i dont want them to be the Napoleon channel. LOVE the Napoleon content. just dont want it to be the only thing they cover. the Suez crisis, History of Russia, there's some good stuff here
Yes I agree there’s been only napoleon for 1 year he’s been doing napoleon throughout all his channel it’s still REALLY COOL but I don’t want just napoleon in his channel.And anyway eventually it will die.
I mean with Finishing the marshals the only thing needed left for Napoleon would be the Italian campaign (17/19 battles won so only a couple could be covered in detail) Marengo, and possibly Egypt, acre I would have loved to seek a video on Napoleons domestic reforms which probe him not the typical dictator, but don’t think ehtv would bother
Vikings also believed dying to be an honor, they believed they would join Odin in Valhalla if they died on the battlefield. So in reality, they were fighting people who viewed dying in battle as a reward.
This is so refreshing. You aren’t talking over the professor. You aren’t barraging him with questions. You’re just letting him talk about something he’s clearly very passionate about. This is how history should be presented: in its most authentic form.
@@bombarded15I love how ppl can really be like, no that's not real, obviously fake BUT then it's like o well we found out this was true and this and that and not start to just believe that these aren't stories lol. Maybe ppl really were taking notes and possibly embellishing a few details or just getting them wrong.
@@B.V.Luminous Is that why hey avoided France for 2 years after being defeated at Leuven and England for 10 years after they were deafeted near Jarrow?
@@crazeeaz Attacking monasteries and defenseless fishing villages was very heroic indeed, too bad they usually were completely destroyed when they faced other warriors.
There is a line in the movie "The 13th Warrior" that seems fitting for the Viking attitude to dying: "The All-Father wove the skein of your life a long time ago. Go and hide in a hole if you wish, but you won't live one instant longer. Your fate is fixed. Fear profits a man nothing" Also I really enjoyed this video, will be looking at more from this channel :-)
Just wanted to put it out there that Tom Shippey isn't just a professor, he's also a Tolkien expert. He worked very closely with Peter Jackson to make sure the Lord of the Rings movies were accurate to the books
It's incredibly badass that you've got all of these brutal myths about vikings, and they sound incredibly far fetched, but they really were just that brutal.
Man, the narrator, Tom Shippey, must be descended from the Vikings he spoke of: wry, animated, dramatic, able to relate the dark, violent humor of the tales. I really like him. He's an old man, now, but retains youthful energy and spirit. It's always my hope that ther're new generations that come up to take over from our precious historians and scholars as they leave us.
He's clearly descended from the Anglo-Saxons who fought off the Vikings. You could tell he wanted Harold Godwinson to beat both Harald Hardraade and William the Conqueror. =P
I think I am descended from vikings because I have three patronymic surnames in my family, one of them is Norman, and I think the other two might be Anglo Saxons but if I am descended from vikings they were likely from Denmark
@@j.k.stringer192 Eh, depending on where he's from in England there could be pretty heavy Danish admixture. The scientific term for the native inhabitants of North-Eastern England is "Anglo-Scandinavian" Or "Anglo-Norse" Due to the heavy genetic and linguistic admixture brought by the invading Danes.
"When it comes to Vikings, you can kill them, and speaking as English men, we did... over there! But frighten them...? that's not gonna work. They're always going to come back at you. You're not safe until the last one of them is dead". I would listen to Tom Shippey for hours.
Really, then where are these true Christians you speak of? Is it the ones in the Vatican state in Rome maybe? The same thats been molesting children for who knows how long. How brave indeed. Faith is exactly what a conman need you to have in ordner to scam you.
In an alternative version of the story, Vøggr is brought before the king in his throne room and is asked to swear allegiance to him- the sword being held by the king towards Vøggr. Vøggr then pretends to give in to the request by saying "where I am from, we don't swear by the blade, we swear by the hilt." The king then turns the sword over so that the hilt is turned towards Vøggr who then grabs it and runs him through, pinning him to his seat. This version has a bit more of that "Viking-wit" to it in my opinion.
After killing Horvath he walked fearlessly to meet his victim's men, and laughingly cried aloud the name of Hrolf Kraki as they cut him to pieces ... HeghIu'meh QaQ jajvam! (Klingon: "Today is a good day to die!")
@@roms_hut3639 Talking in verse is the Viking equivalent of phrasing a speech to consist of 30 second sound bites that will be quoted in every mass media then known or yet to be invented. Most US presidents have done the latter.
@@hord81 How interesting! I know Bergen, I was there years ago. I have visited in Norway, been there about 11 times, by driving with my own car ( the best way to travel, if you want to learn the country, I think). I have traveled a lot, but Norway is by far the most exotic, beautiful countries there is, those snowy majestic mountains,Waterfalls, Omg so majestic. I have traveled norway from south to north, from east to west. The scenery is unlike anything I have ever seen.
