When we think of Vikings you might get an image of a fierce warrior running at you with a huge battle ax and screaming at the top of his lungs. Vikings were known for their warrior culture and fierce fighting styles. Like many other military units, the Vikings had an elite group of warriors that […]
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Mimir is an obscure figure from Norse mythology, more ancient than Odin himself. His name in Old Norse meant The Rememberer. Mimir guarded the Well of Wisdom that lay between the roots of the World Tree, which made up the center of their universe. Yggdrasil, also called the World Tree, is an ancient ash tree
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She was beautiful and a warrior. Many thought she was too good to be true. Was Lagertha real? Lagertha is one of the most popular characters in Scandinavian legend. She was not a real person and she was thought to be inspired by the Amazons in Greek mythology. However, her story still made a massive
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Seen as a key villain in Norse mythology, the Jörmungandr was a large sea serpent resembling a worm. The Jörmungandr, also known in history as the Midgard Serpent or World Serpent, was the arch nemesis of Thor, the god of thunder. The Birth of the Jörmungandr The universe of Norse mythology had nine realms. These
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Uhtred of Bebbanburg is a significant figure from the Anglo-Saxon period. After his death, a blood feud began which lasted for generations. Uhtred ruled Bamburgh as the ealdorman (a chief officer of a district during Anglo-Saxon England) of Northumbria from 1006 to 1016. But is he a real hero like the television series The Last
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Rollo was a Viking leader who settled Normandy. He set the stage for the merging of Viking and Frankish cultures. As the great-great-great-grandfather of William the Conqueror, Rollo’s legacy includes far more than raiding and pillaging. He established a royal bloodline that, centuries later, would create a bitter rivalry between Britain and France that would
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For centuries, the name Ragnar Lodbrok struck fear into the hearts of people across Europe. The name conjures images of fearsome Viking warriors, their longships cutting through the waves as they set out to conquer new lands. Ragnar was more than just a warrior, however; he was a figure of legendary proportions. One whose story
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With a legacy of fierce battles, legendary expeditions, and a powerful lineage, Bjorn Ironside is easily one of the most captivating figures of the Viking Age. As the son of the great Viking king Ragnar Lothbrok, Bjorn was destined for greatness from birth. But it was his skill, courage, and cunning that made him a
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Vikings are often depicted as brutal warriors, striking fear into the hearts of all who dare stand in their way. Many impressive figures illuminate the pages of their rich history. Amongst them, Ivar the Boneless, a legendary figure in Viking lore, was a warrior of especially unmatched ferocity and cunning. His name alone conjures images
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Vikings have captured imaginations for centuries. Irish monks trembled at their sight, Early Russians fought them for Baltic water rights, and Byzantine Emperors hired their descendants as bodyguards. While much has been written about them from various contemporary and more recent sources, the Vikings themselves left few records. As a result, most of what is
The history of Viking tattoos: fact or fiction? Read More »
