For three centuries, the Vikings changed the political world of northern and western Europe. This encyclopedia explores exactly how they did it in a highly readable and informative resource volume. How did the Vikings know when to strike? What were their military strengths? Who were their leaders? What was the impact of their raids? These and many more questions are answered in this volume, which will benefit students and general readers alike. The only encyclopedia devoted specifically to the topic of conflict, invasions, and raids in the Viking Age, this book presents detailed coverage of the Vikings, who are infamous for their violent marauding across Europe during the early Middle Ages. Featuring extracts of poetry and prose from the Viking Age, the book provides cultural context in addition to an in-depth analysis of Viking military practices.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Chronology Essays Sources about the Vikings Vikings at Home Exploration and Expansion Weaponry and Warfare The Way of the Warrior A–Z Entries Anglesey Sound, Battle of Ashdown, Battle of Assandun, Battle of Asselt, Siege of Baltic, Vikings in Berserks Blood-eagle, Carving of Blood Feuds Brunanburh, Battle of Burial Practices and Mounds Buttington, Battle of Chippenham, Battle of Clontarf, Battle of Coins and Mints Comics and Cartoons about Vikings Computer and Video Games about Vikings Constantinople, Siege of Danegeld Danelaw Denmark Duels Eddic Poetry Edington, Battle of England, Vikings in Faroe Islands Films and Television Shows about Vikings Finland, Vikings in Fortifications Fortresses Francia, Vikings in Frisia, Vikings in Fulford, Battle of Fyrisvellir, Battle of Glenmama, Battle of Gotland Great Heathen Army Hacksilver Hastings, Battle of Hebrides, Vikings in Helgeå, Battle of Hoards Hostages Iceland Ireland, Vikings in Islamic World, Vikings in Islandbridge, Battle of Isle of Man, Vikings in Italy, Vikings in Jomsvikings Land Battles Language Laws and Legislature Leuven, Battle of Levy (Leidang) Maldon, Battle of Military Tactics Mythical-Heroic Sagas Naval Battles Navigation and Sailing Techniques Niså, Battle of Normandy Norway Orkney Islands, Vikings in Picture Stones Rape Raven Banner Reading, Battle of Religion, Pagan Scandinavian Religious Conflict Runes Russia, Vikings in Sagas of Icelanders Sámi, Norse Contact with Sasireti, Battle of Scotland, Vikings in Shetland Islands Shield-Maidens Ships and Shipbuilding Sieges Skaldic Poetry Social Classes Spain, Vikings in Stamford Bridge, Battle of Stiklestad, Battle of Svold, Battle of Sweden Tara, Battle of Towns Trade and Trade Routes Transport Valhalla Valkyries Varangian Guard Viking, Etymology of Viking Age, Causes of Viking Age, Definition of Viking Art Viking Hoaxes Vikings, Attitudes toward Women York, Battle of Notable People Aella, King Aethelred the Unready, King Alfred the Great, King Björn Ironside Charlemagne, Emperor Charles the Bald, Emperor Charles the Fat, Emperor Charles the Simple, King Cnut the Great, King Cnut, St., King Edmund Ironside, King Edmund, St., King Edward the Elder, King Egil Skallagrimsson Emma of Normandy Eric Bloodaxe, King Eric of Hladir, Earl Godfred, King Guthrum, King Harald Bluetooth Gormsson, King Harald Fairhair Halfdanarson, King Harald Hardruler Sigurdsson, King Hardacnut, King Harold Godwinson, King Harold Harefoot, King Ingolf Arnarson Ivar the Boneless Magnus Barefoot Olafsson, King Olaf Haraldsson, King Olaf Tryggvason, King Olof Skötkonung, King Ragnar Lodbrok Rorik Sihtric Silkbeard Olafsson, King Sven Forkbeard Haraldsson, King Thorkel the Tall Weland William the Conqueror, Duke Yngvar the Far-traveler Glossary Bibliography Index