Vikings At War

Beskrivelse

Discover the fierce world of Viking warfare, exploring their weapons, tactics, and the impact of their raids across Europe and beyond. This book offers an in-depth look at how Vikings fought, their military traditions, and the legacy they left behind.

An immersive exploration of Viking military strategies, raids, and their far-reaching influence.

"Vikings at War" delivers a rich and detailed portrayal of Viking combat, covering everything from their weapon technology and battle tactics to their fortifications, ships, and command systems. It reveals how these warriors launched raids and conquests that extended their reach to nearly every part of Europe and even to America.

During the 350 years following the introduction of sails, Viking ships touched almost every Western shore from the 9th to the 11th century. Their devastating raids united Spanish kingdoms and halted the advance of Charlemagne and the Franks in Europe. Although their attacks caused immense suffering, the encounters between Viking and European cultures transformed societies on both sides.

The Vikings’ success hinged on their unpredictable and unconventional strategies, which were difficult for organized armies to counter. Their core approach involved striking swiftly from the sea and retreating just as fast to avoid prolonged conflict. In their militarized society, the warrior class held sway, and honour was paramount. Breaking promises or damaging one’s reputation after death was considered worse than death itself, and blood revenge was the only way to settle offences against honour.

This book uniquely combines the art of Viking warfare, their weapons, and the history of their conquests in one comprehensive volume. Featuring over 380 full-colour illustrations, it includes stunning reconstruction drawings, maps, ship cross-sections, fortification line-drawings, battle plans, and photographs of surviving artefacts such as weapons and jewellery.

Yderligere information