

The 9th Century #MeToo | Vikings (Part 1)
Aug 18, 2025
Dive into the gritty humor of Viking history, contrasting their violent society with today's norms. Discover how a pivotal raid influences perceptions of these notorious raiders, while hilariously examining the origins of Santa Claus. Explore the complexities of Viking identity and their first encounters with Christianity, wrapped in witty banter about everything from berserkers to cultural misunderstandings. Expect absurdity and laughter as ancient narratives blend with modern references, revealing how Vikings still resonate today.
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First Contact Shapes The Image
- The Lindisfarne raid (793) marks how the Christian world first perceived Norse people as violent raiders.
- Surviving accounts come mostly from Christian victims, skewing our image of the Viking Age.
Longships Made Surprise Possible
- Viking longships combined speed, shallow draft, and capacity to enable surprise beach landings and rapid raids.
- That naval design let Norse groups raid, migrate, and colonize across vast distances.
Fatalism Fueled Warrior Status
- Norse religion emphasised fate and dying honorably, producing a warrior culture that valorised violent, public death.
- That worldview helps explain why raiding and martial status matter so much in the sources.