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The mystery of the Viking graffiti in the Hagia Sophia
One of the most famous churches, mosques, and museums all in one, the Hagia Sophia, has runic graffiti from the era when Vikings walked the streets of Constantinople. How and why it got there is a mystery that has only recently been unlocked.1 month ago -
Who was Harald Greycloak, the destroyer of pagan temples in Norway?
Norway is like so many other European countries in that its early medieval history is cloaked in a shroud of historical mystery, guesswork, and legend. No more is this evident than with the history of the once King of Norway, Harald Greycloak.1 month ago -
Who was Cnut the Great, ruler of the North Sea Empire?
Ruler of England, Denmark, and eventually Norway, but not of the waves that lapped at his feet.1 month ago -
The tale of Audbjörn Frøybjørnsson, the Viking ruler upon whose death a giant ship was set aflame
For a man traditionally said to have been one of the most powerful petty kings in an era of political insecurity, Audbjörn Frøybjørnsson's life and death were full of high drama and excitement. What does his death tell us about the Viking Age?1 month ago -
The most famous Viking hoard discoveries in history
Were Viking history's greatest hoarders? In recent years, archaeologists have unearthed many caches of Viking-era buried loot, plunder, and treasure.1 month ago -
What you need to know about Halfdan Ragnarsson and the Viking invasions of the British Isles
While academics may agree that the "Great Heathen Army" was never one single army, the Viking invasions of the British Isles from the mid-9th century CE remain one of the most consequential eras in British history.1 month ago -
How did Swedish Viking King Björn Ironside die?
Björn Ironside, the son of Ragnar Lothbrok, was a skilled military strategist and legendary Viking king. This is the story of his demise.2 months ago -
Did you know that chess was introduced to Norway in the late Viking Age?
For a country that spends almost half the year in seemingly bitter cold and darkness, it should be no surprise that indoor intellectual hobbies, like the game of chess, excel in Norway.2 months ago
