Information on Vikings

[Selifator]

Hi, I'm going to write a novel on Vikings in November and I need information on them. I've looked around myself but I'd like to have some input from other people on which books to read and which sites to visit.
I need information on all parts of society and culture, warfare and economics, religion and whatnot.
Thanks in advance!

[Ishoss]

They traded. A lot. For example there are Buddha-statues found in Scandinavia. (I think it was at Birka)

[Salem1]

They traded. A lot. For example there are Buddha-statues found in Scandinavia. (I think it was at Birka)

This varies. In a simple order, the trade inclination among Vikings goes something like this from most to least:

- Swedes. Went mostly but not only to eastern Europe & beyond to trade, didn't found any lasting territories like the Danelaw or Normandy. Co-owners of the Varangian-Byzantine trade route. They plundered and raided as well, but not to the same extent as the Danes and Norwegians - they were more interested in trade. The Varangian Guard was formed mostly but not only of Swedes. The first ruler and founder of Kievan Rus was a man from Roslagen (hence the name ''Rus''), but the Swedes didn't leave nearly as much of a lasting mark on the areas they went to as the Danes and Norwegians did: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...8/Roslagen.PNG

- Norwegians. They controlled the an extensive trade network from Ireland, the Isle of Man, Orkney etc. back to Scandinavia, through Swedish-controlled routes forth to Byzantium and beyond. They founded Dublin and married quite liberally with the Irishmen, but never really controlled any large territories like the Danes did. Notably, the invasion of Harald Hardrada was the last major Viking incursion into England.

- Danes. They conquered the Danelaw and I think that they ''conquered'' Normandy as well. They were the least trade-inclined and the most aggressive, Norwegians and Swedes already controlled most of the trade and Danes pretty much went westwards so competing with the Swedes was out of the question, instead there was competition between Denmark and Norway. They are the most talked about Vikings whether knowingly or unknowingly as they were the ones that invaded England the most.

[Ishoss]

"While some Vikings were establishing themselves in Britain and Ireland, another group did the same in the coastal region of France, around the mouth of the river Seine. In effect, the Vikings in this region allowed themselves to be bought off by the king of France. These Vikings had quite a bit of leverage. Beginning in 896 they had sailed up the Seine and laid siege to Paris several times and were constantly expanding the area they pillaged. The French kings, even Charlemagne, were unable to stop the plundering. When the French noted the increasing number of Viking settlements along the coast, they feared the worst. But the Vikings were wearying of the raids. French defenses were becoming more effective and Viking losses were increasing. So a deal was struck in 912. The French would recognize the Vikings possession of the land they had already settled (plus a bit more) and make the Viking leader, one Rollo, a French noble. In return, the Viking duke would convert to Christianity, acknowledge the French king as his overlord and, protect France against wilder Vikings. Thus was born Normandy.

The Normans were quick to become French, particularly since they were a minority in their new dutchy and a disproportionate number of the new people were young male Vikings who took local women for wives. After a few generations, the Norwegian language and customs were fading fast and the Normans were French. But they were French with a difference. While their language and other habits may have changed, the Normans were still, like all Vikings, supreme opportunists. Then William, the duke of Normandy in the 1060s, talked his way into a claim on the English throne. The king of Norway was doing the same thing. An English noble, Harold, also thought he had a lock on the crown once the king died. When the king, Edward the Confessor did die, in 1066, Harold defeated the king of Norway's invading army, but was in turn defeated by duke William and his invading Normans."


Normandy = Norwegian. GO NORWEGIANS!

http://www.hyw.com/Books/History/Vikings_.htm good page

[razor-]

According to my school textbooks Rollo the founder of the Fiefdom of Normandy was Danish, but apparently it is a pretty contested issue.

[Helm]

Something like that will do as far as the Vikings are concerned. You have to use a fair bit of artistic license as we don't really have 100% accurately detailed historical information on them.

[Kjertesvein]

Hold hold on! I got huge files of PDF on history, governmental structure, controlled land, weapons of war, etc. etc. Step down from your horses fellows!

EDIT:
Here is you will have enuff from the viking age all the way to 16th century. 5 huge pdf files of very good and detailed research of Norway, Denmark and Sweden:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4T0INH5E

Use google translate, then you can easily use local knowledge. It's more rich on details if you know the search words (tags):
Local Norwegian:
Google translated:

A Rune translater, fill in your letters and out comes the rune writings:
http://www.vikingrune.com/rune-conve...heri&r_alpha=5

Here is a dictionary, English - Old Norse:
http://www.yorku.ca/inpar/language/E...-Old_Norse.pdf

Scroll down to Chapter 11, and read how the Hird worked as a group of equal brothers incl the king and nobles. Tho that is of 13th it's alot of cimilaritys all the way to 15th century:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/16770786/A...ransformations

There is also alot to learn from the Saga's, and they are free of charge to use (on the web too).
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=291847
Scroll down to Icelandic: http://omacl.org/genre.html


-Enjoy.

[Ahlerich]

Hold hold on! I got huge files of PDF on history, governmental structure, controlled land, weapons of war, etc. etc. Step down from your horses fellows!

thats nothing. i have a mjöllnir neclace. i spit on your books. i smash them. /jk