A witty and concise look at the beginnings of English history, when the nation consolidated after clashes between the Saxons and invading Vikings--now in paperback! In 871, three of England's four kingdoms were overrun by Vikings, the ruthless, all-conquering Scandinavian raiders who terrorized early medieval Europe. With the Norsemen murdering one king with arrows and torturing another to death by ripping out his lungs, the prospects that faced the kingdom of Wessex were bleak. Worse still, the Saxons were now led by a young man barely out of his teens who was more interested in God than fighting. Yet within a decade Alfred—the only English king known as the Great—had driven the Vikings out of half of England, and his children and grandchildren would unite the country a few years later. This period, popular with fans of television shows such as Vikings and The Last Kingdom, saw the creation of England as a nation-state, with Alfred laying down the first national law code, establishing an education system and building cities. Saxons vs. Vikings also covers the period before Alfred, including ancient Britain, the Roman occupation, and the Dark Ages, explaining important historical episodes such as Boudicca, King Arthur, and Beowulf. Perfect for newcomers to the subject, this is the second title in the new A Very, Very Short History of England series. If you’re trying to understand England and its history in the most informative and entertaining way possible, this is the place to start.
The study of Old Norse Religion is a truly multidisciplinary and international field of research. The rituals, myths and narratives of pre-Christian Scandinavia are investigated and interpreted by archaeologists, historians, art historians, historians of religion as well as scholars of literature, onomastics and Scandinavian studies. For obvious reasons, these studies belong to the main curricula in Scandinavia but are also carried out at many other universities in Europe, the United States and Australia a fact that is evident to any reader of this book. In order to bring this broad and varied field of research together, an international conference on Old Norse religion was held in Lund in June 2004. About two hundred delegates from more than fifteen countries took part. The intention was to gather researchers to encourage and improve scholarly exchange and dialogue, and Old Norse religion in long-term perspectives presents a selection of the proceedings from that conference. The 75 contributions elucidate topics such as worldview and cosmology, ritual and religious practice, myth and memory as well as the reception and present-day use of Old Norse religion. The main editors of this volume have directed the multidisciplinary research project Roads to Midgard since 2000. The project is based at Lund University and funded by the Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation.
Viking-Age trade, network theory, silver economies, kingdom formation, and the Scandinavian raiding and settlement of Ireland and Britain are all popular subjects. However, few have looked for possible connections between these phenomena, something this book suggests were closely related. By allying Blomkvist’s network-kingdoms with Sindbæk’s nodal market-networks, it is argued that the political and economic character of Viking-Age Britain and Ireland – my ‘Insular Scandinavia’ – is best understood if Dublin and Jórvík are seen as being established as nodes of a market-based network-kingdom. Based on a dataset relating to the then developing bullion economies of the central and eastern Scandinavian worlds and southern Scandinavia in particular, it is argued that war-band leaders from, or familiar with, ‘Danish’ markets like Hedeby and Kaupang transposed to Insular Scandinavia the concept of polities based on establishment of markets and the protection of routeways between them. Using this book, readers can think of interlinked Dublin and Great Army elites creating an Insular version of a Danish-style nodal market kingdom based on commerce and silver currencies. A Viking Market Kingdom in Ireland and Britain will help specialist researchers and students of Viking archaeology make connections between southern Scandinavia and the market economy of the Uí Ímair (‘descendants of Ívarr’) operating out of the twin nodes of Dublin and Jórvík via the initial establishment of Hiberno-Scandinavian longphuirt and the related winter-camps of the Viking Great Army.
The bestselling Journey to the West comic book by artist Chang Boon Kiat is now back in a brand new fully coloured edition. Journey to the West is one of the greatest classics in Chinese literature. It tells the epic tale of the monk Xuanzang who journeys to the West in search of the Buddhist sutras with his disciples, Sun Wukong, Sandy and Pigsy. Along the way, Xuanzang's life was threatened by the diabolical White Bone Spirit, the menacing Red Child and his fearsome parents and, a host of evil spirits who sought to devour Xuanzang's flesh to attain immortality. Bear witness to the formidable Sun Wukong's (Monkey God) prowess as he takes them on, using his Fiery Eyes, Golden Cudgel, Somersault Cloud, and quick wits! Be prepared for a galloping read that will leave you breathless!
