180 replies to this topic

[?sir]

Here's an interesting article on Viking immigration and assimilation. "We're just peaceful traders and settlers."

http://www.admin.cam...s/dp/2009031301

This is not news. It baffles me how little folk know about the vikings and yet every other boob and dimwit proclaims themselves experts on the subject even though they seem to still be stuck in the 17th century.

To those of you to whom this is news that not every one of the approximately seven percent of the population that was considered vikings raided 24/7 but were also merchants, explorers and settlers, read carefully. Then when you're done go to the library and bookshops and rake them clean of every paper with the word viking on it. Read it all. Your world will be forever changed.

EDIT: Thanks for linking the article though, Ironhand. It might serve to wake some people up and encourage them to educate themselves.

Edited by ?sir, 03 April 2009 - 08:38 PM.

[deuce]

Interesting article about the early settlement of Iceland....

http://www.archaeolo...ts/iceland.html

[timeless]

Very interesting, Deuce.

And a great site. I've been visiting it periodically for perhaps four years now (I should just get a prescription.)

[Ironhand]

Evidently played by Norsemen and Celts for centuries.

http://www.vikingkubbgame.com/feed/

[?sir]

Can't see your link, but if it's the same "Kubb" as we play during bbq evenings in the summer here in Sweden I'm sorry to disappoint you but it's only a few years old and have nothing what-so-ever to do with the Iron Age. If you're interested in playing a something closer to a real viking-game you should pick up the rules for Knattleikir (or better yet, try to reconstruct them yourself). My personal, well-founded, theory is that it's similar to Bandy. It's played on ice, with skates. You have sticks, that are bent in the end and you strike a ball. Little is known about the game and many attempts have been made at reconstructing it based on sagas among other things.

EDIT: I can see it now. It's the same game. Make no mistake. Kubb is a nice game for a sunny day on the lawn. Fire up the bbq. Have a beer. But I have yet to see any evidence of it hailing from the "viking era".

Edited by ?sir, 13 November 2009 - 08:55 PM.

[deuce]

Cool book on Viking combat/battle stuff:



http://www.quidplura.com/?p=320

[timeless]

http://ty.rannosaur....badass-vikings/

[Kortoso]

Cool book on Viking combat/battle stuff:
http://www.quidplura.com/?p=320

Here's the main site:
http://www.hurstwic....d_technique.htm

[Kortoso]

http://ty.rannosaur....badass-vikings/

Only 7?

[Landsknecht]

I have a quest for a particular viking-age piece of artwork that you all just might be able to help find.

I am looking for two or more vikings "holding hands." Possibly several holding hands in a line or knot-work style depiction. I have seen such carvings in the past when I did not need them and now cannot find any.

Does anyone have pictures of tangled vikings that you can post here?

[Kortoso]

The Vendel, Sutton Hoo and Valsgarde helmets have a lot of such detail, but they are pre-Viking.

[deuce]

Intriguing "Viking-style" band: http://stormofthenor...g-krauka-odinn/

[Kortoso]

Krauka is great! They may belong in "What Would Conan Listen To?" but they are so authentic (as far as I can tell) they belong with the archaeology.

http://www.krauka.dk/main/

[PaulMc]

Viking remains in London;

http://www.cnn.com/2...dex.html?hpt=T2

[Ironhand]

Archeologists discover Harald Bluetooth's royal palace:

http://www.cphpost.d...yal-palace.html

I didn't know Leif Ericsson had wireless.

[Ironhand]

They've found a Saxon boat in Norfolk, England:

http://www.bbc.co.uk...orfolk-11187207

I hope we see more info on this, given time.

[krommtaar]

Krauka is great! They may belong in "What Would Conan Listen To?" but they are so authentic (as far as I can tell) they belong with the archaeology.

http://www.krauka.dk/main/

Good melodies! The funky electric guitar thing gives it a bit a modern folky sound & world music aspect (either you go metal, or 100% trad, I'm not "in between", matter of taste ), their other pieces I listened to on the link you provided sound good, after all it's not the end of the world. There is an increasing number of similar bands nowadays, even if we don't hear about them .

Still, I prefer the authenticity ( and here it doesn't sound the least like modern folk ! ) of bards like Harald Foss:
All medieval traditional instruments he and his friends recreated ( nordic lyra, etc ) , no blues, no modern drums, no synths etc
Harald Foss says they play exclusively old traditional songs.

Honestly, most trendy new age synth-driven groups with pompous female lyrics pale in comparison to authentic bands such as this one.

Harald Foss - Havferd

Harald Foss - Holmen gr?

the following two sound almost celtic, or at least present similarities, great melodies.
Harald Foss - Stanford bru

Harald Foss - Hildinakvadet

Joyous & hearty tunes
Harald Foss - Markedsliv
Harald Foss - Sigmundskvedi (this one is quite famous)

[krommtaar]

Due to forum posting restrictions, here are the other favorite pieces of Harald Foss that I selected :

Go on the youtube channel where all the previous pieces , and look for:
" Vindharpen " (this piece is really worth it)
"Håkon den gode" (this one as well)
" gjoglerdansen"


Tell me what you think about this!

Edited by krommtaar, 06 September 2010 - 05:11 PM.

[Ironhand]

Viking fortress uncovered in Ireland.

http://www.irishtime...4279093813.html

[Ironhand]

Lewis Chessmen

The chessmen found on the Isle of Lewis sometime in the 19C are among the earliest found in western Europe and has many connections with the north. They are carved from walrus tusk and are amusing and well designed. They are the first known set to include bishops instead of elephants as the game came to the Europeans from the Mideast.
http://www.flickr.co...olo/5130374911/