JMcB
10-22-2016, 06:46 PM
I don't know how long it will last but there's a free chapter for download from the book: The Viking World.
Scandinavia before the Viking Age
Authored by: Lotte Hedeager
The Viking World
Abstract
What is known as the Middle Ages in Scandinavia begins around ad 1000, half a millennium later than the rest of western and central Europe. Only from this date onwards did Scandinavia consist of unified kingdoms and Christianity was established as a serious force in pagan Scandinavia. It is consequently only from this date onwards that Scandinavia has its own written history. This does not, however, mean that the people of Scandinavia were without history, or without any knowledge of ancient events. Quite the opposite, in fact, although their historical tradition was oral, transmitted from generation to generation within the constraints of rulers and traditions of composition and performance.
https://www.routledgehandbooks.com/doi/10.4324/9780203412770.ch1
Scandinavia before the Viking Age
Authored by: Lotte Hedeager
The Viking World
Abstract
What is known as the Middle Ages in Scandinavia begins around ad 1000, half a millennium later than the rest of western and central Europe. Only from this date onwards did Scandinavia consist of unified kingdoms and Christianity was established as a serious force in pagan Scandinavia. It is consequently only from this date onwards that Scandinavia has its own written history. This does not, however, mean that the people of Scandinavia were without history, or without any knowledge of ancient events. Quite the opposite, in fact, although their historical tradition was oral, transmitted from generation to generation within the constraints of rulers and traditions of composition and performance.
https://www.routledgehandbooks.com/doi/10.4324/9780203412770.ch1