The History of Vikings

It’s been more than a thousand years since medieval Scandinavians left their homelands in search of plunder and glory, becoming the scourge of Christian monasteries and coastal cities—raiding and trading far and wide, from Anglo-Saxon England to modern-day Russia, Constantinople, and the Islamic Emirate of Cordoba in Spain. The Vikings traversed so much of the world, exploring and settling Iceland, Greenland, and, for the topic of this episode, North America. Medieval Icelandic sagas claim the Vikings reached North America around the year 1000.  But what is the story of the Norse in this ‘’new world’’? What are our sources? Were there interactions with indigenous peoples? Who were the key characters? And what could have led to the demise of the Vikings in North America?Today's guest is British historian Martyn Whittock, a historical consultant to the BBC, whose books have sold over 1 million copies. Martyn is the author of American Vikings: How the Norse Sailed into the Lands and Imaginations of America. Resources Mentioned:Martyn's Books:American Vikings: How the Norse Sailed into the Lands and Imaginations of America: http://pegasusbooks.com/books/american-vikings-9781639365357-hardcoverVikings in the East. From Vladimir the Great to Vladimir Putin - The Origins of a Contested Legacy in Russia and Ukraine: https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/vikings-in-the-eastTales of Valhalla: Norse Myths and Legends: http://pegasusbooks.com/books/tales-of-valhalla-9781681778464-hardcoverThe Vikings. From Odin to Christ: https://spckpublishing.co.uk/the-vikings1016 and 1066: Why the Vikings Caused the Norman Conquest: https://www.crowood.com/book/1016-and-1066The Viking Blitzkrieg, AD 789–1098: https://thehistorypress.co.uk/publication/the-viking-blitzkriegConnect with The History of Vikings & Support the Show By:Getting a copy of Noah's book, Viking Warrior vs Frankish Warrior: Francia 799–911 (Osprey Publishing): https://www.ospreypublishing.com/us/viking-warrior-vs-frankish-warrior-9781472848857Share Noah's articles, written for History.com:''Yule: How the Vikings Celebrated the Winter Holiday'': https://www.history.com/articles/viking-yule-holiday-winter''Valhalla: How Viking Belief in a Glorious Afterlife Empowered Warriors": https://www.history.com/articles/viking-valhalla-valkyrie-afterlifeFollow The History of Vikings On:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofvikingX: https://x.com/HistoryofVikingEmail Noah with ideas for future episodes: [email protected] in every week for a new episode of The History of Vikings. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

Join host Noah Tetzner for a special announcement about his appearance on The History Channel's new TV series "History's Greatest Warriors." In this brief episode, Noah shares details about his featured role in the Vikings episode and gives an exclusive sneak peek at the show's trailer, including fascinating insights about berserkers and Viking warfare tactics.WATCH ''History's Greatest Warriors'' on The History Channel: https://www.history.com/shows/historys-greatest-warriorsConnect with The History of Vikings & Support the Show By:Getting a copy of Noah's book, Viking Warrior vs Frankish Warrior: Francia 799–911 (Osprey Publishing): https://www.ospreypublishing.com/us/viking-warrior-vs-frankish-warrior-9781472848857Share Noah's articles, written for History.com:''Yule: How the Vikings Celebrated the Winter Holiday'': https://www.history.com/articles/viking-yule-holiday-winter''Valhalla: How Viking Belief in a Glorious Afterlife Empowered Warriors": https://www.history.com/articles/viking-valhalla-valkyrie-afterlifeFollow The History of Vikings On:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofvikingX: https://x.com/HistoryofVikingEmail Noah with ideas for future episodes: [email protected] in every week for a new episode of The History of Vikings. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

The Icelandic sagas are among the most remarkable literary treasures of the medieval world. Written down in Iceland primarily in the 13th and 14th centuries, they preserve stories of the Viking Age and the generations that followed—stories of feud, honor, law, revenge, family loyalty, and fate. What makes the sagas so powerful is that they do not read like myths in the usual sense. They feel human, grounded, and psychologically sharp.Their heroes are rarely simple heroes, and their villains are rarely just villains. Instead, we meet complicated men and women navigating a hard world where reputation meant everything.These sagas introduce us to unforgettable, major figures such as Egil Skallagrimsson and Aud the Deep-Minded. But what purpose did the minor characters, primarily nameless and unimportant figures, play within medieval Icelandic sagas? In this episode of The History of Vikings, Noah is joined by Dr. Ármann Jakobsson, Professor of Old Icelandic Literature at the University of Iceland and the author of Minor Characters in Icelandic Sagas: A Narratological Study.Resources Mentioned: Connect with Dr. Ármann Jakobsson on Academia.edu: https://armannjakobsson.academia.eduÁrmann's book, Minor Characters in Icelandic Sagas: A Narratological Study: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-032-11187-6Connect with The History of Vikings & Support the Show By:Getting a copy of Noah's book, Viking Warrior vs Frankish Warrior: Francia 799–911 (Osprey Publishing): https://www.ospreypublishing.com/us/viking-warrior-vs-frankish-warrior-9781472848857Share Noah's articles, written for History.com:''Yule: How the Vikings Celebrated the Winter Holiday'': https://www.history.com/articles/viking-yule-holiday-winter''Valhalla: How Viking Belief in a Glorious Afterlife Empowered Warriors": https://www.history.com/articles/viking-valhalla-valkyrie-afterlifeFollow The History of Vikings On:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofvikingX: https://x.com/HistoryofVikingEmail Noah with ideas for future episodes: [email protected] in every week for a new episode of The History of Vikings. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

