The Vikings
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Websites
Viking ships and Norse wooden boats
http://home.online.no/~joeolavl/viking/index.htm
Although created by an enthusiast – Jørn Olav Løset, a Norwegian dairy farmer – this is an excellent site with lots of illustrations and diagrams. In both Norwegian and English.
The Viking Answer Lady
www.vikinganswerlady.com/index.shtml
Large, well-thought-of enthusiast’s site based on a Q&A format. Covers Viking daily life, technology, agriculture, warfare, art and literature, myth and religion, and settlements.
Vikings!
www.regia.org/vikings.htm
Viking section on the website of Regia Anglorum, the re-enactment society devoted to the peoples of England from AD 950 to 1066: Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans and Britons. Contains lots of links and features on Viking experimental archaeology.
Viking ship home page
www.pitt.edu/~dash/ships.html
A thorough website of Viking ship resources.
In the footsteps of Ivarr the Boneless
www.channel4.com/history/microsites/H/history
/i-m/ivarr.html
The progress of the Viking warlord from Denmark to Dublin, then his invasion of England and foray into Scotland.
Hjemkomst Viking ship
www.hjemkomst-center.com/ship/main.htm
A modern day reconstruction of a Viking ship. Contains a detailed diary of the build and sea trials.
Jorvik Viking Centre
www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk/index2.htm?t=hp
The website of the Jorvik Viking Centre in York, with links to excavations carried out by the York Archaeological Trust.
Time Team Live 99
www.channel4.com/history/timeteam/archive/
timeteamlive99/
Website of the team’s excavations in York, which included a Viking site. There are lots of links to further information, especially in the ‘Archaeology in York’ section.
The Rus Project
www.qnet.fi/rus-project/
Website of a group of Finnish experimental archaeologists who built a replica of a Viking ship and sailed it, among other places, down the rivers Don and Volga to Astrakhan.
Books
A History of the Vikings by Gwyn Jones (Oxford Paperbacks, 2001)
This classic study traces the development of the northern peoples and kingdoms from their origins and legendary prehistory to the triumphs of Cnut and the defeat of Harald Hardrada at Stamford Bridge in 1066.
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this book
The Oxford Illustrated History of the Vikings edited by Peter Sawyer (Oxford Paperbacks, 2001)
This book presents a compelling picture of the Vikings and their age. Excavations as far apart as Dublin and Newfoundland, York and Kiev provide fascinating archaeological evidence, expertly interpreted.
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this book
The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings by John Haywood (Penguin, 1995)
By revealing the Vikings’ development as traders and artisans, explorers, settlers and mercenaries, this atlas sets out to show that they were more than just marine terrorists.
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this book
The Penguin Book of Norse Myths: Gods of the Vikings by Kevin Crossley-Holland (Penguin Books, 1996)
Crossley-Holland brings alive 32 Norse myths, revealing a dynamic culture that reflects the Vikings’ spirit and confidence, ruthlessness and cruelty, arrogance and generosity.
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this book
The Vicious Vikings (Horrible Histories series) by Terry Deary (Scholastic Hippo, 1994)
Packed with frightening facts about the vile Viking invaders and their Anglo-Saxon enemies, this children’s book looks at history with the nasty bits left in.
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this book
The Viking World by James Graham-Campbell (Frances Lincoln, 2001)
Every aspect of Viking life is examined, with chapters on ships, runes and religion contributed by specialist authors. The text is complemented by maps, reconstruction drawings and photographs.
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this book
The Vikings by Magnus Magnusson (Tempus, 2003)
This history considers the totality of the Viking experience, taking their story from their origins to their great voyages and lasting impact on the wider world.
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this book
Films
Erik the Viking (UK/Sweden, 1989)
Directed by Terry Jones
Cast: Tim Robbins, John Cleese, Mickey Rooney, Eartha Kitt.
Erik (Robbins) gathers warriors from his village and sets out on a dangerous journey to Valhalla, to ask the gods to end the Age of Ragnarok and allow his people to see sunlight again. A Pythonesque satire of Viking life.
The 13th Warrior (US, 1999)
Directed by John McTiernan
Cast: Antonio Banderas, Vladimir Kulich, Omar Sharif
In AD 922, an Arab emissary (Banderas) joins a party of Vikings and is appalled by their customs. Then he learns the horrifying truth: he has been enlisted to combat a terror that slaughters the Vikings and devours their flesh. The resemblance to any real Vikings is only cursory.
The Vikings (US, 1958)
Directed by Richard Fleischer
Cast: Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, Ernest Borgnine, Janet Leigh
When the throne of Northumbria in Britain becomes ripe for the taking, two half-brothers (Douglas and Curtis) compete against each other for the prize, but they have very different motives – both involving the princess Morgana (Leigh). This film is considered by historians to be a good stab at reality.
