CULTURAL HISTORY – VIKINGS
Havets herskere
Published by Dreyer Forlag, 2019
The Vikings came from the Sea, a part of the world the inhabitants of Europe thought to be endless and impassable. From the 9th to the 11th century, Viking ships landed on almost every shore in the Western world. Wherever Viking ships roamed, enormous suffering followed in their wake, but the encounter between cultures changed both European and Nordic societies.
Employing sail technology and using unpredictable strategies, the Vikings could strike suddenly, attack with great force, then withdraw with stolen goods or captives. Viking society was highly militarised, honour was everything and losing one’s reputation was worse than death. The book describe the importance of war for the Vikings. It was part of the fabric of society. This history of the Vikings discusses their society and unique way of life, their ships, weapons and armour, their fight for dominance over Scandinavia and how they raided across Europe and even reached America.
Translation rights sold to Denmark, Sweden. 215 pages. Illustrated. 17,5 × 24 cm
Kim Hjardar (b. 1966) is M.Phil in Nordic Viking and Medieval Culture studies from the University of Oslo, and works as a Lector of History at the St. Hallvard College. He heads Norway’s oldest and biggest association for living history re-enactments of the Viking time.