Just like the USA election process or a stuffed animal claw vending machine. The machine decides whether you will win a chubby bearded obese hairy Wizard or spend your money on nothing as soon as the coin is registered, before you reach for the joystick.
Actually the Gods lack the power to control destiny that power lays within the essence of the 3 sisters. Just as Freya knows how to stop Odin "Wodan""Wodaz""Wotan" death it is only a temporary fix a small avoidance because it will return until balance of the only possible outcome happens.
I grew up in Denmark and I can tell you that even to this day, we do love our "galgenhumor" - gallow's humour. I guess it's still in our cultural memory
I’m a 55 y/o woman with a significant percentage of Swedish ancestry; my maternal grandfather and his (large) family emigrated to the USA shortly after his birth, so I’ve grown up in America, of course…but I get and always have gotten a lot of 💩for my “negative” outlook and dark sense of humor. I have often wondered if such things can be partly genetic as well as just picking up on cultural bits that linger. My family wholeheartedly embraced their new country but mannerisms hang on even as they dilute and morph through the generations. I’m also very stubborn and, seemingly, a natural born skeptic. Not sure how much that’s down to any Scandinavian heritage.😂 I liked this video very much. 🤘🏼✌🏼🙂
"The piggies would grunt if they knew how the old boar suffered". This has got to be one of the most badass things ever to be said before your are killed.
This is exactly what the Ragnar in Vikings says right before he dies the same way. It makes me feel good they paid attention to at least some historical detail in that show because I love it.
As a swede who is very interested in this period of history it’s always irritating seeing videos about vikings because most of them are false. But this one feels very genuine and I very much like the professor as well so I must say I’m very happy to finally come over a video about vikings where they have actually done their research. A thumbs up from me
Agreed. They're almost all from Norways west coast in tv and movies, because looks better I guess. Way too heavily armoured and brutish. Like this video points out it was just as much swedes and danes, and armour were scarce on vikings. Skål fra Norge
@@doubleMify Im sorry but what, media portray Vikings as heavily armored? I'm sorry but almost every single show lately shows them running around with BDSM leather fetisch gear. While in reality we KNOW that Scandinavian warriors did infact use chainmails, and iron helmets, not some black leather chestpiece.
@Axel Lundgren det jag menar är att många program men speciellt youtube videos om vikingar oftast bara går på legend samt hittar på mycket också. Ett vanligt exempel är att man beskriver Ivar Benlös som en person som inte kunde gå när det är mer troligt att han hade benskörhet, var väldigt vig, kunde inte få stånd eller en blandning av alla tre. Hoppas det hjälpte
@@doubleMify I’m agreeing whit you regarding the part where Viking from Sweden especially are often overlooked completely. Many programs also don’t mention all of Scandinavia’s presence in Constantinople or that it was Vikings that first funded a kingdom in modern day Russia that would developed into the Russia we all know and hate today. Skål på dig också
I cannot imagine something much scarier than viking men rushing to their deaths weapon in hand as they know they will die. Considering their beliefs that dont want to die without a fight. So a wounded viking is probably even scarier. That's a man who knows he'll die but wanna make the most of it. Thats a man who will make it his mission to take people with him to the grave.
It is the same man that was in the Tolkien documentary on RUclips (A study of the maker of middle earth...look at 2:55). He used to be a professor at Leeds university. I recognized his voice and presence immediately, even though that documentary 30-40 years old. Fabulous man.
Exactly! He loves it,even tho hes english. I myself love that the whole world comes together on viking legends,tv shows etc as much as a swede like me.
Im from Iceland, and we are tought this in school. We also can read Old Norse, as its very similar to Icelandic so the old text he is reading is almost as I would read Icelandic text today. Great video very high production value, well done!
I am from Norway, and have studied a little Old Norse at the university. It is very different from modern Norwegian, actually. Sure there are many similar words, but the grammar is very complicated, compared to Norwegian. Norwegian as of today is a "childrens" language compared to Icelandic or Old Norse. I envy you your language, it is very beautiful. My family is from western Norway, so I assume some of my ancestors emigrated to Iceland and settled there, so it is a comfort to know that we share a bit of the same DNA! Iceland rules!
I thought you all were taught about infinite gender spectrum and differences between human species of he,she and zhur good to know there are some Scandinavian countries that haven't yet become S*hit
My God! What an absolutely astonishing man the Professor is ! He is a western treasure! The discipline, dedication and singular love he has applied to enriching the world to times and places we can scarcely fathom ,a thank you from a remote student in the wilds of Texas seems scarcely noteworthy yet with the greatest humility I bow my head in thanks and gratitude for the lifetime invested in bringing these treasured nuggets of history forth. With Profound respect, Michael Weeks, San Antonio Texas ( from Devonshire a scant 12 generations or so).
