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Sharing the History of The Viking Age, one podcast at a time. We are covering the History of Scandinavia during the Viking Age. We're exploring Raiding, Trading and Settlement of Scandinavians abroad as well as the culture and society of the Norse homelands. Join us to learn more than you ever thought you wanted to know about the people, for better or worse, history knows as the Vikings.
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MOKVII - I Honor with Words of Truth that Lady
58:06
58:06
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In this episode we conclude the Mother of Kings series by exploring several stories of royal mothers in Old Norse literature. We then bring things to close, tracing Gunnhild's fall from power and her mysterious fate. For more information and a full list of sources used in this episode, check out the website: https://vikingagepodcast.com/i-honor-wit…
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Mother of Kings Supplement - Maiden Kings
46:41
46:41
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In this supplemental episode, we explore a complex and fascinating set of characters found in several Sagas - the Maiden Kings. For more information and a full list of sources used in this episode, check out our website: https://vikingagepodcast.com/maiden-kingsBy Lee Accomando
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In this episode, we follow Gunnhild konungamóðir as her sons ascend to the Norwegian throne and she finally acquires her famous title. We will then examine the significant authority which Gunnhild enjoyed at this time, as well as how Icelandic authors chose to depict her use of power. Along the way we'll discuss ambitious young Icelanders, hygienic…
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Mother of Kings V - I Lay This Curse on You
1:19:52
1:19:52
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In this episode, we return to the life and legend of Gunnhild konungamóðir, exploring her time in exile in Denmark and her son's eventual return to power in Norway. We then turn our attention to the broader topic of women, power and magic in the Sagas. Along the way we discuss goat-illusions, magical yarn and cat-skin gloves as we explore several f…
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Mother of Kings IV - A Woman of Great Dignity
1:02:25
1:02:25
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In this episode, we continue to discuss the life and legend of Gunnhild konungamóðir, tracing her path from Norway to Northern England and finally Denmark as her status was rapidly transformed from Royal to Refugee and back again. Along the way we encounter and discuss shapeshifters, scorn poles, unruly noblemen and treacherous kings. To wrap thing…
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Mother of Kings III - Cold are the Counsels of Women
1:00:06
1:00:06
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In this episode, we continue our exploration Gunnhild konungamóðir's life and legend, discussing the power of her words and the speech of powerful women throughout Old Norse Literature. Whether goading their male relatives to violence, advocating peace and accommodation, or predicting what fate held in store, women in the Sagas are frequently pictu…
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Mother of Kings II - A Woman Small of Stature yet Great of Counsel
47:42
47:42
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In this episode, we dive into the life and legend of Gunnhild konungamóðir - Mother of Kings - exploring the various stories regarding her origins and early years. Along the way there will be magic, drinking and strange happenings in the North as we meet Danish kings, Saami sorcerers, and stingy stewards. Gunnhild's tale is a lively one and I think…
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In this episode, we set off on a new mini-series exploring the life and legend of Gunnhild konungamóðir - Mother of Kings - and other powerful women in Old Norse Literature. This first installment doesn't touch too much on Gunnhild herself, but instead sets up some background information. Specifically, today we focus on the way gender is described …
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In this episode we are going to explore the rise of a major center of political, economic and religious life in the land of the Svear - the magnate's residence at Gamla Uppsala. Along the way, we'll discuss monumental burial mounds, systems of iron age land-rights and the deaths of many, many kings. I hope you enjoy. More information and a full lis…
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Eastern Way III - Catastrophe and Opportunity
1:03:00
1:03:00
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The 6th Century was a period of unrest and reorganization throughout Scandinavia. In this episode we are going to explore the evidence we have for these dynamic years and what may have caused this unrest. Ultimately, we want to discover how this era may have led to the establishment of powerful ruling dynasties like those who constructed Gamla Upps…
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In this episode we explore the mythical history of the Svear, as it is related to us by the ever-entertaining Snorri Sturluson. Along the way we discuss Divine Kings, Deadly Vats of Meads and even a Half-Giant-Magical-Oxen-Son plough-team. Believe it or not, these fantastical, fictional tales lead us to some rather more concrete evidence about life…
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In this episode we begin our exploration of the Baltic Sea region by examining two very different sources of evidence which point to early Viking activities in the Eastern Baltic. First we discuss a dramatic tale which has come down to us from the pen of everyone's favorite Icelandic author, Snorri Sturluson. This story centers around a certain Yng…
