Viking Britain: A History

A new narrative history of the Viking Age explores the physical remains and landscapes that the Vikings fashioned and walked, revealing that they came not just to raid and plunder but to settle, colonize, and rule. This book uses new academic research and first-hand experience to evoke a forgotten world, its echoes in later history, and its implications for the present.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 416 pages
\n Publication date: 09 August 2018
\n Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
\n

A fresh narrative history of the Viking Age, intricately woven with an exploration of the physical remnants and landscapes that the Vikings shaped and traversed: their rune stones and ship burials, settlements, and battlefields.

To many, the word 'Viking' conjures up images of red scenes of rape and pillage, of marauders from beyond the sea rampaging around the British coastline in the last gloomy centuries before the Norman Conquest. It is true that Britain in the Viking Age was a turbulent, violent place. The kings and warlords who have etched their memories on the period revel in names that evoke a sense of bloodlust and stir the imagination: Svein Forkbeard and Edmund Ironside, Ivar the Boneless and Alfred the Great, Erik Bloodaxe and Edgar the Pacifier, among many others. Evidence for their brutality, dominance, avarice, and pride is still unearthed from British soil with stunning regularity.

But this is not the whole story. In Viking Britain, Thomas Williams has drawn on his experience as project curator of the British Museum exhibition of Vikings: Life and Legend to demonstrate how the people we call Vikings came not just to raid and plunder, but to settle, to colonize, and to rule. The impact on these islands was profound and enduring, shaping British social, cultural, and political development for hundreds of years. Indeed, in language, literature, place-names, and folklore, the presence of Scandinavian settlers can still be felt, and their memory, filtered and refashioned through the writings of people like J.R.R. Tolkien, William Morris, and G.K. Chesterton, has transformed the Western imagination.

This remarkable book makes use of new academic research and firsthand experience, drawing deeply from the relics and landscapes that the Vikings and their contemporaries fashioned and traversed. It sheds light on the complex and multifaceted nature of the Viking Age, challenging preconceived notions and revealing a rich tapestry of culture, society. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Williams paints a vivid picture of the lives of the Vikings, their communities, and their interactions with the people they encountered. He explores the impact of the Viking Age on Britain, from the establishment of new settlements to the influence on language, literature, and art.

The book also delves into the legacy of the Vikings, examining how their presence has been commemorated and celebrated throughout history. It explores the enduring fascination with Viking culture, from the popular TV series 'Vikings' to the ongoing scholarly interest in their history and culture. Williams also raises important questions about the ethical implications of our fascination with the Vikings, particularly in light of their brutal practices and the impact they had on indigenous communities.

In conclusion, Viking Britain is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh perspective on the Viking Age. It challenges the traditional narratives and sheds light on the complex and multifaceted nature of this fascinating period. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Williams paints a vivid picture of the lives of the Vikings, their communities, and their interactions with the people they encountered. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in history, culture, and the enduring impact of the Vikings on the world.

\n Weight: 332g\n
Dimension: 194 x 124 x 28 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780008171957\n \n