A radically new interpretation of two medieval Icelandic tales, known as the Vinland sagas, considering what the they reveal about native peoples, and how they contribute to the debate about whether Leif Eiriksson or Christopher Columbus should be credited as the first "discoverer" of America.
Popular Tales from the Norse by Asbjørnsen, Moe, and Dasent: This collection of enchanting Norse folktales brings readers into the world of mythical creatures, daring heroes, and magical adventures. Asbjørnsen, Moe, and Dasent, eminent folklore collectors, have compiled these captivating tales that continue to resonate with readers of all ages. Key Aspects of the Book "Popular Tales from the Norse": Norse Folklore: The book offers a treasure trove of authentic Norse folklore, providing insight into the cultural heritage of the region. Mythical Creatures and Heroes: Readers will encounter a diverse array of mythical beings and heroic figures, each with their own compelling stories. Timeless Appeal: These timeless tales have transcended generations, captivating readers with their enduring charm and universal themes. Asbjørnsen, Moe, and Dasent were renowned Norwegian folklorists and writers who played a significant role in preserving and sharing the rich tradition of Norse folklore. Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe, both born in Norway in the early 19th century, collaborated on collecting and retelling traditional Norwegian folktales. Sir George Webbe Dasent, a British translator and historian, played a crucial role in making these tales accessible to a broader international audience. Their collective efforts have immortalized the captivating stories of Norse mythology.
This fairytale book is a collection of stories from Norse mythology intended for children. Tales included are The Cock, the Cuckoo, and the Black-Cock, Princess on the Glass Hill, and The Giant Who Had No Heart in His Body.
An exploration of how the image and idea of the dragon has evolved through history How did the dragon get its wings? Everyone in the modern West has a clear idea of what a dragon looks like and of the sorts of stories it inhabits, not least devotees of the fantasies of J. R. R. Tolkien, J. K. Rowling, and George R. R. Martin. A cross between a snake and some fearsome mammal, often sporting colossal wings, they live in caves, lie on treasure, maraud, and breathe fire. They are extraordinarily powerful, but even so, ultimately defeated in their battles with humans. What is the origin of this creature? The Dragon in the West is the first serious and substantial account in any language of the evolution of the modern dragon from its ancient forebears. Daniel Ogden's detailed exploration begins with the drakōn of Greek myth and the draco of the dragon-loving Romans, and a look at the ancient world's female dragons. It brings the story forwards though Christian writings, medieval illustrated manuscripts, and the lives of dragon-duelling saints, before concluding with a study of dragons found in the medieval Germanic world, including those of the Anglo-Saxon Beowulf and the Norse sagas.
