The History of English Podcast

Episode 42: Beowulf and Other Viking Ancestors

May 7, 2014
Explore the Viking-era states of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, their impact on the English language, and their prominence in Beowulf. Delve into the linguistic similarities between Old English and Old Norse, and the influence of Norse words on the English language. Discover the origins of words related to boats, bolts, biting, and splitting. Uncover the connections between the Geats and Goths, and the migration of various Germanic tribes. Introduction to the historical background of Scandinavia and the Vikings.
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Episode notes
1
Introduction
00:00 • 2min
2
The Influence of Old Norse and Old French on English
02:28 • 13min
3
The Similarities Between Old English and Old Norse
15:48 • 2min
4
The Origins of Boat, Bolt, Bite, and Split
17:52 • 5min
5
Norse Influence on English Words and the Original Scandinavians
22:47 • 4min
6
Geats and Goths: Connections and Migration
26:32 • 20min
7
Scandinavian Communities, Trade, and the Coming of the Vikings
46:15 • 4min