@@sheadoherty7434 Yeah, Im gonna go out on a limb and say that its going to suck. Diversity hires, lesbians and gays, and ofcourse, as always, highly historically inacurate. Thats how they spoiled Vikings, so why on earth would they not do it again?
22:50 "... you can kill 'em, as we did! But frighten them? That's not gonna work. They're always goin' to come back at you. You're not safe until the very last one of them is dead." Gave me chills...
@Herr Spiegel kings and generals is great if that’s all u do when you watch RUclips. Usually I watch RUclips while doing something else but kings and generals just has so much information so fast so it’s hard to pick up
@@Conorp77 it depends on the subject, if you go to naval actions i think they're overshadowed by drachinifel (to be fair this is the only thing he does)
I've been studying Vikings for quite some time, and I can point out to the fact that the expert interpreted it well about Viking's attitude to death. Vikings of long ago had a belief that only those who die in the battlefield will have the opportunity to enter Valhalla and drink with Odin himself. That warrior will be carried up by Valkyries (beautiful women with wings) and his souls will be welcomed at the hall of the gods. Of course, modern society thinks of this as a funny religious belief but people of long ago are very religious like all Christianity and Islam. This goes to show that Vikings welcome death with pride and honor, as they believe they will be reborn in the afterlife and enjoy a feast with the gods. Given such strong belief, they can't probably feel fear at all. This is the advantage they had that turned them into fearless beasts, but it's all folly in today's times.
i can add to your study then. vikings saw their lives as passed on when having children and they lived on trough their children. this is what the rolling wheel of fire is all about and the children would be led into to the mounds of their ancestors.
@@boek2777 They can in Valhalla, where they fight all day and fiest all night on the flesh of a magic pig that heals instantly as each piece is cut from it.
This is such a wonderful little documentary. I love the history of the Vikings. Please make more documentaries about the Vikings! And bring back this historian! You can really tell he has a passion for his studies.
Vikings were similar almost to Spartans where they were raised to be warriors from birth and on a cultural level they believed there was nothing more honorable than dying in combat. When you can condition a soldier to literally not fear death, they will not be subject to things that would rout other men. They genuinely fear nothing because they're having a good time in the present life but honestly cannot wait to find out what's in store for them in Valhalla.
Also in 1066 with Harold, there was a small bridge they had to retreat from, and one single bearsark stayed and fended off the English with a Dane axe for almost 3 or so hours. The only way they even killed him was they snuck under the bridge and stuck him in the groin with a spear
As someone who grew up with these stories, I feel like a big thing that many people miss is the aspect of fatalism. Not even the gods can know when the Norns will cut a man's thread. It seems only reasonable that a man won't die until he's meant to, at the set time and in the set way that fate dictates, so there's nothing to get fussed about. A man who truly believes this would fight without fear because he'll be killed only if fate says he will and, if he is, there's no point in making the story of his death a boring one. Of course they're just stories and it's likely that the skalds played up this fatalist courage but it's still something to think about.
The way that we were taught of Tormod Kolbrunarskalds's death in high school goes something like this: He died at the battle of Stiklestad, shot by an arrow to his chest. With his last breath, he made a poem, in which he said: "The king has fed me well, for the roots of my heart grows deep in fat" while he was pulling the arrow out of his heart. I have checked, and it's written pretty much how we were taught it. In the "Heimskringla" by Snorre Sturlason, there is a Saga about Olav The Holy. I searched it online, and I read the passage of his death. Tormod is not instantly killed by the arrow on the battlefield, and he is not standing while he is pulling it out. A female healer is trying to heal him after the battle by making him eat a smelly porridge of onions and herbs. Why the smell? Because she didn't know how bad the wound was, and wanted to check if she could smell the onions coming out of his intestines. The arrowhead was stuck so far into his chest that they she couldn't pull it out with a tong alone. The arrowhead had hooks in it. Tormod said he would pull it out with her help. When the arrowhead loosened, the hooks had pulled parts of his heart out. Some of it was flesh, some of it was fat/tallow. When he saw this, he was lying down when he helped to pull the arrow out. This is the moment he made the poem. Harald Hardråde is not mentioned to have finished his poem. How the professor have gotten this information, I have no idea.
Tom Shippey is one of the world's foremost experts on the subject. He has spent a lifetime researching it, translating, reading, analysing and cross referencing original texts, and lecturing at universities including Oxford and Harvard. That is how he got information that is not taught in high school!
