Who Was the Last Viking?
The Vikings were a group of seafaring warriors, explorers, traders, and settlers who dominated much of Europe and parts of Asia and North America from the 8th to the 11th centuries CE. They were known for their daring raids, their skill in navigation, their craftsmanship, their culture, and their mythology. But who was the last Viking? And when did the Viking Age end?
In this article, we will explore the life and legacy of Harald Hardrada, the king of Norway who is widely regarded as the last Viking. We will also look at some of the historical, literary, and archaeological sources that tell us about him and his fellow Norsemen.
last viking
The Viking Age: A Period of Exploration and Conquest
The Viking Age is generally considered to have begun in 793 CE, when a group of Norse raiders attacked the monastery of Lindisfarne on the coast of Northumbria in England. This was followed by more attacks on other monasteries, towns, and kingdoms in Britain, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Russia, and beyond. The Vikings were not only raiders but also colonizers who established settlements in places like Iceland, Greenland, Normandy, Sicily, and Newfoundland.
The Vikings were also adventurers who traveled far and wide in search of new lands, riches, and fame. They reached as far as Constantinople, Baghdad, Jerusalem, North Africa, and North America. They traded with various peoples and cultures along their routes and exchanged goods, ideas, and genes. They also encountered resistance and hostility from some of their targets and rivals, such as the Franks, the Anglo-Saxons, the Byzantines, and the Rus'.
The Vikings were not a unified or homogeneous group but rather a collection of different clans, tribes, kingdoms, and alliances that often competed or fought with each other. They had different origins, dialects, customs, beliefs, and loyalties. They were also influenced by their contacts with other cultures and religions, especially Christianity. Some Vikings converted to Christianity voluntarily or by force while others remained faithful to their pagan gods.
Harald Hardrada: The Last Viking King
One of the most famous and influential Vikings was Harald Hardrada (c. 1015-1066 CE), who became the king of Norway in 1047 CE. His name means "hard ruler" or "resolute" in Old Norse. He was also known as Harald Sigurdsson or Harald III.
Harald Hardrada: the last Viking king
The end of the Viking Age in 1066 CE
The Varangian Guard and the Byzantine Empire
The Viking invasions of England and Normandy
The North Sea Empire and the Danelaw
The Norse colonies in Iceland and Greenland
The Viking discovery of North America
The Viking raids on monasteries and towns
The Norse culture and religion
The Viking ships and navigation
The Viking sagas and legends
The Viking art and runes
The Viking weapons and warfare
The Viking trade and exploration
The Viking settlements and society
The Norse-Gaels and the kingdom of the Isles
The Normans and the Battle of Hastings
The Rus' people and the Kievan Rus'
The Faroese and the Faroe Islands
The Icelanders and the Althing
Roald Amundsen: the last Viking explorer
The South Pole and the Northwest Passage
The Norwegian Antarctic Expedition
The race to the North Pole
The disappearance of Roald Amundsen
The Viking influence on modern languages
The Viking heritage and DNA
The Viking reenactment and festivals
The Viking archaeology and museums
The Viking tourism and attractions
The Last Viking: a biography of Roald Amundsen
The Last Kingdom: a historical fiction series
Vikings: a historical drama series
Assassin's Creed Valhalla: a video game
How to Train Your Dragon: an animated film series
Thor: a Marvel superhero based on Norse mythology
Ragnarok: a Netflix series set in Norway
Norsemen: a comedy series about Vikings
Vinland Saga: a manga and anime series
God of War: a video game series featuring Norse gods
Harald's life was full of adventure and danger from an early age. He was born into a royal family that was involved in a power struggle with another dynasty in Norway. He fought alongside his half-brother Olaf II against Cnut the Great of Denmark who had conquered Norway. Olaf was killed at the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030 CE while Harald was wounded and fled to Russia.
