Viking Voyages and Legends

Viking Voyages and Legends

In the dying days of the eighth century, the Vikings erupted onto the international stage with brutal raids and slaughter. The medieval Norsemen may be best remembered as monk murderers and village pillagers, but this is far from the whole story. Throughout the Middle Ages, long-ships transported hairy northern voyagers far and wide, where they not only raided but also traded, explored and settled new lands, encountered unfamiliar races, and embarked on pilgrimages and crusades.


In this episode recorded at the 2022 Chalke Valley History Festival, Dr Eleanor Barraclough joins Dan to talk about all things Viking- from the old sagas that tell exotic wonder-tales of Norse life to the recent archaeological discoveries that are now challenging our understanding of these far travelling people.


You can learn more in Dr Barraclough's new book 'Beyond the Northlands: Viking Voyages and the Old Norse Sagas'.


Produced by Mariana Des Forges

Mixed and Mastered by Dougal Patmore


If you'd like to learn more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad-free podcasts and audiobooks at History Hit - subscribe today! To download the History Hit app please go to the Android or Apple store.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episoder(1491)

A history of (American) occupation in Greenland

A history of (American) occupation in Greenland

This isn't the first or even second time the U.S has made moves to procure Greenland in the last 160 years. President Donald Trump has stepped up his rhetoric, now saying that the use of US military i...

8 Jan 35min

The Rise, Fall and Rise of the Taliban

The Rise, Fall and Rise of the Taliban

The Taliban’s return to power in August 2021 shocked the world. But, it was not an abrupt collapse — it was decades in the making. Lyse Doucet has spent her career reporting from the world's war zones...

5 Jan 1h 3min

How Did Ancient Romans become Christians?

How Did Ancient Romans become Christians?

Around 50 CE, a small group of travellers began to preach that a Jewish man, crucified by the Romans, had risen from the dead. Teaching love, forgiveness and eternal life, this new faith quickly gaine...

1 Jan 40min

What was the Hanseatic League?

What was the Hanseatic League?

The Hanseatic League was a medieval trading network that stretched across Northern Europe. Formed in Northern Germany in the 12th century, it was an economic powerhouse of the age. Over the next five ...

29 Des 202529min

 How Did the British Empire Build the Modern World?

How Did the British Empire Build the Modern World?

Tobacco, sugar, rum, cotton, rubber, tea, coffee, spices, industry, borders, slavery, war - all things spread across the globe thanks to the British Empire. At its height in 1922, it was the largest e...

25 Des 202530min

King Herod

King Herod

Appointed by the Romans as king of Judaea, King Herod's reign was defined by great architectural projects and canny diplomacy. But he could also be cruel and paranoid, with scandal and family intrigue...

22 Des 202541min

A History of Christmas Food

A History of Christmas Food

Porpoises, beaver tails, boar's head and puffins were just some of the exquisite dishes on medieval tables during the festive season. In this episode, food historian Annie Gray joins Dan in his kitche...

18 Des 202531min

The Origins of the Royal Navy

The Origins of the Royal Navy

Henry VIII wanted to have the most powerful Navy in Europe; he also didn't want to have to travel very far to get it. Around 1512, he built a colossal Naval dockyard on the southern banks of the Thame...

15 Des 202542min

Populært innen Historie

rss-dette-ma-aldri-skje-igjen
henrettelsespodden
historier-som-endret-norge
rss-benadet
rss-historiske-romanser
med-egne-oyne
sektledere
rss-katastrofe
rss-nadelose-nordmenn-gestapo
aftenposten-historie
historier-som-endret-verden
rss-strid-de-norske-borgerkrigene
historiepodden
historiepodden-ww2
rss-frontkjemperne
rss-historiepodden-ww2
rss-gamle-greier
liberal-halvtime
rss-alt-var-bedre-for
undersattene