The Vikings did not wear horns on their helmets; that was a sign of a chieftain only, and a practice that ended early in the Celtic age. It was usually a sign of afilliation with Kernnanos, a god of the wild animals.
Vikings were farmers first and warriors second; because the Scandinavian custom of the time said that all land inheritance went to the first-born son, all later born males had to find thier own land, hence their terrorization of Europe, and settling in Scotland and Ireland.
Vikings had the most nutritious diet in Europe, hence their amazingly large stature compared to the rest of the Europeans of the time.
Vikings bathed several times a week, so the Anglo women liked them better than their own men. (Can you blame them? Back then most people never bathed.)
Four of the week days are named after Norse gods:
Tuesday: Tyr, the one-armed leader of the gods' army.
Wednesday: Wotan, the chief god.
Thursday: Thor the god of thunder (in German, the day is also known as Donnerstag -- thunder day).
Friday: Frigg, Wotan's wife.
Sunday and Monday have similar names in modern Scandinavia -- I don't know if those names came from Norse to English or vice versa. Saturday, I guess is after Saturn -- but in Norse it's called Laurdag/Lørdag -- washing day.
The Vikings invented pants.
Dublin was founded by Viking raiders in the ninth century
The worst possible death for a Viking chief was to die peacefully in bed.
The Berserkers, literally "bear shirts," were the most feared of the Vikings. They worked themselves into a frenzy before going into battle and fought on, regardless of pain.
They invented one of the most horrible methods of torture and execution. Called The Blood Eagle it was performed by splitting open a person's ribs at the spine, spreading them wide "like an eagle" and tossing the victims lungs over his shoulders while still alive. Death came from shock and asphyxiation.
Some Real Viking Names
Thorvald the Skull-Splitter, Rollo the Dangler, Ragnar Hairybreeks, Auden the Bald, Styrbjorn Man-Cleaver, Sigurd Snake-Eye
Some Viking Names I Made Up
Jorund Hot-Breeches, Magnus the Swarthy, Asgrim Killyoudead, Hauk the Large-Bulged,
Go here to find your Viking name. Let me know what you get.
22 comments:
Gaukr Ironhorse.
Mine Viking name is: Reyrketill Ferretflattener
Your Viking Personality: The tougher Vikings might let you on the boat, but generally only when they need ballast. Unlike most Vikings, you don't have a quick temper; you tend to think about your actions before you undertake them. Sometimes you think too long. You probably know which end of a sword to hold, but you're not a fearsome fighter by any stretch of the imagination.
You would have a very tough time making a long sea voyage in a Viking longboat. Other Vikings consider you "one of the guys".
You have a fairly pragmatic attitude towards life, and tend not to expend effort in areas where it would be wasted. Other people tend to think of you as manipulative and conniving.
Mjöll Foecrusher
(Well, actually, that wouldn't really be your name -- since you're female, your name would be something like "Mjöll Björnsdottir". But this is the twenty-first century, and you want to be known for who you are, not for who your father was, right? Right.)
Your Viking Personality: You're a doughty, stalwart Viking, or at least you would be if you were male. You are strong and tireless, frequently shouldering burdens that would tire lesser women. As a Viking, you're one of the "berserkers", and rush into battle with no clothes on. If the sight of you naked isn't enough to disable the enemy, your sword certainly will be.
A long sea voyage aboard a Viking longboat would be difficult for you, but you might be able to manage it. You possess some skills which other Vikings respect.
You consider yourself to be better than a lot of people. Although you might not know it, the people you despise laugh at you when they see you sucking up to your superiors. Other people tend to think of you as manipulative and conniving.
________________________
I am a viking king! I rule.
I got Pru Dogchaser. WTF? Not very cool.
I got Sæuðr Foeflattener - and no I can't pronounce that.
Fun game, thanks Pru!
Eðna Madhorse
(Well, actually, that wouldn't really be your name -- since you're female, your name would be something like "Eðna Björnsdottir". But this is the twenty-first century, and you want to be known for who you are, not for who your father was, right? Right.)
Your Viking Personality: You're a fearsome Viking, but you aren't completely uncivilized. The other Vikings make fun of you for that. You have a thirst for battle, and tend to strike first and think later. You might be able to hold your own on the battlefield, but you're no "berserker".
You would have a very tough time making a long sea voyage in a Viking longboat. Other Vikings would consider you "one of the guys" if you were a guy. (But even though you're a woman, they still think you're all right.)
You have a fairly pragmatic attitude towards life, and tend not to expend effort in areas where it would be wasted. You sometimes come off as a bit of a snob. Vikings are not snobbish people -- they either like you, or they kill you. Try to be more like a Viking.
Hauk the Large Bulged... that is funny! LOL
Mind is: Tófa Ironhorse... I guess getfix and I are kin? LMAO
Your Viking Personality: You're a fearsome Viking, but you aren't completely uncivilized. The other Vikings make fun of you for that. You have a thirst for battle, and tend to strike first and think later. You're not a "berserker", but you're among the toughest sane Vikings around.
