History of the Vikings

This compelling narrative treats the Viking realms of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, their civilization and culture, and their many-sided achievements at home and abroad. Examining the development of these Northern peoples-the Noromenn-it ranges from their origins and the legendary prehistory to the military triumphs of Canute to the defeat of Harald Hardradi at Stamford Bridge in 1066, which symbolically ended the Viking age. The book recounts the Vikings' exploits in war, trade, and colonization, covering their assault on Western Christendom, their trading and military ventures which took them to the Slav and Muslim worlds and Byzantium, as well as their western voyages of discovery and settlement to Greenland, Iceland, and America. Numerous photographs, maps, and drawings contribute to Gwyn Jones's rounded portrait of Viking civilization and vividly evoke the importance in their culture of religion, art, and seafaring.Jones, Gwyn is the author of 'History of the Vikings', published 2001 under ISBN 9780192801340 and ISBN 0192801341.