. Du Chaillu, Eric Brighteyes by H. Rider Haggard, The Story of Rolf and the Viking's Bow by Allen French, Olaf the Glorious: A Story of the Viking Age by Robert Leighton, Wulfric the Weapon Thane by Charles W. Whistler, Viking Boys by Jessie Margaret Edmondston Saxby, King Alfred's Viking by Charles W. Whistler and others.

While studying the progress made in the colonisation of different parts of the world by European nations, I have often asked myself the following questions:— How is it that over every region of the globe the spread of the English-speaking people and of their language far exceeds that of all the other European nations combined? Why is it that, wherever the English-speaking people have settled, or are at this day found, even in small numbers, they are far more energetic, daring, adventurous, and prosperous, and understand the art of self-government and of ruling alien peoples far better than other colonising nations? Whence do the English-speaking communities derive the remarkable energy they possess; for the people of Britain when invaded by the Romans did not show any such quality? What are the causes which have made the English such a pre-eminently seafaring people? for without such a characteristic they could not have been the founders of so many states and colonies speaking the English tongue! In studying the history of the world we find that all the nations which have risen to high power and widespread dominion have been founded by men endowed with great, I may say terrible, energy; extreme bravery and the love of conquest being the most prominent traits of their character. The mighty sword with all its evils has thus far always proved a great engine of civilisation. To get a satisfactory answer to the above questions we must go far back, and study the history of the race who settled in Britain during and after the Roman occupation. We shall thus find why their descendants are to-day so brave, successful, energetic and prosperous in the lands which they have colonised; and why they are so pre-eminently skilled in the art of self-government. We find that a long stretch of coast is not sufficient, though necessary, to make the population of a country a seafaring nation. When the Romans invaded Britain, the Brits had no fleet to oppose them. We do not until a later period meet with that love of the sea which is so characteristically English:—not before the gradual absorption of the earlier inhabitants by a blue-eyed and yellow-haired seafaring people who succeeded in planting themselves and their language in the country. To the numerous warlike and ocean-loving tribes of the North, the ancestors of the English-speaking people, we must look for the transformation that took place in Britain. In their descendants we recognise to this day many of the very same traits of character which these old Northmen possessed, as will be seen on the perusal of this work. Britain, after a continuous immigration which lasted several hundred years, became the most powerful colony of the Northern tribes, several of the chiefs of the latter claiming to own a great part of England in the seventh and eighth centuries. At last the time came when the land of the emigrants waxed more powerful, more populous than the mother-country, and asserted her independence; and to-day the people of England, as they look over the broad Atlantic, may discern a similar process which is taking place in the New World. The impartial mind which rises above the prejudice of nationality must acknowledge that no country will leave a more glorious impress upon the history of the world than England. Her work cannot be undone; should she to-day sink beneath the seas which bathe her shores, her record will for ever stand brilliantly illuminated on the page of history. The great states which she has founded, which have inherited her tongue, and which are destined to play a most important part in the future of civilisation, will be witnesses of the mighty work she has accomplished. They will look back with pride to the progenitors of their race who lived in the glorious and never-to-be-forgotten countries of the North, the birthplace of a new epoch in the history of mankind. To be continue in this ebook...

This intense, passionate Viking romance will have you gripped! The Viking’s captive Bonded by more than chains…? Renowned Viking warrior Ulfric can’t stop thinking about his runaway concubine, Eithne. Their powerful connection seared his soul…and still she’d escaped, scarring his face in the process! But now he’s found her. He intends to teach her a lesson, but the white-hot passion between them has only grown hotter, wilder. Is he the one in danger of falling captive to the emotion only Eithne rouses in him…? From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.