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I am super fascinated with "norse" history, specifically the parts we don't talk about much. To me "viking" is only a period of heightened threat against christ

I am super fascinated with "norse" history, specifically the parts we don't talk about much. To me "viking" is only a period of heightened threat against christianity, but the northern european region had been a threat to the roman empire. The east coast of England was dotted with roman forts, defended by fast moving Dalmatian cavalry against raids from the north sea. As soon as the romans left we see an invasion of people from Denmark and northern Germany. So the word viking, and the period 800 to 1066, show a very limited view of the northern european history.

leyth 2y ago
I am fascinated by them as well. Let me know if you know any of interesting documentaries out there.
- yareally 2y ago
  Coincidentally, I was watching this BBC documentary on the dark ages tonight and the last episode is about Viking art and culture in the dark ages. Entire series is worth a watch if you can find it. https://docuwiki.net/index.php?title=The_Dark_Ages:_An_Age_of_Light https://docuwiki.net/index.php?title=The_Dark_Ages:_An_Age_o...
  - INTPenis 2y ago
    It's on youtube too, great show.
  - louky 2y ago
    Ah, presented by Waldemar Januszczak. He's produced quite a few great videos and series.
- bbkane 2y ago
  Not a video, but I was enthralled by https://www.dancarlin.com/product/hardcore-history-69-twilight-of-the-aesir/ https://www.dancarlin.com/product/hardcore-history-69-twilig... .
- astrobe_ 2y ago
  William the conqueror [1] is a direct descendant of a viking, Rollo, who made a deal with the king of France: territory in exchange for protection against the other vikings. The name of this territory is relatively well-known for other historical reasons: Normandy. The conquest of England by William "the conqueror", duke of Normandy, is why the English language has a significant number of French origin. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_the_conqueror https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_the_conqueror
Quothling 2y ago
> So the word viking, and the period 800 to 1066, show a very limited view of the northern European history. I'm Danish and I think that it's cool that you like our history, but I would encourage you to be a little more inclusive as far as the word "Viking" goes. As I understand it the word has an origin in what the people around "Viken" called them selves in the period. This is the area around the Oslo fjord and Skagerrak, and it's actually a lot less "sexy" when you know that the word "vig/vik" means "bay". Anyway in Denmark, Norway and Sweden (and possibly more Scandinavian countries) we actually call the period vikingetiden (The Viking Age). I know that a lot of the popular culture (and even academic) focus on the age is on the BERSERKERGANG parts. Probably not too surprising considering ordinary life was really rather mundane, with around 95% of populations in Denmark/Norway/Sweden being regular iron age farmers. I don't think this should discourage you from using the word "viking", however, I don't know any Scandinavians who would think less of you at least. What we dislike is the cultural appropriation by far right fools. Which has gotten so bad, even here, that I sort of need to wear a giant rainbow hat to signal that I'm "safe" to be around if there is a pride or whatever going on in my town because I look sort of evil to some people. I'd probably describe me as a biker dadbod + beard and tattoos. > The east coast of England was dotted with roman forts, defended by fast moving Dalmatian cavalry against raids from the north sea. As soon as the romans left we see an invasion of people from Denmark and northern Germany. This part is especially interesting to me personally. Maybe not so much what happened in England, but the consequences of the Romans leaving France with France subsequently getting rather serious about "being good at civilization". Which meant that they attacked as far as into Danish Sønderjylland, pushing the northern germanic and scandinavian people toward expansion elsewhere. Which is what lead to we now know as the "viking routes" Anyway, don't let certain representations of "viking culture" (whatever they may be) discourage you from using the word "viking".
- porbelm 2y ago
  The appropriation of the Scandinavian norrøn viking lore by the extreme right/nazi-adjacent/nazi groups is so annoying. I'm from around Tønsberg (look it up) and we have a lot of people with a healthy, normal interest in the old medieval stuff. We also have a lot of people that use it for their nazi feelgood shit. Problem is, you can't tell 'em apart unless you can see their other, less visible tattoos :(

leyth 2y ago

I am fascinated by them as well. Let me know if you know any of interesting documentaries out there.

yareally 2y ago
Coincidentally, I was watching this BBC documentary on the dark ages tonight and the last episode is about Viking art and culture in the dark ages. Entire series is worth a watch if you can find it. https://docuwiki.net/index.php?title=The_Dark_Ages:_An_Age_of_Light https://docuwiki.net/index.php?title=The_Dark_Ages:_An_Age_o...
- INTPenis 2y ago
  It's on youtube too, great show.
- louky 2y ago
  Ah, presented by Waldemar Januszczak. He's produced quite a few great videos and series.
bbkane 2y ago
Not a video, but I was enthralled by https://www.dancarlin.com/product/hardcore-history-69-twilight-of-the-aesir/ https://www.dancarlin.com/product/hardcore-history-69-twilig... .
astrobe_ 2y ago
William the conqueror [1] is a direct descendant of a viking, Rollo, who made a deal with the king of France: territory in exchange for protection against the other vikings. The name of this territory is relatively well-known for other historical reasons: Normandy. The conquest of England by William "the conqueror", duke of Normandy, is why the English language has a significant number of French origin. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_the_conqueror https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_the_conqueror

Quothling 2y ago

> So the word viking, and the period 800 to 1066, show a very limited view of the northern European history. I'm Danish and I think that it's cool that you like our history, but I would encourage you to be a little more inclusive as far as the word "Viking" goes. As I understand it the word has an origin in what the people around "Viken" called them selves in the period. This is the area around the Oslo fjord and Skagerrak, and it's actually a lot less "sexy" when you know that the word "vig/vik" means "bay". Anyway in Denmark, Norway and Sweden (and possibly more Scandinavian countries) we actually call the period vikingetiden (The Viking Age). I know that a lot of the popular culture (and even academic) focus on the age is on the BERSERKERGANG parts. Probably not too surprising considering ordinary life was really rather mundane, with around 95% of populations in Denmark/Norway/Sweden being regular iron age farmers. I don't think this should discourage you from using the word "viking", however, I don't know any Scandinavians who would think less of you at least. What we dislike is the cultural appropriation by far right fools. Which has gotten so bad, even here, that I sort of need to wear a giant rainbow hat to signal that I'm "safe" to be around if there is a pride or whatever going on in my town because I look sort of evil to some people. I'd probably describe me as a biker dadbod + beard and tattoos. > The east coast of England was dotted with roman forts, defended by fast moving Dalmatian cavalry against raids from the north sea. As soon as the romans left we see an invasion of people from Denmark and northern Germany. This part is especially interesting to me personally. Maybe not so much what happened in England, but the consequences of the Romans leaving France with France subsequently getting rather serious about "being good at civilization". Which meant that they attacked as far as into Danish Sønderjylland, pushing the northern germanic and scandinavian people toward expansion elsewhere. Which is what lead to we now know as the "viking routes" Anyway, don't let certain representations of "viking culture" (whatever they may be) discourage you from using the word "viking".

porbelm 2y ago
The appropriation of the Scandinavian norrøn viking lore by the extreme right/nazi-adjacent/nazi groups is so annoying. I'm from around Tønsberg (look it up) and we have a lot of people with a healthy, normal interest in the old medieval stuff. We also have a lot of people that use it for their nazi feelgood shit. Problem is, you can't tell 'em apart unless you can see their other, less visible tattoos :(