You might grumble a bit at the lack of amenities on board a Viking longboat, but you can handle it. Other Vikings would consider you "one of the guys" if you were a guy. (But even though you're a woman, they still think you're all right.)
People who've known you for a while don't always trust your word. You sometimes come off as a bit of a snob. Vikings are not snobbish people -- they either like you, or they kill you. Try to be more like a Viking.
That was fun, thanks Pru!
Elína Strongbear
Your Viking Personality: You're a fearsome Viking, but you aren't completely uncivilized. The other Vikings make fun of you for that. You have a thirst for battle, and tend to strike first and think later. You might be able to hold your own on the battlefield, but you're no "berserker".
A long sea voyage aboard a Viking longboat would be difficult for you, but you might be able to manage it. You possess some skills which other Vikings respect.
People who've known you for a while don't always trust your word. You sometimes come off as a bit of a snob. Vikings are not snobbish people -- they either like you, or they kill you. Try to be more like a Viking.
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Pru - I've got a book of knitting patterns called "The Viking Knits Collection." The cable design on each one comes with a description of the history of each. Good times!
I AM BIRNA FERRETSMASHER!
*terrorizes some small animals*
Your Viking Name is...
Guðbjörg Quickthews
(Well, actually, that wouldn't really be your name -- since you're female, your name would be something like "Guðbjörg Björnsdottir". But this is the twenty-first century, and you want to be known for who you are, not for who your father was, right? Right.)
Your Viking Personality: You're a fearsome Viking, but you aren't completely uncivilized. The other Vikings make fun of you for that. You are strong and tireless, frequently shouldering burdens that would tire lesser women. You're not a very fearsome fighter; in fact, you'd probably bleed to death if a sword hit your shadow.
You can handle long sea voyages easily, despite the lack of amenities. You possess some skills which other Vikings respect.
You have a fairly pragmatic attitude towards life, and tend not to expend effort in areas where it would be wasted. Due to your gregariousness, you don't strike fear into the hearts of your victims. Try to be a little more surly in the future.
Tófa Bonemangler - uhm, okay, like i always wanted my name to be tofa.
Those are a bunch of badass names. How come I got stuck with Dogchaser?
HEY! At least you name isn't like Tofu!
Vikings are awesome, but what's with the sudden obsession?
P.S. Hägar the Horrible is my favourite viking.
Your'e obssesed with vikings??? LOL!
My Viking Name is...
Ingileif Shadowsbane
(Well, actually, that wouldn't really be your name -- since you're female, your name would be something like "Ingileif Björnsdottir". But this is the twenty-first century, and you want to be known for who you are, not for who your father was, right? Right.)
Your Viking Personality: You might have a Norse name, but you really don't have what it takes to be a true Viking. You're not a belligerent person by nature, which is unfortunate if you want to be a Viking. You're not a very fearsome fighter; in fact, you'd probably bleed to death if a sword hit your shadow.
You would have a very tough time making a long sea voyage in a Viking longboat. Vikings make fun of you all the time. Not always behind your back, either.
You have a fairly pragmatic attitude towards life, and tend not to expend effort in areas where it would be wasted. You sometimes come off as a bit of a snob. Vikings are not snobbish people -- they either like you, or they kill you. Try to be more like a Viking.
Frannie = Friðgerðr Shieldflattener
Viking Personality: You're a fearsome Viking, but you aren't completely uncivilized. The other Vikings make fun of you for that. You are strong and tireless, frequently shouldering burdens that would tire lesser women. You might be able to hold your own on the battlefield, but you're no "berserker".
You might grumble a bit at the lack of amenities on board a Viking longboat, but you can handle it. Other Vikings tolerate your presence, though they're not quite sure if they can trust you to fight dirty.
You have a fairly pragmatic attitude towards life, and tend not to expend effort in areas where it would be wasted. Other people tend to think of you as manipulative and conniving.
Manipulative and conniving .. I think I like that :o)
My Viking name is: Idunn Wetpants
Your Viking Personality: The other Vikings let you come on raids with them, but only because they think it's hilarious to watch you try to handle a sword. You're not a belligerent person by nature, which is unfortunate if you want to be a Viking. You're not a very fearsome fighter; in fact, you'd probably bleed to death if a sword hit your shadow.
If you ever tried to make a voyage in a Viking longboat, you would die. Either from seasickness, or from your shipmates throwing you overboard into shark-infested waters. Other Vikings tolerate your presence, though they're not quite sure if they can trust you to fight dirty.
People tend to treat you like a doormat, generally because they know they can get away with it. Other Vikings would be calling you "tree-hugging hippie peacenik" if the phrase had been invented.
Dufniall Quickhand
The other Vikings might let me on the boat..if they need ballast!
Great info on those 'bloody Vikings' who deserve a fair shake and a decent burial because afterall they were so instrumental in the development of our language and wealth redistribution practices!
I would be interested to know if there are any Viking Movies that you like (without Tony Curtis) the 13th Warrior?
The 13th Warrior is a good flick. I liked it quite a bit.
Let us not forget the greatest viking contribution to modern society: Viking Metal band, Amon Amarth.
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