@@mikefuleTormod Kolbrunarskald does feature in a couple of Icelandic sagas that I haven't read, but even assuming this non-Snorre account is from one of them, it is at best strange of the professor to give a different account than Snorres. We aren't even sure there was a battle at Stiklestad, so by asserting there was you are pretty much asserting the Snorre version of events. Also the Snorre version is possibly the single most stoic death scenes from the sagas, so it's omission is very strange. Almost seems like he wants to namedrop Harald Hardråde for no other reason
The reality is that there are two different saga versions on Tormod Kolbrunarskald's death. One of them is in the Kings' sagas(Heimskringla), and here he dies as you say and where he says "The king has fed us well as I am still fat around the roots of my heart." before he dies. The second one is in The Saga of the Sworn Brothers(Fóstbrœðra saga) where his death happens as Tom Shippey tells it. I am totally sure that Tom Shippey knows about both stories of his death and that he either forget to tell about it, thought it was not so important or it was edited out. And we can say one thing for sure about Tormod Kolbrunarskald. Very few men in history have been given two heroic death scenes. And there are no doubts at all that he really lived and he was no man from fiction, even if the claimed poetry at his death, most likely is fiction.
"I might die but I will laugh some how about what pain I may trick you into receiving" is my take away from this. A viking spirt lives in everyone that has ever had an enemy.
There are stil a similar mindset in Finland. It's called "sisu". You go on, despite bad odds. A "madness" to do the impossible or die trying. But without the sarcastic humor. Something more like John Wick. Pure will and commitment.
The professor they interview is really amusing to listen to. I would love to drink a beer with him and listen to him talk about all the stuff he has been studying about the vikings.
I did once sit down with him for a drink and talk about all these things ("whisky, no ice, with a bit of water on the side"), and all I can say is you are absolutely right. Unforgettable evening. 👍
All I can say is wow. This video is amazing. The editing, storytelling, the guest scholar, it's all wonderfully done. I find it hard to believe that I'm watching a YT video by the quality of the vid. I just wished you made more Viking content because they truly are fascinating.
I like how you all combined the normal format and the format with the professor explaining combined, he is a treasure and we most protect him at all costs
This is what I love about being British, the diverse history of us and the rest of Europe. We’re all linked somewhere down the line the heritage of this continent is literally epic!
Another brilliant enlightening video from EpicHistoryTV, THE BEST CHANNEL ON RUclips 100%. Thank you so much because your content is free and amazing, so much better than TV, strongly considering become patreon, thanks for the great work. Keep it up!
I'll never forget, when I was about to move abroad, the last thing my uncle said to me was, ”remember, it doesn't matter if you die, what matters is how many of the MFers you take with you.” pretty much summed up my heritage right there.
I'd be frustrated at my king if he released and congratulated the dude who was responsible for slicing off my hands... Just throwing that in there, great video as always, and happy new Year.
If true, and given the lack of medical care at the time, he likely died on the spot. Just one major artery split open in your arm can kill you in less then two minutes.
@@tbirdguy1 I was going to point the same thing out barring a situation where they could very quickly apply already hot steal to it he's going to bleed out in seconds
That scene with the Jomsvikings is hilarious situational humor, you can't beat that. But Tom Shippey is great despite being born an Englishman. Defending Tolkien's works as great literature and having real insight into Scandinavian history. He walks that great golden middle road of not being too simplistic nor too elitist.
Great video, and really like how you tied the events of 1066 together, that often gets overlooked. Tom Shippey is a treasure and his life's work should be cherished. All too often we trample on things that are inconvenient or no longer "cool" but thankfully he got to see the resurgence of interest in Viking culture, even if it wasn't perfectly done. And his work with LOTR...he made sure that Rohan was represented with the Viking spirit that Tolkien imbued them with...in spite of big hollywood.
@@therabman_5606 Oh, I'm sure. I'm almost certain they weren't just mindless idiots charging into a helpless battle unless it were a last stand/no hope kind of situation. I always thought Vikings valued Fame & Glory as much as they did Death & Valhalla
@@Twxvkvr in Bernard Cornwell's brilliant Saxon Stories books (made into a great TV show called The Last Kingdom), the Lead character Uhtred (himself born a Saxon noble raised by Norse chieftain) always made a point to say that the Danes and Norsemen hated losing men worse than anything.
The ability for Vikings to take the harshness of reality in such stride is admirable. Facing death is one thing, but to face *brutality* with a smile and a joke, it fills me with envy.
