Title Image: Tin alloy dragon head found in Brika, Sweden, c. 750-900. Source: Science Nordic Dragons are important figures in many mythologies, including Norse. However, understanding Norse dragons can be difficult because almost everything we know about them comes from Christian sources, which project established Christian ideas about the mythical beasts onto the Norse stories.…
One of the Viking cities that has yielded the most fascinating Viking archaeological evidence is not in Scandinavia. York, or Jorvik in Old Norse, was a Viking outpost in Northumbria, England, for around 200 years following the arrival of the Great Heathen Army. As well as yielding fascinating archaeological finds, it is tied to some…
In 1066, the Vikings had a very good claim to the throne of England. Harald Hardrada, King of Norway, set sail to assert his rights. But an invasion that could have seen the Vikings overrun England ended in disaster when they were defeated at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Moreover, by splitting the English resources…
The Vikings firmly believed in life after death, as indicated by the elaborate burial practices, which ensured that people were able to take what they needed with them from this life into the next. They also believed in multiple different afterlives, most of which were a reflection of this life. Where you ended up depended…
Belts, a very useful accessory, have been around since ancient times. They have been worn since the Bronze Age (c. 2000 BC), and those worn by the Greeks and Romans would look familiar today. The Vikings also wore belts that would not be too out of place in a modern wardrobe. The belt itself was…
Many people are familiar with the Oseberg ship burial, as it is one of the most famous and well-preserved ship burials surviving from the Viking age. It is known for its elaborately decorated ship, unusual Buddha bucket, and the two enigmatic women buried inside. Fewer people know that it is one of our few sources…
While Loki is often cast as the major villain in retellings of Norse mythology, it is actually Loki’s children who are some of the most terrifying creatures in Norse tales. The children of Loki with the giantess Angrboda were Fenrir, Jormungandr, and Hel. These children were feared and persecuted by the Aesir gods, acts that…
Are you looking for a strong Norse name for your baby girl? Are you having a little Shieldmaiden? Below is a list of Norse names from the Viking sagas and Norse mythology, with their meanings and connections to surviving people and stories. Don’t forget that Viking men had the habit of taking the name of…
Are you looking for a strong Norse name for your baby boy? Are you having a little Viking? Below is a list of Norse names from the Viking sagas and Norse mythology with their meanings and connections to surviving people and stories. Don’t forget that Viking men had the habit of taking the name of…
Looking for the perfect new Viking tattoo for you? The Vikings relied heavily on symbols to communicate their faith and beliefs. They wore them as amulets, carved them into buildings and on stones as marks of protection, and added them to images to create additional layers of meaning. They even believed some of their symbols…
