Category: History

Yule – The Viking Predecessor Of The Contemporary Christmas Holidays

Christmas is one of the most important Christian holidays, being observed most commonly on the 25 December on all of the continents across the world. Nowadays, this holy celebration brings people together in many ways, all the more by attending various Christmas markets globally. However, what some people might not know about this holiday is…


The Early Medieval Chess Of The Norsemen – Hnefatafl

The Hnefatafl (alternatively known as King’s board or tablut) was a strategy board game similar to contemporary Chess that was invented and played by the Norsemen in the time of the Viking Age. From native Scandinavia, the Norsemen brought the hnefatafl to their overseas colonies, most notably in the North Atlantic ones (i.e. the Faroe…


A Brief History Of The Stave Churches From Norway

The Norwegian stave churches (or singularly known in Norwegian as ‘stavkirke’) are doubtlessly some of the most illustrative examples of Norway‘s history and culture that date back to the Middle Ages. They have been classified as historical monuments in Norway. Once common throughout much of Northern Europe, the stave churches gradually disappeared, with only about…


New Possible Viking Age Site Discovered In Newfoundland, Canada

A recent discovery of a Viking Age settlement at Point Rosee headland in southwestern Newfoundland, Canada may rewrite the history of the Vikings in North America, especially in the context of the pre-Columbus European exploration of the New World. The possible Viking Age settlement was spotted using satellite imagery on the area of Point Rosee….


The History And Origins Of The Berserker Warriors

The Berserkers (also known as ‘berserks’) were elite Norse warriors who fought during the Viking Age on the battlefield with intense rage and bravery. The very word ‘berserk’ (as well as ‘berserker’) entered the English language via Old Norse, its etymology attesting the ravaging physical power of these Norse champion fighters. In the Old Norse…