The Norsemen in the Viking Age (Peoples of Europe)

This history of the Nordic peoples in the period 750-1050 focuses on their homelands and colonies, demonstrating the fluidity and incoherence of the world in which they lived. Considers the Nordic peoples in Viking times without undue recourse to developmental theories. Guides readers through some of the scholarly controversies surrounding these peoples. Illustrated by reference to runic, poetic and archaeological evidence. Histories Of The Vikings Have Recently Tended To Emphasize Political Or Social Transitions. Eric Christiansen Separates The Nordic Peoples From The Organizing Principles Which Others Have Used And Attempts To Describe Life In Their Homelands And Colonies In Terms Of More, Or Less, Ingenious Responses To Hostile Environments At Home And Overseas. Guiding Readers Past Some Traditional And Current Controversies Surrounding The Norsemen In The Period 750-1050, The Author Discusses Twelve Key Topics. After A Survey Of The Ecology, Social Conventions And Self-awareness Of Individuals And Groups, He Moves On To Cover The Major Areas Of Norse Activity: Politics, War, Work And Migration. The Final Chapters Reconstruct Viking-age Ideas About The Past, Present And Future In Order To Offer Insight Into Contemporary Behaviour. Runic, Poetic And Archaeological Evidence Is Used To Illustrate The Author's Arguments. Appendixes Outline Modern Research And Dynastic Identities.--jacket. Introduction: Vikings Their Age The Aim -- Individuals -- Families -- Communities -- Districts And Territories -- Peoples -- Politics -- War -- Work -- Emigration -- Past -- Present -- Future -- Modern Research -- Dynastic Identities -- Thegns. Eric Christiansen. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This series is about the European tribes and peoples from their origins in prehistory to the present day. Drawing upon a wide range of archaeological and historical evidence, each volume presents a fresh and absorbing account of a group's culture, society and usually turbulent history. Histories of the vikings have recently tended to emphasize political or social transitions. Eric Christiansen separates the Nordic peoples from the organizing principles which others have used and attempts to describe life in their homelands and colonies in terms of more, or less, ingenious responses to hostile environments at home and overseas.Guiding readers past some traditional and current controversies surrounding the Norsemen in the period 750-1050, the author discusses twelve key topics. After a survey of the ecology, social conventions and self-awareness of individuals and groups, he moves on to cover the major areas of Norse activity: politics, war, work and migration. The final chapters reconstruct viking-age ideas about the past, present and future in order to offer insight into contemporary behaviour. Runic, poetic and archaeological evidence is used to illustrate the author's arguments. Appendixes outline modern research and dynastic identities. "Histories of the vikings have recently tended to emphasize political or social transitions. Eric Christiansen separates the Nordic peoples from the organizing principles which others have used and attempts to describe life in their homelands and colonies in terms of more, or less, ingenious responses to hostile environments at home and overseas.". "Guiding readers past some traditional and current controversies surrounding the Norsemen in the period 750-1050, the author discusses twelve key topics. After a survey of the ecology, social conventions and self-awareness of individuals and groups, he moves on to cover the major areas of Norse activity: politics, war, work and migration. The final chapters reconstruct viking-age ideas about the past, present and future in order to offer insight into contemporary behaviour.". "Runic, poetic and archaeological evidence is used to illustrate the author's arguments. Appendixes outline modern research and dynastic identities."--BOOK JACKET. The verses are attributed to the future king Harald Hardrada, slinking from Norway after the defeat and death of his brother Olaf (St Olave) in 1030.