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COA16 - Snorri Sturluson, Big Farmers & the End of the Icelandic Free State
46:29
46:29
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In this episode we conclude our series on Iceland by discussing the rapid changes which shook the Icelandic political system in the 1200s. We discuss the likely causes of these changes, explore the life and times of our good friend Snorri Sturluson and examine the impact that this time period may have had for our own understanding of Icelandic hist…
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In this episode, we explore poets and poetry in the Norse world, focusing particularly on the role they played in preserving history, myth and legend. Along the way we see what happens when you eat a fish's head, unlock the meaning of confounding Skaldic verses and hear what Snorri Sturluson had to say about poets and their role in preserving histo…
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In this episode - the second of two parts - we explore the continued Christianization of Iceland in the 1100s with a particular focus on the development of literate culture and the implications of this new culture on Icelandic Society. Today, we explore how the written laws, language and history of this period worked to create the idea of the Icela…
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In this episode - the first of two parts - we explore the continued Christianization of Iceland in the 1100s with a particular focus on the development of literate culture and the implications of this new culture on Icelandic Society. If you are jonesing for more Vikings goodness, you should check out the interview I gave on the History of the Viki…
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In this episode we are going to discuss the first hundred years or so of the Christianization process in Iceland. We will discuss Chieftains, Priests, Churches and the aspirations of one particularly ambitious Icelandic family. More information and a full list of sources can be found on our website: http://vikingagepodcast.com/christianization-of-i…
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In this episode we dive headfirst into an event still which profoundly colors and shapes our understanding of the Norse world today. That's right - it's time to discuss the Conversion of the Icelanders which took place at the Althing of 999 or 1000CE. More information and a full list of sources for this episode can be found at: https://vikingagepod…
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In this episode we explore the early history of Christianity in Iceland. Along the way we talk about kings, prophets, prominent Christian settlers, and missionary methods employed in the Early Middle Ages. Finally we will introduce Thangbrand - the mildly-homicidal missionary sent to Iceland by the Norwegian King Olaf Tryggvason. This week's recomm…
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In this episode we conclude our discussion on Pagan practice in Iceland by exploring the close connections between the law and pagan beliefs. Along the way we talk about oath rings, the assemblies of the gods and a rather nasty conflict revolving around excrement. Our recommended reading for this week is Viking Law and Order by Alexandra Sanmark. I…
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I've been working away at future episodes for our Iceland series and I'm realizing that I need to start thinking about what we cover next on the podcast. To help with that choice, I want to get your input. In this not-episode episode I talk through some of the different options and it's up to you to vote for your favorite here: https://strawpoll.co…
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COA09 - Ritual and Sacrifice in Pagan Iceland
50:57
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In this episode we explore what our sources have to tell us about sacrifice and ritual in Pagan Iceland. Along the way we discuss the method and purpose of sacrifice and the how this may have impacted Icelandic society. Our recommended reading for this week is A Piece of Horse Liver by Jón Hnefill Aðalsteinsson. A collection of essays concerning My…
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In this episode we continue our exploration of Pagan Practice in Iceland by taking a look at religious roles and responsibilities held by some of the first Icelandic settlers and how these roles translated to their new home. Our recommended reading for this episode is the excellent The Viking Diaspora by Judith Jesch. This has been one of my major …
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In this episode we begin to explore Pagan practice in Iceland, focusing on the religious roles of the goðar. In this first episode we will be discussing: - The role played by the goðar in the conversion of Iceland. - A rune stone attesting to an early Danish goðar. - A remarkable cult building at Uppkåra in South Western Sweden. - The close ties be…
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COA06 - Icelandic Law and Culture II: The People of Eyri
1:06:27
1:06:27
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In this episode we continue to explore the dynamics of power, violence and law in Viking Age Iceland. We will do so by discussing many of the conflicts found in Saga of the People of Eyri. Along the way we will cover: A curious young farmer who is mauled by a mysterious spirit. Some legally questionable handshake deals. The legal and social relatio…
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