- Publisher: Robinson
- Year: 2015
- Format: Paperback
- Pages: 288pp
- Illustrated: Yes
- Dimensions: 195x128mm
- Condition: New
- Weight: 0.2kg
- ISBN: 9781845290764
- Product code: 269172
A Brief History of The Vikings
The Last Pagans or the First Modern Europeans?
Jonathan Clements New Paperback Illustrated
Postscript summary
Travelling hundreds of miles to trade and fight, the Vikings were undoubtedly great seafarers. But were they noble heathens or oafish pirates? How much do archaeological discoveries agree with what we read in the sagas? What happened to the Vikings as Christianity spread? This concise study addresses these questions by focusing on the lives of some of the most famous Vikings.
Product information
Full publisher description
'From the Fury of the Northmen deliver us, O Lord.'
Between the eighth and eleventh centuries, the Vikings surged from their Scandinavian homeland to trade, raid and invade along the coasts of Europe. Their influence and expeditions extended from Newfoundland to Baghdad, their battles were as far-flung as Africa and the Arctic. But were they great seafarers or desperate outcasts, noble heathens or oafish pirates, the last pagans or the first of the modern Europeans?
This concise study puts medieval chronicles, Norse sagas and Muslim accounts alongside more recent research into ritual magic, genetic profiling and climatology. It includes biographical sketches of some of the most famous Vikings, from Erik Bloodaxe to Saint Olaf, and King Canute to Leif the Lucky. It explains why the Danish king Harald Bluetooth lent his name to a twenty-first century wireless technology; which future saint laughed as she buried foreign ambassadors alive; why so many Icelandic settlers had Irish names; and how the last Viking colony was destroyed by English raiders.
Extending beyond the traditional 'Viking age' of most books, A Brief History of the Vikings places sudden Scandinavian population movement in a wider historical context. It presents a balanced appraisal of these infamous sea kings, explaining both their swift expansion and its supposed halt. Supposed because, ultimately, the Vikings didn't disappear: they turned into us.
Between the eighth and eleventh centuries, the Vikings surged from their Scandinavian homeland to trade, raid and invade along the coasts of Europe. Their influence and expeditions extended from Newfoundland to Baghdad, their battles were as far-flung as Africa and the Arctic. But were they great seafarers or desperate outcasts, noble heathens or oafish pirates, the last pagans or the first of the modern Europeans?
This concise study puts medieval chronicles, Norse sagas and Muslim accounts alongside more recent research into ritual magic, genetic profiling and climatology. It includes biographical sketches of some of the most famous Vikings, from Erik Bloodaxe to Saint Olaf, and King Canute to Leif the Lucky. It explains why the Danish king Harald Bluetooth lent his name to a twenty-first century wireless technology; which future saint laughed as she buried foreign ambassadors alive; why so many Icelandic settlers had Irish names; and how the last Viking colony was destroyed by English raiders.
Extending beyond the traditional 'Viking age' of most books, A Brief History of the Vikings places sudden Scandinavian population movement in a wider historical context. It presents a balanced appraisal of these infamous sea kings, explaining both their swift expansion and its supposed halt. Supposed because, ultimately, the Vikings didn't disappear: they turned into us.
Reasons to shop at Postscript
Independent bookseller
Established in 1987, we’ve been sharing reading recommendations for decades.
Books you won’t find elsewhere
Discover new authors among our frequently changing bookshelves, along with almost-forgotten gems and a wealth of unusual titles you won’t find elsewhere.
Eco-friendly packaging
Orders are carefully packed in recyclable cardboard boxes, eco-friendly bubble wrap and solvent-free labels, paper and tape.
Condition and price
All our books are new, unused and unread, and they’re all up to 75% off RRP.
FREE monthly catalogue
Featuring over 400 handpicked titles, our unique catalogue is carefully curated and includes new and unusual titles, special features and exclusive collections.
Email newsletters
Our tailored newsletters are written by our booksellers, and we always highlight the books that we have talked about most in the Postscript office.
Footnotes blog
Some books spark ideas and conversations that our catalogue can’t contain – our Footnotes blog offers a deeper dive into a wealth of topics to inspire further reading.
Aftercare
We are all serious book people and we understand the value of reading. This is why we package our books so carefully and employ a helpful in-house customer services team to promptly resolve any queries you may have.
Delivery information
UK
Free UK standard delivery on all online orders over £25
Unlimited books in one delivery charge:
- • Standard: £3.20 (3-5 working days)
- • Click & Collect: £3.20 (3-5 working days)
- • Next Day (orders must be placed before 1pm, Monday–Friday): £4.50
- • Royal Mail Tracked48: £5.50 (2-4 working days)
Highlands and Islands delivery: standard delivery only (5-7 working days)
Overseas
All orders: delivery costs for orders outside the UK are based on country of destination and product weight.
You can view your overseas delivery cost using the Summary section within the Basket.
For more information on delivery/overseas orders please refer to our Delivery Information.
product
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/269172-bho-vikings
269172
A Brief History of The Vikings
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/2/6/269172_e3894e87018ebe3654231b3a88048494.jpg
5.99
5.99
GBP
OutOfStock
/History
/Non-Fiction/Highlights
/History/Highlights/Ancient Civilizations
/History/Categories/Medieval History
/History/Highlights/British & Irish History
/History/Categories/Short Histories
/Campaigns/Page Turners
/Almost Gone/Almost Gone History
Travelling hundreds of miles to trade and fight, the Vikings were undoubtedly great seafarers. But were they noble heathens or oafish pirates? How much do archaeological discoveries agree with what we read in the sagas? What happened to the Vikings as Christianity spread? This concise study addresses these questions by focusing on the lives of some of the most famous Vikings.
Paperback
0
0
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/2/6/269172_media-1_12.jpg
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/2/6/269172_0005.jpg
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/2/6/269172_0006.jpg
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/2/6/269172_0007.jpg
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/2/6/269172_0008.jpg
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/2/6/269172_media-2.jpg
add-to-cart
rrp_info:£8.99
productId:70085
bic_code:HBJD, HBLC, JFC
HBJD, HBLC, JFC
£8.99
Jonathan Clements
General
195x128mm
Robinson
No
Paperback
European