I need a bit of help tracking down a story. I remember reading a short description of a tale from (I believe) Viking mythology. It was about two rivals (brothers I think). One kidnaps the other and tortures him to death. From the perspective of the listener, the victim is seen as the victor in the conflict because despite his pain, he refuses to cry out. In fact, I believe he laughs as he is being disemboweled-- no matter how much he suffers, he refuses to acknowledge it. It was portrayed as a peek into the Viking value of an unbreakable will and sense of dark humor in the face of death. Maybe I am confused on the origin, but it is definitely a tale from Western Europe. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Great video by the way. You got my subscription.
The viking spirit also persisted long after the viking age. King Magnus Barefoot raided and conquered in Scotland, Man, Wales and Ireland. He got sovereignty over Anglsey and probably Gwynned after accidentally defeating the invading Normans there. He was ultimately killed by a ambush in Ireland after being reckless. Before his death his men said he should be more cautious he said "Kings are made for honour, not for long life" The Norwegian crusade led by King Snorri I was also basically a long viking raid, on the way to Jerusalem they raided in Iberia and the Balearic Islands, the earliest recorded attacks on the Muslim Balearic Islands by a Christian force.
@@filipkiseloski Norsemen is the Netflix series... and I'd say, even if it is a comedy series, it is much more historically accurate and a lot funnier than that milk-drinker show.
I really like to see a Vikings series similar to this at some point and some of the historical basis of the Viking Saga like Vinland or even the Viking invasions of Britain and Europe. That would be cool to see.
My ancestors didnt steal from the monks, the building was on fire and they took the gold & silver to keep it from getting damaged ;-) They were very thoughtful people
They forgot the nameless Viking berserker who held off the whole English army on Stamford bridge single handedly. It’s said that he killed like 50+ men before he was speared in the groin by an Englishmen who snuck under the bridge and thrust his spear up through the boards of the bridge hitting said berserker in the groin and ending most likely the last great Viking berserker…. And we don’t even know his name…I’m sure someone back then knew his name but was killed shortly after the berserker.
The best short and to the point compilation of some Viking history I've seen. Makes you want to learn more about the things he mentioned but didn't fully address.
That historian said so many times that the story was “funny “and then immediately saying “in a way “ so people don’t think he’s crazy 🤣 I think it’s funny too
Ah, but does the notoriously PC BBC understand gallows humor? A shame that he left out the fellow who claimed to be a king’s bastard son, but was accused of being the son of a Christian priest, throwing two spears at a time (as the kingly father had) while yelling, “This is how my father said the Mass!” He died, of course, but he lived on in the tales. Something Trygvasson, I think he was.
Just an incredible channel all around. Right up there with Dan Carlin and TimeGhost. Really hoping for a 30 years war series after the awesome Napoleon series is wrapped up.
I'm Norwegian Swedish Irish and Hungarian. Adopted by a Italian/Sicilian family and my name is also Italian/Sicilian but my real last name would of been Noren. I love learning history and about my Ancestors/people. It's a very rich history.
Your american, thats your distant ancestry. I bet you dont know anything about Norwegian culture or history, please dont go around calling yourself X when in reality ur not really X.
Your american, thats your distant ancestry. I bet you dont know anything about Norwegian culture or history, please dont go around calling yourself X when in reality ur not really X.
That was a brilliant video, well done. I agree with the sentiment of others here that I would gladly replace your videos for what is sadly the current state of The History Channel. I wish you all the best and continued success with your work and please continue providing us with these great videos.
That viking mindset is forever immortalized in skyrim. During the execution when the first stormcloak is about to be executed but they gotta do the sermons before. "Shut up and let's get this over with. Come on i haven't got all morning"
@@brandoncook6190 That "dull greyness and snow" describes winter in the nordic countries to perfection. And don't forget you only get a couple of hours of sunlight, if any
Maybe. But I would love to see their attitude and sense of humor executed on a couple (1000) of our contemporaries. In the true sense and meaning of the word. I’d volunteer.
This historian in the video, Dr./Professor Shippey, is super entertaining to hear speak, I'd love to see more of him. His enthusiasm and real-world interpretation of things often sensationalized was extremely interesting!
The death that would come for a Northman would be a beautiful Walkure/Valkyrie, to take them to Valholl (aka, Valhalla), even after they were Christianized. Of course, they would welcome it, if they could not escape it. Diacritics omitted above by due to laziness and my being on an iPhone, not a proper computer with an Alt or escape key, as the Gods intended.
I spent the first 16 minutes of this video genuinely convinced it was either an older History Channel or Smithsonian channel documentary. Bravo sir, you know very well how to make an entertaining, informative, television worthy production!
