The History of Vikings

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:...

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 – Trut...

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 &...

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 Recomme...

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 Hi...

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 Institut...

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. Craw...

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 Vi...

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 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…

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…

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:…

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,…

Today I had a chat with Dr. Peter Addyman, British archaeologist and original director of York Archaeological Trust. We discussed the history of Viking Age York and the discoveries he made during the Coppergate Dig of the 1970-80s. Referenced in Today’s Episode: JORVIK Viking Festival  Follow The History of Vikings on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. Feel…

Today I chat with Sarah Maltby, Director of Attractions for York Archaeological Trust. We discuss the rich history of Viking Age York in the spirit of the upcoming JORVIK Viking Festival. 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…

Listen for an excellent conversation with Dr. Jón Karl Helgason on this new book, Echoes of Valhalla: The Afterlife of the Eddas and Sagas. Dr. Helgason is a professor at the University of Iceland and describes the way in which the myths of Old Norse literature have lived on throughout history. From Tolkien’s Wizard Gandalf, Richard Wagner’s…

Today I chat with Dr. Mathias Nordivg who teaches at the University of Colorado Boulder in the Nordic Studies Program. He teaches Pre-Christian Nordic mythologies, Scandinavian folklore, North Atlantic and Greenlandic literature, reception history of the Viking Age, and much more.  In today’s episode, we discuss the history of Viking Age Iceland, Icelandic discovery and settlement, and Icelandic v...

Today I chat with Dr. Rory Naismith, an early medievalist at King’s Collge London and author of a new book called Citadel of the Saxons: The Rise of Early London. We discuss the history of Viking Age London and Anglo-Saxon England in addition to topics relating to Viking Age England. Referenced in Today’s Episode: JORVIK Viking Festival Citadel…

Today I had the honor of speaking with Chef Jonas Lorentzen. We discuss food during the Viking Age, his career with the popular music group Heilung, what inspires him about Norse myth, and much more. Referenced in Today’s Episode: Matr – Jonas’ New Nordic Food Company  Jonas’s Musical Work An Interview with Jonas on Vegetarian Viking…

Today I chat with Dr. Luke John Murphy of the University of Leicester. Dr. Murphy presents an interesting new concept regarding a unified Norse pantheon and describes the evidence for medieval pagan worshiping practices. Referenced in Today’s Episode: Dr.  Luke John Murphy’s Website Follow Dr. Luke John Murphy on Twitter Follow The History of Vikings…

Today I chat with Dr. Judith Jesch, Professor of Viking Studies at the University of Nottingham. Her research has focused on a wide range of topics including Old Norse sagas, poetry, runic inscriptions, and much more. Referenced in Today’s Episode: Women in the Viking Age The Viking Diaspora Follow The History of Vikings on YouTube,…

Today I speak with Siân Esther Powell, host of The Celtic Myths and Legends Podcast. We explore the world of Celtic mythology, how it relates to Norse myth and the primary sources that feature the myths. Referenced in Today’s Episode: Celtic Myths and Legends Podcast Follow The History of Vikings on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram.…

Today I talk with friend of the show, Bjørn Andreas Bull-Hansen. In our conversation, we discuss ''The Viking Mentality.'' Bjørn is a bestselling Norwegian novelist, bushcrafter, yachtsman, historic archer, and modern day Viking. Please be sure to check out more of his work via the links below. Bjørn's Youtube channel https://bit.ly/2Pa3YDU Bjørn's website & blog https://bull-hansen.com/ The Histo...

Today I talk with friend of the show, Bjørn Andreas Bull-Hansen. In our conversation, we discuss ''The Viking Mentality.'' Bjørn is a bestselling Norwegian novelist, bushcrafter, yachtsman, historic archer, and modern day Viking. Please be sure to check out more of his work via the links below. Bjørn's Youtube channel https://bit.ly/2Pa3YDU Bjørn's website & blog https://bull-hansen.com/ The Histo...

Today I am joined by Jonna Jinton, Swedish artist, photographer, and musician. Listen for a discussion about the ancient Swedish herding call known as ''Kulning.'' Please be sure to check out more of her work via the link below.  Jonna's Website & Jewelry Shop https://jonnajinton.se/ The Book I Recommended ''The Origin of Words, Names, and Everything in Between''  http://bit.ly/originofnames The H...