Viking Age History

Dive into the epic saga of the Vikings, the fierce and fearless seafarers from the North who forever changed the course of history. This comprehensive two-book collection, *The History of the Vikings*, chronicles the incredible journey of the Norsemen as they emerged from their Scandinavian homelands to leave an indelible mark on the world.

They’re widely known as raiders, pirates, invaders, and savages, but despite their fearsome reputation (or perhaps because of it), Vikings continue to fascinate us today. And it’s not hard to see why. They were brave, rebellious, and fierce fighters—plus, based on Hollywood’s portrayals, they were quite good-looking. While media highlights their violence and toughness, there’s more to the Viking culture than just conquering lands. The Vikings were not just warriors but also traders, explorers, and lawmakers....

Harald Sigurdsson burst into history as a teenaged youth in a Viking battle from which he escaped with little more than his life and a thirst for vengeance. But from these humble origins, he became one of Norway’s most legendary kings. The Last Viking is a fast-moving narrative account of the life of King Harald Hardrada, as he journeyed across the medieval world, from the frozen wastelands of the North to the glittering towers of Byzantium and the passions of the Holy Land, until his warrior death on the battlefield in England.

Ragnar Lothbrok was a legendary warrior who left a legacy among the Vikings like none other. Today's popular TV show may have popularized Ragnar's story, but the real facts are not very well known. Discover the truth behind this Viking warrior and the rich history of the Vikings.

In this audiobook, you’ll discover what life was really like for the Vikings during their golden age. Learn about the most significant Vikings and raids, and find out more about their daily lives and the things that were most important to them. You’ll also explore their folklore and hear of monsters, gods, goddesses, and the epic adventures they went on.

This audiobook will provide you with details about the time period in which the Vikings reigned. Learn how the Scandinavian people lived, who sailed as part of the Viking raids, the weapons they used in battle, and their religious beliefs.

The Vikings maintain their grip on our imagination, but their image is too often distorted by medieval and modern myth. It is true that they pillaged, looted, and enslaved. But they also settled peacefully and developed a vast trading network. They traveled far from their homelands in swift and sturdy ships, not only to raid, but also to explore. Despite their fearsome reputation, the Vikings didn’t wear horned helmets, and even the infamous berserkers were far from invincible.

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?

Two manuscripts in one audiobook: The Viking Age for Kids: A Captivating Guide to the Vikings, Their Raids, and Everyday Life and Anglo-Saxons for Kids: A Captivating Guide to the People of Early Medieval England and Their Battles Against the Vikings.

In 871, three of England’s four kingdoms were overrun by Vikings, the ruthless, all-conquering Scandinavian raiders who terrorized early medieval Europe. With the Norsemen murdering one king with arrows and torturing another to death by ripping out his lungs, the prospects that faced the kingdom of Wessex were bleak. Worse still, the Saxons were now led by a young man barely out of his teens who was more interested in God than fighting.

From the late eighth century to somewhere around the middle of the 11th century, the history of Europe was dominated by the people who have become known as the Vikings. The Vikings were among the first global explorers who established territory that stretched from North America in the west to Constantinople in the east, and from the frigid wastes of the Arctic in the north to the warm shores of the Mediterranean Sea in the south.

In 700 AD, a tribe of warriors left their homeland and struck out for glory and conquest. They came to take no prisoners. Their eerie horns made a distinctive sound, and their fearsome longboats struck from out of nowhere. The Vikings, their history and mythology fascinates many because it speaks to something within us: The fight to succeed and to grow stronger. Make no mistake, these were not nice people, but much of their legacy was not just about pillaging and destruction. Join us on a rampage through their history, culture, myths, and more!

In contrast to their Danish and Norwegian cousins, Swedish Vikings traveled east rather than west in search of riches, land, and power. The extensive river systems of Russia provided economic and military “superhighways” to the adventurers from the north who journeyed down them all the way to the Black Sea and Constantinople in search of fame and riches. In Captivating History’s History of Sweden, you will learn more about these Swedish adventurers along with other parts of Sweden’s fascinating history.

Using a wide variety of source materials, including archaeology, runes, Icelandic sagas, early law, place names, personal names, and not least etymological and semantic analyses of the terminology of slaves, Thraldom provides the most comprehensive survey of slavery in the Viking Age.

It is true that the Vikings were, without a doubt, brutal men living in a brutal age. They did use their skills as warriors to relentlessly attack Europe and the British Isles to increase their wealth and territory, but that is not all the Vikings were, and their contribution to world history is far more than warmongering. In this captivating history audiobook, you'll not only learn about heroic warriors in battle but you'll also discover the remarkable achievements made by the Vikings.

Iceland, the land of fire and ice, has a storied history. After the Norse discovered Iceland, they began to settle it, allying the island nation with Norway. However, as power shifted in Scandinavia, Iceland would come to be governed by Denmark for several centuries.

The Viking Age! A brief footprint in the course of history that impacted generations hundreds of years into the future. You will dive into the depths of Scandinavia to find out what made the Vikings the most feared group of people in the European Middle Ages. Experts at warfare and navigating the high seas, the Vikings were on a mission and would not let anyone stand in their way! Brutal conquerors they were, but the Vikings were no mere savages. The Vikings had a unique culture and society that spread much influence through transcontinental trade and exploration into unknown worlds.

Embark on a gripping journey back in time with Vikings in England, a riveting narrative that brings the saga of Norse warriors on English soil to life. This meticulously researched guide delves into the heart of the Middle Ages, revealing the profound impact of Viking raiders and settlers on the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England. You’re invited to explore the fascinating dynamics of conquest, resilience, and coexistence that defined this epoch.

As the name suggests, the legendary sagas are works of fiction. It is in these sagas that we meet all manners of fantastic creatures, hear of the exploits of heroes and villains, and occasionally see the gods peek in to steer events or punish evildoers. The sagas of Icelanders, by contrast, are largely historical works that tell the stories of the families who left continental Scandinavian lands to settle Iceland beginning in the late ninth century.

History books often portray the Vikings as ruthless souls who took no prisoners. However, that’s only a part of their story. This book goes beyond the dragon ships - beyond the beards and monstrous frames. It’s time to set the record straight - and have some fun en route!