Nordic history and culture

02/01/2025

A team of seasoned developers and a bestselling author are behind Norse, a Viking-themed strategy game focused on authenticity and storytelling.

"Norse" is being developed by an independent studio and features the work of bestselling Viking author Giles Kristian.

01/01/2025

A Viking gravesite near Åsum, Denmark, contained over 50 skeletons and artifacts, including a woman buried in a wagon with jewelry and imported rock crystal.

The discovery could provide valuable insight into the living habits and trading patterns of Danish Vikings.

31/12/2024

In Norse mythology, Surtr leads the fire giants from Muspelheim in a final battle against the gods. His fiery presence marks both the end of the world and its rebirth.

People from Viking societies foretold the apocalyptic destruction of the world that is as memorable as it is horrific: Ragnarök. What does a sword-wielding fire giant have to do with this armageddon of annihilation?

30/12/2024

Ancient runes, modern insights – Professor Edvinsson believes the Forsa Ring, once attached to the door of Forsa Church in Sweden, holds answers about Viking Age trade systems. And it all hinges on one tiny word.

Professor Rodney Edvinsson explains how a runic inscription could provide a clue to understanding the economic systems of the Viking Age.

29/12/2024

The Black Death devastated Scandinavia in the mid-14th century, wiping out large portions of the population and leaving lasting economic and social scars. Its spread across Norway, Sweden, and Denmark reshaped the region for centuries.

For three short but devastating years in the mid-1300s, the bubonic plague wiped out around half the population of Scandinavia. The consequences would be devastating for subsequent generations.

28/12/2024

According to the Norse sagas, Garðarr Svavarsson was not only one of the first people to sail to Iceland but may indeed have been its first human inhabitant. Furthermore, he is credited with giving Iceland its nickname.

27/12/2024

At Roskilde's Viking Ship Museum, marine archeologists use a simple yet clever technique to digitally document holes in ship timber, making reconstruction more accurate.

Marine archeologist Mikkel Thomsen has been exploring new ways to help document ancient ships.

26/12/2024

Ever wanted to speak like a Viking? Here's how you can begin today!

25/12/2024

Experience a blend of tradition and festivity with ten Viking-inspired Yule customs, bringing a touch of historical charm to modern celebrations.

Discovering ways to celebrate the festive season, inspired by Viking traditions.

24/12/2024

The 700-year-old Buckland Abbey in Devon, England, explores Norse Yule traditions through historical displays during its annual winter event.

This English estate in the heart of Devon is celebrating the festive season Viking-style!

23/12/2024

Denmark today is a thriving, multicultural hub of social democracy and innovative Nordic cuisine. Yet, for some scholars, it marks the place where the Viking story began.

Denmark nowadays is a thriving, multicultural beacon of social democracy and cutting-edge Nordic culinary delights. However, for some scholars, Denmark was the location where the story of the Vikings began.

22/12/2024

The idea that Baffin Island was frequented by the Vikings is shrouded in doubt, mystery, and a certain degree of controversy.

21/12/2024

The Vikings didn’t celebrate New Year's Eve, but their winter traditions carried a weight and meaning that still resonates today.

The Viking Herald explores the winter festive traditions of the Viking Age and the Norse origins of Hogmanay.

20/12/2024

When they weren’t sailing the seas, Vikings were testing their luck and strategy with dice and board games.

Forget the bright lights and plastic fun of Las Vegas – we'll take you back to the early medieval period when people from Viking societies really knew how to gamble.

19/12/2024

The Viking Herald takes a detailed look at the ten most important Viking Age archeological discoveries acknowledged in 2024.

From Dutch-based sword accessories and Icelandic toys to ancient runes and rustic cabins, The Viking Herald takes a look at the most exciting finds of the year.

18/12/2024

Viking ships weren't just tools of war – they were trade powerhouses, sailing oceans and rivers to tie Scandinavia to distant markets.

More than mere vessels of war, these sleek ships were the unsung heroes underpinning much of the trade in early medieval Europe.

17/12/2024

Set in the early 11th century, Vinland Saga explores the Viking expansion during the reigns of Sweyn Forkbeard and Canute the Great.

The beloved manga series has been adapted into an animated show and is now available on streaming platforms. We explore how a seemingly bizarre combination of Japanese manga and the rich tapestry of Norse sagas creates the perfect introduction to Viking history.

16/12/2024

According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Harthacnut "did nothing worthy of a king as long as he ruled." Is this scathing analysis of the last Danish monarch who sat on the English throne justified, or is there more to the story of Harthacnut than this Anglo-Saxon propaganda?

Living in your famous parent's shadow is hard, especially if you are an early medieval king of both Denmark and England. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Harthacnut "did nothing worthy of a king as long as he ruled."