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Overview
Viking Empires is a definitive new history of five hundred years of Viking civilization and the first study of the global implications of the expansion, integration, and reorientation of the Viking World. From the first contact in the 790s, the book traces the political, military, social, cultural and religious history of the Viking Age from Iceland to Lithuania. The authors show that it is no longer possible to understand the history of the Norman Conquest, the successes of David I of Scotland, or German settlement in Poland, Prussia and the Baltic States without integrating the internal history of Scandinavia. The book concludes with a new account of the end of the Viking era, arguing that there was no sudden decline but only the gradual absorption of the Scandinavian kingdoms into the larger project of the crusades and a refocusing of imperial ambitions on the Baltic States and Eastern Europe. The authors, experts in Scottish history, medieval studies, and law, have taught a course on Viking history to undergraduates at the University of Aberdeen for a number of years.Synopsis
Viking Empires is a definitive new history of five hundred years of Viking civilization and the first study of the global implications of the expansion, integration, and reorientation of the Viking World. From the first contact in the 790's, the book traces the political, military, social, cultural and religious history of the Viking Age from Iceland to Lithuania. The authors show that it is no longer possible to understand the history of the Norman Conquest, the successes of David I of Scotland, or German settlement in Poland, Prussia and the Baltic States without integrating the internal history of Scandinavia. The book concludes with a new account of the end of the Viking era, arguing that there was no sudden decline but only the gradual absorption of the Scandinavian kingdoms into the larger project of the crusades and a refocusing of imperial ambitions on the Baltic States and Eastern Europe.
Editorials
From the Publisher
“…the authors have penned a concise narrative on Viking Age Iceland, with the most intelligent discussion available on the Gael-Gadhill—apostate Celts who allied with the Norse invaders and gave their name to later Galway. Maps and illustrations are excellent. Highly recommended.”-Choice
"The chapters discussing maritime skills of the Vikings--brilliant historical narrative--combine documentary sources such as sagas with archaeology and historical reconstructions of Viking ships to show how these early mariners could sail the harsh seas of the North Atlantic (even braving such horrors as occasional rogue waves). The description of the construction of the keelson, designed to keep the mast in place in Viking ships, and of the rigging of Viking ships is also particularly evocative material. This book will be wecomed by Viking specialists and medievalists and will be bot huseful and interesting for general readers."
-William E. Watson, Immaculata University
"The book is lavishly illustrated with photographs and maps. For studies of navigation, shipbuilding, and Scandinavian history after the eleventh century, Viking Empires is a useful book."
-Benjamin Hudson, Pennsylvania State University, Journal of Medieval Studies