The Viking attitute as you call it - cracking jokes, doing pranks og making poems while fighting to the death - is probably why y'all love the Vikings to this day ....... Cheers from one of their 20-times grandchildren from Danmark
Scaldic lore and training should be mentioned here. They were trained to remember the stories of skalds past with a word for word accuracy so it's not surprising the stories are pretty accurate since scalds only changed stories so they would fit better with scaldic rhyme styles
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I really like this guys narration, he doesn’t make horrible noises with his mouth, just speaks crisply
I’m DEAF
just ASLin / SAYin...
He sounds a lot like John Hurt the UK actor Eh!
Yes very good.
I first thought it was 3kliksphilip until I noticed the different accent, really like the voice!
is the 'horrible noises with his mouth' a reference to anyone in particular?
Me: "When will you cover Napoleons campaigns in egypt and northern italy?"
Epic History: "Here you go, a video about Vikings"
Me: "EPIC"
i dont want them to be the Napoleon channel.
LOVE the Napoleon content.
just dont want it to be the only thing they cover.
the Suez crisis, History of Russia, there's some good stuff here
@@RamonesFan201 I agree, if you love history but only want to learn about one subject. You are not learning history.
@@conorflynn6427 True that. But still. I want them to finish napoleon, because napoleon is EPIC.
Yes I agree there’s been only napoleon for 1 year he’s been doing napoleon throughout all his channel it’s still REALLY COOL but I don’t want just napoleon in his channel.And anyway eventually it will die.
I mean with Finishing the marshals the only thing needed left for Napoleon would be the Italian campaign (17/19 battles won so only a couple could be covered in detail) Marengo, and possibly Egypt, acre
I would have loved to seek a video on Napoleons domestic reforms which probe him not the typical dictator, but don’t think ehtv would bother
Fighting against someone who isnt afraid of dying or to some degree even wishes to die is probably the most terrifying opponent you can wish for.
Ergo the saying "The most dangerous person is one who got nothing to lose (their life included)"
@@Turco949 cared?
No
Not if you have the same mindset or even a stronger one
Vikings also believed dying to be an honor, they believed they would join Odin in Valhalla if they died on the battlefield. So in reality, they were fighting people who viewed dying in battle as a reward.
This is so refreshing. You aren’t talking over the professor. You aren’t barraging him with questions. You’re just letting him talk about something he’s clearly very passionate about. This is how history should be presented: in its most authentic form.
Loved it, took me back to my best college classes that were like this!
Word! This was so well paced, I didn’t even take note of it until you pointed it out- that’s how well it flows, and pulls you in to the story
"The professor" is TOM SHIPPEY.. You don't talk over Tom Shippey.
@@bombarded15I love how ppl can really be like, no that's not real, obviously fake BUT then it's like o well we found out this was true and this and that and not start to just believe that these aren't stories lol. Maybe ppl really were taking notes and possibly embellishing a few details or just getting them wrong.
I don't think the voice in the videos is the channel owner's voice.
"He survives...not his fault" has to be the most viking sentence I've ever heard.
I noticed that too. Fault, like he's done something wrong. Love it.
IT IS A GREAT HONOR TO DIE IN BATTLE!!
@@B.V.Luminous Is that why hey avoided France for 2 years after being defeated at Leuven and England for 10 years after they were deafeted near Jarrow?
@@Rauser142 there's a difference in dying well in battle and picking a fight you can't win.
@@crazeeaz Attacking monasteries and defenseless fishing villages was very heroic indeed, too bad they usually were completely destroyed when they faced other warriors.
There is a line in the movie "The 13th Warrior" that seems fitting for the Viking attitude to dying: "The All-Father wove the skein of your life a long time ago. Go and hide in a hole if you wish, but you won't live one instant longer. Your fate is fixed. Fear profits a man nothing"
Also I really enjoyed this video, will be looking at more from this channel :-)
I’m glad you know that movie , one of favorites as a kid. Not a lot of ppl have seen it
@@naturalbornvisionary I have it on DVD and watch it every now and then ;-)
@@widgren87 god bless you man lol
I own Herger's final battle armor from the movie
It’s a free movie in RUclips now, haven’t seen it yet but will!
His narration voice matches every single timeline in history.
Fact
Enjoyed it
His voice IS history...
@@stevenstuart152 Amen
Legit lmao
Just wanted to put it out there that Tom Shippey isn't just a professor, he's also a Tolkien expert. He worked very closely with Peter Jackson to make sure the Lord of the Rings movies were accurate to the books
I knew I recognised him! Thank you.
He must have been on vacation while they were making The Hobbit🤣
@@seancooney297 you could say he went on an Unexpected Journey
@@collinsagyeman6131 "Lead them on Peter, the profit is near. Artistic integrity is no more use here"
@@seancooney297 😂😂😂
It's incredibly badass that you've got all of these brutal myths about vikings, and they sound incredibly far fetched, but they really were just that brutal.
