S8 Ep822: The conclusion of the Viking Age is often associated with the pivotal year 1066, marked by the death of Harald Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Hardrada was a legendary King of Norway who had lived an extraordinary life, serving as an imperial b

About this episode

The episode discusses the conclusion of the Viking Age, focusing on Harald Hardrada and the historical significance of 1066.

The conclusion of the Viking Age is often associated with the pivotal year 1066, marked by the death of Harald Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge . Hardrada was a legendary King of Norway who had lived an extraordinary life, serving as an imperial bodyguard in the Byzantine capital of Constantinople where he was rewarded with gold or "embers of the hands." He sought to reclaim the English throne, which had previously been held by King Canute during the era of the North Sea Empire that united England , Denmark , and parts of Norway . While 1066 is a convenient historical bookmark, Barraclough argues it is an Anglo-centric view that ignores the persistence of Norse culture in other regions like Greenland or Russia . The era also featured figures like Harald Bluetooth , who famously claimed to have converted the Danes to Christianity and whose runic initials now serve as the symbol for modern Bluetooth technology. Another symbolic ending occurred much later in 1263 at the Battle of Largs , where King Haakon of Norway faced off against King Alexander III of Scotland . Although the battle was inconclusive, Haakon's subsequent death in Orkney led to the Western Isles being ceded…

People in this episode

Host: John Batchelor

Topics covered

• Viking Age
• Harald Hardrada
• Anglo-centric history
• Norse culture
• Christianity in Denmark
• Norwegian political control

Keywords

• Viking Age
• Harald Hardrada
• Battle of Stamford Bridge
• Norse culture
• King Canute
• Christianity
• Battle of Largs

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: North Sea Empire

Places: Norway, England, Denmark, Greenland, Russia, Constantinople, Orkney, Western Isles

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