From there he traveled to Constantinople where he joined the Varangian Guard, an elite unit of mostly Norse mercenaries who served as bodyguards to the Byzantine emper ors. He fought in many battles and campaigns in the Balkans, Asia Minor, Sicily, and the Holy Land. He earned a reputation as a brave and skilled warrior and a cunning and ruthless leader. He also amassed a fortune in gold, jewels, and lands. He even married a Byzantine princess named Zoe.
Harald eventually returned to Norway in 1045 CE after hearing that his nephew Magnus had become the king. He made a deal with Magnus to share the throne and the rule of Norway. Magnus died two years later, leaving Harald as the sole king. Harald then set out to expand his power and influence in Scandinavia and beyond. He fought against the Danes, the Swedes, and the Finns. He also made alliances with other Viking leaders and rulers, such as Sweyn Estridsson of Denmark, Tostig Godwinson of England, and Malcolm III of Scotland.
Harald's ultimate ambition was to conquer England, which had been ruled by the Anglo-Saxon king Edward the Confessor since 1042 CE. Edward had no children and his succession was uncertain. Harald claimed that he had a right to the English throne based on an agreement he had made with Magnus and Edward in 1064 CE. He also had a personal grudge against Harold Godwinson, Edward's brother-in-law and the most powerful noble in England, who had betrayed and exiled his ally Tostig.
The Battle of Stamford Bridge: The End of an Era
In 1066 CE, Edward the Confessor died and Harold Godwinson was crowned as the new king of England. Harald Hardrada saw this as an opportunity to invade England and claim the crown for himself. He gathered a large army of Norsemen, Danes, Irishmen, Scotsmen, and others and sailed across the North Sea. He landed in Yorkshire in September 1066 CE and joined forces with Tostig.
Harald and Tostig marched southward, defeating a local army at the Battle of Fulford on September 20th. They then reached Stamford Bridge on September 25th, where they expected to meet some hostages and supplies from the nearby town of York. However, they were surprised by the arrival of Harold Godwinson's army, which had marched northward at an incredible speed.
The Battle of Stamford Bridge was a fierce and bloody clash between the two armies. Harald's forces were caught off guard and outnumbered by Harold's forces. Harald fought bravely but was killed by an arrow that pierced his throat. Tostig was also killed along with most of their men. Only a few survivors managed to escape and return to Norway.
The Battle of Stamford Bridge is considered to be the end of the Viking Age, as it marked the last major attempt by a Viking leader to conquer England or any other part of Europe. It also paved the way for another invasion of England by William of Normandy, who defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings on October 14th and became the king of England. The Legacy of the Last Viking
Harald Hardrada may have been the last Viking king, but he was not the last Viking. The Vikings left behind a lasting impact on the world, both in terms of their descendants and their contributions to history, culture, and literature. Here are some examples of how the Vikings influenced the world after Harald's death.
The Norse-Gaels, Normans, and Rus' People
Some of the Vikings who settled in other lands intermarried with the local populations and formed new ethnic groups and cultures. One of these groups was the Norse-Gaels, who were the descendants of the Vikings and the Gaels in Ireland and Scotland. They adopted some aspects of Gaelic culture, such as language, religion, and laws, but also retained some of their Norse heritage, such as names, art, and shipbuilding. They established several kingdoms and dynasties in Ireland and Scotland, such as Dublin, Limerick, the Isles, and Man.
Another group was the Normans, who were the descendants of the Vikings and the Franks in Normandy. They adopted some aspects of Frankish culture, such as language, religion, and feudalism, but also retained some of their Norse heritage, such as names, military tactics, and exploration. They became one of the most powerful and influential groups in medieval Europe, conquering England, Sicily, southern Italy, and parts of the Middle East.
A third group was the Rus' people, who were the descendants of the Vikings and the Slavs in Russia. They adopted some aspects of Slavic culture, such as language, religion, and customs, but also retained some of their Norse heritage, such as names, trade routes, and administration. They established several principalities and states in Russia and Ukraine, such as Novgorod, Kiev, Vladimir-Suzdal, and Galicia-Volhynia.