Nah they’re probably far fetched, a lot of what we know of Vikings is from sagas and legends
Doosh
@@Chadius_Thundercock I like to believe they were real cause why not
@@stinky4226 dude Vikings we’re totally real
@@ComedyByAlan I know vikings were real
I'm talking about the exaggerated stories
I want this channel, to replace History Channel’s slot.
I see you alot
There's more then one...
@@napoleonbonapartei7245 Sire,I must warn you respectfully,don't go to Russia.
Absolutely true it should definetely replace the history channel
This channel if it combined with HistoryMarche would dominate all.
Man, the narrator, Tom Shippey, must be descended from the Vikings he spoke of: wry, animated, dramatic, able to relate the dark, violent humor of the tales. I really like him. He's an old man, now, but retains youthful energy and spirit. It's always my hope that ther're new generations that come up to take over from our precious historians and scholars as they leave us.
He's clearly descended from the Anglo-Saxons who fought off the Vikings. You could tell he wanted Harold Godwinson to beat both Harald Hardraade and William the Conqueror. =P
I think I am descended from vikings because I have three patronymic surnames in my family, one of them is Norman, and I think the other two might be Anglo Saxons but if I am descended from vikings they were likely from Denmark
@@Alex_goat-fn literally so many countries use Patronymic names.
@@buffenough8709 true Germany use them too as well as all Scandinavian countries
@@j.k.stringer192 Eh, depending on where he's from in England there could be pretty heavy Danish admixture. The scientific term for the native inhabitants of North-Eastern England is "Anglo-Scandinavian" Or "Anglo-Norse" Due to the heavy genetic and linguistic admixture brought by the invading Danes.
loved hearing him recite those poems. just lovely.
"When it comes to Vikings, you can kill them, and speaking as English men, we did... over there! But frighten them...? that's not gonna work. They're always going to come back at you. You're not safe until the last one of them is dead".
I would listen to Tom Shippey for hours.
Glad someone jotted that down
Lmao I loved that. "You can kill them, and speaking as english men, We did! Over there!" Lol hes so excited
Then you lost to the frogs. 😞
@@charlesmckinley29 Lost to the Northmen, Vikings founded the Duchy of Normandy.
Really, then where are these true Christians you speak of? Is it the ones in the Vatican state in Rome maybe? The same thats been molesting children for who knows how long. How brave indeed.
Faith is exactly what a conman need you to have in ordner to scam you.
I really like how Vöggr stabbed under the armpit, to bypass the armor. It is a small detail, but it shows how much the channel cares.
In an alternative version of the story, Vøggr is brought before the king in his throne room and is asked to swear allegiance to him- the sword being held by the king towards Vøggr. Vøggr then pretends to give in to the request by saying "where I am from, we don't swear by the blade, we swear by the hilt." The king then turns the sword over so that the hilt is turned towards Vøggr who then grabs it and runs him through, pinning him to his seat. This version has a bit more of that "Viking-wit" to it in my opinion.
After killing Horvath he walked fearlessly to meet his victim's men, and laughingly cried aloud the name of Hrolf Kraki as they cut him to pieces ... HeghIu'meh QaQ jajvam! (Klingon: "Today is a good day to die!")
Also your armpits are the largest nerve clusters in you arms, so if you get stabbed in the armpit then your arm is completely useless like forever
@@bradenr867 this man stabs-- I mean what?
@@ishabooo lol
Thank you Tom Shippey for your work here , and also for your dedication to JRR Tolkien through the years. This Tolkien fan appreciates you!
Most definitely, gotta respect this man's nerd grind.
@@kyledabearsfan 🙂
The thought of a Viking king, heading into battle at the head of the front line, while quoting poems about the impending battle, just SO rules.
Not just quoting, literally composing it.
A true warrior king. Not a president who makes a phone call or wave his hands for others to do his bidding.
The Son of this Viking King is the founder of my hometown Bergen in western Norway.
@@roms_hut3639 Talking in verse is the Viking equivalent of phrasing a speech to consist of 30 second sound bites that will be quoted in every mass media then known or yet to be invented. Most US presidents have done the latter.
@@hord81 How interesting! I know Bergen, I was there years ago. I have visited in Norway, been there about 11 times, by driving with my own car ( the best way to travel, if you want to learn the country, I think). I have traveled a lot, but Norway is by far the most exotic, beautiful countries there is, those snowy majestic mountains,Waterfalls, Omg so majestic. I have traveled norway from south to north, from east to west. The scenery is unlike anything I have ever seen.
"Fight well, whether you live or die today its already been decided by the gods!"
