The Untold Epic Tale of The Vikings: Their Raids, Explorations, and Fearless Seafaring

Prepare to be immersed in an awe-inspiring journey as we unravel the captivating saga of the Vikings, the most infamous raiders, explorers, and seafaring warriors of all time. These Scandinavian pagans left an indelible mark on history, and their extraordinary tales continue to captivate generations even today.

Raiders of the North

The Vikings, originally from the Nordic region, were known for their swift and brutal raids on unsuspecting coastal towns throughout Europe. These fearsome warriors unleashed terror and chaos with their superior craftsmanship, skillful warfare, and unparalleled ferocity. Equipped with their iconic longships, they sailed across vast oceans, leaving entire communities trembling at their arrival.

The Viking raiders were notorious for their speed and agility. With exceptional navigational skills, they quickly mastered the arts of coastal and river travel, accessing territories thought to be impenetrable by other seafaring civilizations. Armed with their deadly weapons, including formidable battleaxes and swords, they struck fear into the hearts of their enemies.

The Vikings: Raiders, Explorers And Seafaring Warriors

by Lance Hightower(Kindle Edition)

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	727 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	248 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Their favorite targets were the monasteries along the coasts of Britain and Ireland. These sacred places were rich in treasures, making them irresistible to the Vikings, who saw themselves as deserving plunderers. Their looting sprees were not only driven by material gain but also by a desire to assert dominance and sow fear among rival clans and civilizations.

Explorers of the Unknown

Beyond their reputation as raiders, the Vikings were also intrepid explorers who ventured into uncharted territories. Their thirst for discovery extended far beyond their homelands. With remarkable navigational skills, they traversed treacherous seas and embarked on audacious expeditions that are still celebrated today.

Perhaps the most renowned Norse explorer was Leif Erikson, believed to be the first European to set foot in North America, hundreds of years before Christopher Columbus. Erikson's exploration of Vinland, as he named it, opened up new possibilities for Viking settlements and trade routes.

Interestingly, evidence also suggests that Vikings may have reached far beyond North America, venturing as far as Africa and Asia. Some theories even propose that Vikings reached the shores of modern-day Iran and Turkey, leaving a lasting impact on various cultures they encountered along the way.

Seafaring Warriors Who Shaped History

Seafaring was an integral part of Viking culture, and sailing prowess was highly revered. Their legendary longships were ingenious creations, allowing them to navigate shallow waters with ease and swiftly escape their enemies when necessary. The Vikings' shipbuilding techniques were so advanced that their ships became the models for future maritime technology.

The Viking age, from the 8th to the 11th century, witnessed some of the most significant seafaring advancements. The Vikings were known to extensively travel waterways such as the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean, leaving their mark on the lands they encountered.

Through their vast and daring expeditions, the Vikings established trade networks, intermingled with diverse cultures, and built lasting alliances with distant lands. Their cultural influence spread far and wide, leaving behind a legacy that can still be discerned today.

The Enduring Legacy

The legend of the Vikings, with their audacious raids, explorations of unknown lands, and maritime expertise, continues to inspire awe and fascination. Their spirit of adventure, valor, and determination is a reminder that the human appetite for exploration and conquest is as timeless as the oceans themselves.

As you delve into the annals of Viking history, you will uncover their extraordinary feats and remarkable conquests. From meticulous shipbuilders to unparalleled warriors, the Vikings remain an inexhaustible source of inspiration for explorers, historians, and dreamers alike.

Their indomitable spirit lives on, reminding us that the seas are not merely barriers but gateways to destinies yet uncharted.

The Vikings: Raiders, Explorers And Seafaring Warriors

by Lance Hightower(Kindle Edition)

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	727 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	248 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The world of the Vikings is larger than life, filled with sagas of warriors who made fighting a career, but there’s a lot more to Viking history than blood-letting and piracy. Their achievements, rich culture and craftsmanship contributed greatly to our world today, and their explorations helped make up the boundaries of nations.

The Vikings: Raiders, Explorers, and Seafaring Warriors by author Lance Hightower will give you a glimpse of the battles that raged for more than 300 years, sparked by the cultural and religious differences that were the trigger for warring with the Franks, England and Ireland, and for trade and exploration into the Muslim empire, the Byzantine Empire, as far as Russia, Spain and North America.

They came from Sweden, Norway and Denmark, not as one army, but as separate tribes who assaulted their way through Christendom as retaliation for the destruction of their holy icon.
They came from the sea in a way that ingeniously allowed them to go where no conventional ship dared, and they were able to navigate waters without benefit of the sun to guide them. They used boats that made ship-building history – light, fast, and equally efficient in shallow rivers and mighty oceans.

They terrorized, traded, bartered, took slaves, colonized, fought and died all in the name of Odin, god of the battle-slain. Perhaps in the end, they fought more for territory and riches than principle, but the history of the Vikings will always remain as one of the most enthralling of all Ages, where honor was crucial, death on the battlefield was preferred to idleness, and the stormy pantheon of their gods still held the greatest influence in their lives.

The brilliant sagas come to life with snippets of modern translations, told like tales of old should be told, with dread, heroics and excitement. Lance Hightower combines his own expertise with the latest archeological findings and information given to us from ancient text to present a first-rate portrayal of the Vikings in an easy-to-read format that is a refreshing change from the usual dry delivery of history.