Primarily based on the genetic findings, backed by the archeological, historical, linguistic facts and testimonies of the ancient scholars, historians, and geographers, this work brings a fresh perspective into a stagnated view of the Turkic nations and their past. The book has an abundance of new discoveries about many historical facts and artifacts, including the Median text of the Behistun inscription, the ancient Armenians and their Phrygian language, the origins of Alexander the Great, Hercules, and Achilles, the participants of the Trojan War. The research provides an extensive analysis of the ancient Turkic alphabet in comparison to 19 other ancient scripts, and puts in full display Turkic symbols, called Tamga, detected worldwide from Gobekli Tepe to Native American artifacts, and discusses the true architects of the Kurgan culture that became a worldwide cultural phenomenon. CONTENTS: Preface. VOLUME 1. Chapter I. §1. The biblical origins of the Turkic nations. §2. The ancient Turkic nation of Az and the biblical land of Uz. §3. The biblical Tyrians and the Medes are the ancient Turks. §4. The Turkic origin of the biblical Hittites, the Kheta, the Khitai of Central Asia and China. §5. The Akkadians, the Sumerians, the Susians, the Kassites, the Caanites – the Turkic nations of biblical proportions. §6. The biblical Philistines' ties to the Turkic nations. Chapter II. §1. The Turkic pedigree of the Arian nations. §2. The Turkic origin of Odin–the god of all gods. §3. Troy, the same as Asgard–the ancient land of the Turks. §4. The Turkic nations— Az, Asir, Azeri, and Azerbaijanis. §5. The striking similarities between the Germanic and Turkic peoples. Chapter III. §1. The Tatars and the Mongols are closely related to each other Turkic nations. §2. The genetic research that established the Turkic forefather of a billion humans worldwide. Chapter IV. §1. The Medes and Media. §2. The Turkic names of the Median cities with the capital of Media–Agbatana. §3. The nations and tribes of Media. §4. The Turkic names of the Medes. §5. The Median language of Turkic origin–the analysis based on the Behistun inscription. §6. 65 grammatical pointers, attesting that Median was a Turkic language. Chapter V. §1. The Scythians and Scythian tribes. §2. The primary Scythian tribes, located in Scythia. §3. The As tribe and its derivatives. §4. The Sacai and their derivative tribes. §5. The Parthians, the Bactrians, and their subsidiary tribes. §6. The Huns. §7. The Sarmatai and the Sarmatian tribes, including the Turcae. §8. The Getai family. §9. The Celts, the Gauls, the Iberians, and the Germanic tribes. §9-1. The Celtic, the Iberian, the Kelto-Scythian tribes and nations. §9-2. The Gauls, aka the Galliae, aka the Galli. §9-3. The Germanic tribes. §10. The Thracians. VOLUME 2. §11. The Trojan nations. §11-1. The Dardanii and the Illyrian tribes. §11-2. The Teucri and their derivatives. §11-3. The Leleges and their derivatives. §11-3-1. 45 grammatical pointers, attesting that Etruscan was a Turkic language. §11-4. The Phrygians and their derivative tribes. §11-4-1. The lexico-grammatical similarities between the Phrygian and the Turkic languages. §11-4-2. 37 grammatical pointers, attesting that Phrygian was a Turkic language. §11-4-3. The Phrygian tribes: the Berecyntes, Cerbesii, Peloponnesians, Dorians, Leucadians, Lacedemonians, Armenians. §11-5. The Pelasgi and their posterity. §11-5.1. Pelasgian cities and districts. §11-5.2. Pelasgian origins of Theseus, Hercules, Achilles, and Alexander the Great. §11-5-3. Pelasgian mythology and pantheon of gods. §11-5-4. The Turkic word Tatar or Tartar, used by the Greeks, Romans, Hittites, Armenians. §11-6. The Solymi, Milyae, Termilae, Lycians, Xanthioi, Aphneii. §11-7. The Paphlagonians, Cauconians, Mariandyni, Ligues, Matienoi, Cappadocians, Heneti. §11-8. The Halizones, Chalybes, Armenochalybes, Amazones. §11-9. The Cilicians, or Hypachaeans, Tracheiotae, Pisidians, Selgeis, Sagalasseis, Clitae. §11-10. The DNA results connect the Trojans, the Scythians, the Etruscans, the Turrenians, the Pelasgians to the Turkic nations. Chapter VI. The ancient Turkic alphabet and its close similarity to the Pelasgian, Lydian, Lycian, Phrygian, Carian, Etruscan, Scythian scripts. Chapter VII. §1. The ancient Turkic tamgas. §2. The political tamgas, indicating statehood, the level of independence of a state, and its subjects. §3. The religious tamgas, indicating mystical, magical, spiritual signs. §4. The tamgas, indicating military and state attributes. §5. The tamgas, representing nature and animals. Chapter VIII. §1. The Turkic Nations in the Americas. §2. The names of the Native American Tribes that have a Turkic origin. §3. Religion and the kurgan building culture of the Native Americans. §4. The geographical names of Turkic origin in the Americas. §5. The Turkic etymology of the Mayan vocabulary. §6. The Native American words of Turkic origin. §7. The Turkic tamgas, petroglyphs and Native American artifacts.
