The Viking Paradigm with Prof. Alex Woolf

About this episode

The episode discusses the concept of 'the Vikings' and its usefulness in understanding medieval history with Prof. Alex Woolf.

This week we welcome back Prof. Alex Woolf (University of St. Andrews) to the podcast to question whether ‘the Vikings’ is a useful concept that helps us understand history. We explore why certain people left Scandinavia in the late 8th century and what they were called in the various places they raided and eventually settled. Alex warns us against the telescoping of medieval history and argues for more nuance and specificity when dealing with the Scandinavian diaspora in so-called 'Viking Age Ireland'. He explains that the variety of activities by people we refer to as 'vikings' across the centuries in places like Ireland, England, Scotland and Francia cannot be reduced to one simple narrative. Suggested reading: Alex Woolf, 'The Viking Paradigm in Early Medieval History' Early Medieval England and its Neighbours . 2025;51:e2. doi:10.1017/ean.2024.3 Colmán Etchingham, Vikings in Early Medieval Ireland: Church-Raiding, Politics and Kingship (Boydell Press, 2025) Regular episodes every two weeks (on a Friday) Email: medievalirishhistory@gmail.com Producer: Tiago Veloso Silva Supported by the Dept of Early Irish, Maynooth University & Taighde Éireann/Research Ireland. Views…

People in this episode

Guest: Prof. Alex Woolf

Topics covered

• Vikings
• Scandinavian diaspora
• medieval history
• Viking Age Ireland
• historical narrative
• cultural exploration

Keywords

• Vikings
• Scandinavia
• medieval history
• Ireland
• historical narrative
• diaspora
• Alex Woolf

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of St. Andrews, Dept of Early Irish, Maynooth University, Taighde Éireann/Research Ireland

Products: Vikings in Early Medieval Ireland: Church-Raiding, Politics and Kingship

Books & works: The Viking Paradigm in Early Medieval History

More episodes of The Medieval Irish History Podcast

• The Friars in Ireland with Conor McDonough · June 12, 2026 · 52 min
• Church Reforms and Religious Orders with Conor McDonough · June 5, 2026 · 56 min
• Bonus: Reassessing Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair with Dr Seán Ó Hoireabhárd · May 11, 2026 · 31 min
• The last 'High-King'? Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair with Dr Seán Ó Hoireabhárd · May 8, 2026 · 56 min
• Voyage literature and classical myths with Dr Brigid Ehrmantraut · April 10, 2026 · 52 min
• St Patrick and the joys of Hiberno-Latin with Dr Anthony Harvey · March 12, 2026 · 54 min