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Freyr: Norse god of fertility, prosperity, and peace
Freyr, the Norse god of fertility, evolved from earlier fertility deities in the Viking tradition. This once-powerful figure deserves some of the historical spotlight to shine on him.1 year ago — Culture and religion -
Ritual offerings: The role of animal sacrifice in Viking religion and society
Animal sacrifices played a bloody but vital role in the cultural, religious, and societal cohesion of Viking societies. We look at why the ritualistic murder of animals was not only sanctioned but encouraged throughout the early medieval period.1 year ago — Culture and religion -
Styrbjörn the Strong: Viking chieftain or literary creation?
Whilst he may have been related to two early medieval kings of Sweden, Styrbjörn wasn't exactly a family man. He is said to have led a rebellion against his own family, ultimately falling in an act of betrayal.1 year ago — History -
The unresolved fate of Jomsborg fortress: Fact vs. fiction
SPOILER ALERT: In the final season of "Vikings: Valhalla," Freydís and her followers abandon the pagan fortress of Jomsborg, apparently accepting it could never be secure from Christian intrusions. But what do we know about the real Jomsborg, and what ultimately happened to it?2 years ago — History -
Exploring Aros: The Viking roots of Aarhus, Denmark
Nowadays, Aarhus is a bustling and thriving European metropolis. It is Denmark's second-largest city and houses the country's largest port. However, the city boasts not only a rich economy but also a rich history that stretches back to the early medieval period when Vikings roamed the seas.2 years ago — History -
Who was Sigrid the Haughty, the legendary Queen of the North?
Sigrid the Haughty, a powerful figure in Norse sagas, was said to have been responsible for the Battle of Svolder, was married to two legendary Viking kings, and was wooed by another. Can we separate fact from fiction to uncover the true inspiration behind this legendary Queen of the North?2 years ago — History -
The skalds of Scandinavia: Viking poets and their legacy
Whilst their martial prowess and naval skills dominate popular imagination, people from Viking societies also had a softer, more cultured set of skills. Skalds, the fabled poets of the Viking Age, were known for their unique and complex poetic forms and were also crowd-pleasing entertainers.2 years ago — Culture and religion -
From Jerusalem to Uppsala: Why Sweden rejected paganism for Christianity
The reign of Swedish King Olof Skötkonung was a historical pivot for the nascent Scandinavian kingdom that saw the transition from pagan beliefs to the worship of the new Christian religion. Why did Sweden reject the old gods for Jesus, and who benefitted from this spiritual paradigm shift?2 years ago — Partner content -
Inge the Pagan Basher: Who was the Swedish king who destroyed the Temple at Uppsala?
Ruling at a turbulent time in Sweden’s history, King Inge the Elder was said to preside over an unstable realm divided between the worship of the Old Norse gods and Christianity.2 years ago — Partner content -
Was the Gamla Uppsala temple the largest pre-Christian structure in Scandinavia?
From Sune Lindqvist in 1926 to the discoveries of 2013, archeologists have shaped modern-day thinking about the pagan temple at Uppsala, Sweden, which was destroyed nearly 1,000 years ago.2 years ago — Partner content