The Sagas, Poems, and Chronicles
Some of the Vikings who remained in Scandinavia or Iceland preserved their history and culture through oral and written traditions. One of these traditions was the sagas, which were prose narratives that told the stories of legendary heroes, kings, families, and events. Some of the most famous sagas are the Icelandic sagas, which depict the lives and adventures of the settlers of Iceland in the 9th to 11th centuries CE. Some examples are Njáls saga, Egils saga, Laxdæla saga, and Grettis saga.
Another tradition was the poems or skaldic verses that praised or lamented the deeds of warriors or rulers. Some of these poems were composed by professional poets or skalds who served at courts or accompanied expeditions. Some examples are Hákonarmál by Eyvindr skáldaspillir, Eiríksmál by Kormákr Ögmundarson, and Haraldskvæði by Þorbjörn hornklofi.
A third tradition was the chronicles or annals that recorded the events and dates of historical importance. Some of these chronicles were written by monks or clerics who witnessed or heard about the Viking raids or invasions. Some examples are The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, The Annals of Ulster, and The Russian Primary Chronicle.
The Archaeological Evidence
Some of the Vikings who died or left behind their belongings provided us with material evidence of their presence and activities. One type of evidence is the graves or burial mounds that contained human remains and various objects such as weapons, jewelry, coins, and tools. Some examples are Oseberg ship burial in Norway, Ladby ship burial in Denmark, and Jelling stones in Denmark.
Another type of evidence is the runestones or carved stones that bore inscriptions in runic alphabet that commemorated people or events. Some examples are Rök runestone in Sweden, Jelling runestone in Denmark, and Ruthwell Cross in Scotland.
A third type of evidence is the artifacts or objects that were made or used by the Vikings for various purposes such as trade, craft, religion, and warfare. Some examples are silver hoards, brooches, Thor's hammers, and swords.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Harald Hardrada was one of the most remarkable figures in Viking history. He lived a life full of adventure and ambition that spanned across continents and cultures. He was also one of the last representatives of a period that saw the Vikings achieve remarkable feats of exploration and conquest. He died at Stamford Bridge in 1066 CE in a battle that marked the end of the Viking Age but not of the Viking legacy. The Vikings The Vikings left behind a rich and diverse legacy that can still be seen and felt today in various aspects of history, culture, and literature. They also inspired generations of writers, artists, and scholars who have portrayed them in different ways, from heroes to villains, from barbarians to explorers, from pagans to Christians. The Vikings were not a simple or monolithic group but rather a complex and dynamic one that shaped and was shaped by the world they lived in.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about Harald Hardrada and the Vikings.
Question
Answer
Why is Harald Hardrada considered the last Viking?
Harald Hardrada is considered the last Viking because he was the last Viking king who tried to conquer England or any other part of Europe. He also embodied the spirit and values of the Viking Age, such as courage, ambition, adventure, and glory.
What was the Varangian Guard?
The Varangian Guard was an elite unit of mostly Norse mercenaries who served as bodyguards to the Byzantine emperors. They were highly valued for their loyalty, bravery, and skill in combat. They also played an important role in Byzantine politics and history.
What was the difference between Norsemen and Vikings?
Norsemen was a general term for the people who lived in Scandinavia in the Middle Ages. Vikings was a specific term for the Norsemen who engaged in raiding, trading, or settling in other lands. Not all Norsemen were Vikings, but all Vikings were Norsemen.
What was the difference between skaldic and eddic poetry?
Skaldic poetry was a type of poetry that praised or lamented the deeds of warriors or rulers. It was composed by professional poets or skalds who used complex and elaborate forms and metaphors. Eddic poetry was a type of poetry that told the stories of gods, heroes, or mythical beings. It was composed by anonymous poets who used simple and straightforward forms and language.
What was the difference between runestones and rune sticks?
Runestones were carved stones that bore inscriptions in runic alphabet that commemorated people or events. They were usually erected as monuments or markers in public places. Rune sticks were wooden sticks that bore inscriptions in runic alphabet that conveyed messages or information. They were usually used as personal or private communication devices.
44f88ac181
Comentarios