Forget the Olympics and the U.S. Presidential election – the biggest news story this week is that The Viking Herald has published its 1000th article!
Yes, that's right, we have over 1,000 articles on Scandinavian history, culture, and heritage that we have published for you, our beloved readers, from all corners of the globe.
By doing so, we help provide international readers with valuable insights and analysis related to all things Vikings and Scandinavia, all in the English language.
The site was founded back in 2021 – a time that feels as remote as the early medieval period itself – and our vision was to bring Scandinavian history, culture, and news to a global audience.
Our content is written and curated by experienced local and international journalists and contributors who are passionate about history, culture, and, yes, Vikings!
All of us who work at The Viking Herald are not only passionate Scandiologists (or Scandiphiles, or in plain English, lovers of Scandinavia) but also have a deep love, respect, and affection for the early medieval period.
The Oseberg ship and its ornate wagon are powerful reminders of the Viking Age's artistic and technological brilliance. Source: Jac Brun / National Library of Norway
Don't call it the "Dark Ages" – be dazzled by Scandinavia's historical golden glow
Whilst some traditional historians have referred to this period as the "Dark Ages," one look at the wealth of Viking artifacts, treasures, and art that have been unearthed will make you think otherwise.
The awe-inspiring medieval stave churches that still stand and the rich tapestry of Norse sagas, myths, and legends reveal this was a true golden age for Scandinavia and its surrounds.
We love this period so much that we have dedicated a significant portion of our 1000th article to explaining this era from a Scandinavian perspective.
We cover the major societal, economic, and political trends and forces that shaped it, as well as the personal stories of the larger-than-life men and women, monarchs and Vikings who have left an indelible mark on world history.
So, now that you know who we are and what we do, what do we know about you, our beloved followers, without whom we would be lost, like a Viking ship without a rudder, alone in the digital ocean?
- READ MORE: Top Viking discoveries of 2023
The Viking Herald formed a close bond with readers worldwide, delivering reliable insights into Scandinavian history and culture. Source: Anna Kepa / Shutterstock
A highly cherished, valued, and knowledgeable audience: Just what we like
Since our inception back in 2021, we like to think that we have formed a strong bond with our audience through high-quality articles that offer insight, analysis, and help to explain the world as it is today through history, culture, and news.
History has never been more important to study, as it teaches us who we are, how we got here, and where we may go next.
We can learn from past successes and failures, gain insight into human behavior (the early medieval mind was both vastly different and yet similar to ours), and develop critical thinking skills.
One of our greatest joys in writing articles for The Viking Herald is knowing that they will reach a global audience. Whilst English is our lingua franca, we cater to an international market with followers from as far apart as Australia, Estonia, the Philippines, and Turkey.
Regardless of where you, dear reader, are from, we like to think we scratch your Viking-related itch.
In an era of misinformation and disinformation, culture wars and mudslinging, and societal mistrust of academics and learned people, we know that our audience trusts our expert reviews and recommendations.
We are extremely thankful for your trust, and we know it is hard-earned and precious. In fact, we have crunched the numbers and found that:
99.1% of our readers are interested in culture and history.
97.6% of our readers say they trust The Viking Herald as a source of information on Scandinavian culture and history.
97.3% of our readers say they would trust The Viking Herald's recommendation on a museum, event, or destination to visit.
No self-praise is no praise, and we work hard every single day and night to scour the sagas, news headlines, and academic world to deliver only the highest-quality articles, analyses, and recommendations.
The Viking Herald is switching to Patreon for exclusive content and better community engagement. Source: sergio victor vega / Shutterstock
An exciting change and a sincere thank you
Finally, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for your unwavering support over the years.
As we continue to grow and evolve, we have decided to discontinue our paid Facebook Subscriptions program (just the paid program; we will continue to post on our general Facebook page every day).
We are excited to announce that we are moving our subscription model over to Patreon!
This platform will provide us with more opportunities to connect with you, offer exclusive content, and deliver a more personalized experience.
Your continued support means everything to us, and we would be honored if you choose to join us on Patreon. You will still have access to behind-the-scenes content, exclusive perks, and the chance to be part of our growing community.
To join us on Patreon, simply visit our Patreon page and become a patron today. We cannot wait to see you there and to continue this incredible journey together.
Here's to 1,000 articles more...
It has been our pleasure to research, write, and publish over 1,000 articles on a wide range of topics, themes, and subjects relating to Scandinavian history, culture, and experiences.
Yes, there has been a lot of (metaphorical) blood, sweat, and tears over the past three years as we have slowly built our little niche in the world.
All of that, however, is thanks to you, dear reader. Without your ongoing support and deep interest in all things Viking, we would not be here.
A final hearty and sincere thank you to you, dear reader, for every time you've visited our website, read an article, or liked one of our posts. Each of your interactions is as priceless to us as a Viking hoard.
From longships to long reads, here's to another 1,000 articles from The Viking Herald. Skål!
We get to provide readers with original coverage thanks to our loyal supporters. Do you enjoy our work? You can become a PATRON here or via our Patreon page. You'll get access to exclusive content and early access.
Feel free to reach out to discuss potential stories that may be in the public interest. You can reach us via email at [email protected] with the understanding that the information you provide might be used in our reporting and stories.
