Dan Snow's History Hit How to Survive in Viking Britain
Sep 12, 2024
Eleanor Barraclough, a cultural historian and broadcaster, shares fascinating insights into surviving in Viking Britain. She uncovers the harsh realities faced by settlers, from brutal weather to health challenges. The conversation highlights Viking societal structures and their complex interactions with local cultures. Barraclough also sheds light on archaeological discoveries that reveal living conditions and burial practices of the time. Join her as she explores York's transformation into a Viking hub and the everyday lives that shaped this intriguing era.
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Viking Origins
- "Viking" comes from Old Norse, meaning raider or pirate.
- The term has expanded to encompass the entire early medieval Nordic world.
Lindisfarne Raid
- The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle dramatically describes the Lindisfarne raid of 793.
- It mentions dragons in the sky, lightning, and famines, giving it an apocalyptic feel.
Norse-Anglo-Saxon Interaction
- Old Norse loanwords in English suggest significant interaction between Norse settlers and Anglo-Saxons.
- Cultural tensions existed, becoming more obvious later in the settlement period.