Support this podcast by visiting our sponsor Norse TradesmanP.S. - You can get get 15% off their entire store  by visiting: https://norsetradesman.com/podcastFeel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries [email protected]: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Support this podcast by visiting our sponsor Norse TradesmanP.S. - You can get get 15% off their entire store  by visiting: https://norsetradesman.com/podcastFeel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries [email protected]: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Support this podcast by visiting our sponsor Norse TradesmanP.S. - You can get get 15% off their entire store  by visiting: https://norsetradesman.com/podcastFeel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries [email protected]: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Support this podcast by visiting our sponsor Norse TradesmanP.S. - You can get get 15% off their entire store  by visiting: https://norsetradesman.com/podcastFeel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries [email protected]: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Support this podcast by visiting our sponsor Genomelink. P.S. - You can get the exclusive Viking DNA Report, usually $29, for free! Just use the promo code ''HISTORY'' or follow this link: https://genomelink.io/signup/?pc=historyFeel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries [email protected]: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Support this podcast by visiting our sponsor Genomelink. P.S. - You can get the exclusive Viking DNA Report, usually $29, for free! Just use the promo code ''HISTORY'' or follow this link: https://genomelink.io/signup/?pc=historyFeel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries [email protected]: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Support this podcast by visiting our sponsor Genomelink. P.S. - You can get the exclusive Viking DNA Report, usually $29, for free! Just use the promo code ''HISTORY'' or follow this link: https://genomelink.io/signup/?pc=historyFeel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries [email protected]: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Support this podcast by visiting our sponsor Genomelink. P.S. - You can get the exclusive Viking DNA Report, usually $29, for free! Just use the promo code ''HISTORY'' or follow this link: https://genomelink.io/signup/?pc=historyFeel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries [email protected]: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Support this podcast by visiting our sponsor Genomelink. P.S. - You can get the exclusive Viking DNA Report, usually $29, for free! Just use the promo code ''HISTORY'' or follow this link: https://genomelink.io/signup/?pc=historyFeel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries [email protected]: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Support this podcast by visiting our sponsor Norse TradesmanP.S. - You can get get 15% off their entire store  by visiting: https://norsetradesman.com/podcastFeel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries [email protected]: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Support this podcast by visiting our sponsor Genomelink. P.S. - You can get the exclusive Viking DNA Report, usually $29, for free! Just use the promo code ''HISTORY'' or follow this link: https://genomelink.io/signup/?pc=historyFeel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries [email protected]: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Today I chat with Nancy Marie Brown about Gudrid, an Icelandic voyager, who sailed to North America. Support this podcast by today's sponsor, Viking, and their Viking Homelands Itinerary. Referenced in Today’s Episode:The Far Traveler: Voyages of a Viking Woman (Non-fiction)The Saga of Gudrid the Far-Traveler (Fiction)Nancy's WebsiteFollow The History of Vikings on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram.Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries [email protected]: Danheim – Framganga

Today I speak with Nancy Marie Brown about the hidden history of Viking warrior women.Support this podcast by today's sponsor, Viking, and their Viking Homelands Itinerary. Referenced in Today’s Episode:The Real Valkyrie: The Hidden History of Viking Warrior WomenNancy's Website with Links to all Her BooksFeel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries [email protected]: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Today I chat with classical historian, Nic Fields about Harald Hardrada of Norway. Support this podcast by today's sponsor, Viking, and their Viking Homelands Itinerary. Referenced in Today’s Episode: God's Viking: Harald Hardrada: The Life and Times of the Last Great Viking Follow The History of Vikings on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram.Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries [email protected]: Danheim – Framganga

Today I chat with Dr. Else Roesdahl about the Scandinavian king, Harald Bluetooth.Support this podcast by today's sponsor, Viking, and their Viking Homelands Itinerary. Referenced in Today’s Episode:The Vikings: Third Edition''Valhalla: How Viking Belief in a Glorious Afterlife Empowered Warriors''Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries [email protected]: Danheim – Framganga

Support this podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyofvikingVisit my friend and Swedish blacksmith, Philip Lufolk: https://lufolk.comMedieval Scandinavians and other Germanic peoples celebrated a holiday called Yule during the time of year when days became longer and winter was at its peak. What was this holiday and how was it celebrated? Do we have surviving evidence for what happened at Yule celebrations during the Viking Age? In today’s holiday-themed episode, I’m joined by Dr. Terry Gunnell, Professor Emeritus of Folkloristics at the University of Iceland and returning podcast guest. Dr. Gunnell was kind enough to answer my call for his expertise when it comes to the winter holiday of Yule. Be sure to check out his previous interviews on The History of Vikings, which are the episodes titled ‘’Norse Mythology & a Pantheon of Gods’’ and ‘’Historical Worship of the Norse Gods’’.Email Noah with ideas for future episodes: [email protected]: Danheim – Framganga & FolkvangrSupport this podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyofvikingVisit my friend and Swedish blacksmith, Philip Lufolk: https://lufolk.com