Just like the USA election process or a stuffed animal claw vending machine. The machine decides whether you will win a chubby bearded obese hairy Wizard or spend your money on nothing as soon as the coin is registered, before you reach for the joystick.
Actually the Gods lack the power to control destiny that power lays within the essence of the 3 sisters. Just as Freya knows how to stop Odin "Wodan""Wodaz""Wotan" death it is only a temporary fix a small avoidance because it will return until balance of the only possible outcome happens.
I grew up in Denmark and I can tell you that even to this day, we do love our "galgenhumor" - gallow's humour. I guess it's still in our cultural memory
It is the same her in Norway as well.
Swedish and Norwegian blooded and yes I absolutely love it!
I’m a 55 y/o woman with a significant percentage of Swedish ancestry; my maternal grandfather and his (large) family emigrated to the USA shortly after his birth, so I’ve grown up in America, of
course…but I get and always have gotten a lot of 💩for my “negative” outlook and dark sense of humor. I have often wondered if such things can be partly genetic as well as just picking up on cultural bits that linger. My family wholeheartedly embraced their new country but mannerisms hang on even as they dilute and morph through the generations. I’m also very stubborn and, seemingly, a natural born skeptic. Not sure how much that’s down to any Scandinavian heritage.😂
I liked this video very much. 🤘🏼✌🏼🙂
@@AB-un4io stubbornness and scepticism to authority are natural traits for Norwegians - we are used to be our own kings 🙂
Yes but foreigners usually gets insulted / misunderstand.
"The piggies would grunt if they knew how the old boar suffered".
This has got to be one of the most badass things ever to be said before your are killed.
AllFathers...
169 likes ill ruin it and make it 170 sorry
@@abdullahumar6211 you suck lol u know how it is today with youtube deleting ppl for no reason haha
The piggies grunted and grabbed a Sword upon word of the Boars anguish
This is exactly what the Ragnar in Vikings says right before he dies the same way. It makes me feel good they paid attention to at least some historical detail in that show because I love it.
As a swede who is very interested in this period of history it’s always irritating seeing videos about vikings because most of them are false. But this one feels very genuine and I very much like the professor as well so I must say I’m very happy to finally come over a video about vikings where they have actually done their research. A thumbs up from me
Agreed. They're almost all from Norways west coast in tv and movies, because looks better I guess. Way too heavily armoured and brutish. Like this video points out it was just as much swedes and danes, and armour were scarce on vikings. Skål fra Norge
@@doubleMify Im sorry but what, media portray Vikings as heavily armored? I'm sorry but almost every single show lately shows them running around with BDSM leather fetisch gear.
While in reality we KNOW that Scandinavian warriors did infact use chainmails, and iron helmets, not some black leather chestpiece.
@Axel Lundgren det jag menar är att många program men speciellt youtube videos om vikingar oftast bara går på legend samt hittar på mycket också. Ett vanligt exempel är att man beskriver Ivar Benlös som en person som inte kunde gå när det är mer troligt att han hade benskörhet, var väldigt vig, kunde inte få stånd eller en blandning av alla tre. Hoppas det hjälpte
@@doubleMify I’m agreeing whit you regarding the part where Viking from Sweden especially are often overlooked completely. Many programs also don’t mention all of Scandinavia’s presence in Constantinople or that it was Vikings that first funded a kingdom in modern day Russia that would developed into the Russia we all know and hate today. Skål på dig också
Viggo M Soooo True :) :) this was good and true, not fiction and not fake news as trumpie would have said :)
I cannot imagine something much scarier than viking men rushing to their deaths weapon in hand as they know they will die. Considering their beliefs that dont want to die without a fight. So a wounded viking is probably even scarier. That's a man who knows he'll die but wanna make the most of it. Thats a man who will make it his mission to take people with him to the grave.
I love the expert and how he is smiling every time he's talking about the "bad" sense of humor
It is the same man that was in the Tolkien documentary on RUclips (A study of the maker of middle earth...look at 2:55). He used to be a professor at Leeds university. I recognized his voice and presence immediately, even though that documentary 30-40 years old. Fabulous man.
Dark, crude humor for sure. Bad? No.
Exactly! He loves it,even tho hes english. I myself love that the whole world comes together on viking legends,tv shows etc as much as a swede like me.
Always wondered where I got my dark sense of humour
Im from Iceland, and we are tought this in school. We also can read Old Norse, as its very similar to Icelandic so the old text he is reading is almost as I would read Icelandic text today. Great video very high production value, well done!
Actually It’s Icelandic that’s similar to old Norse.
Yeah we Icelanders can read old norse scriptures fairly well as the language changed little since we had been quite isolated on our sweet island
I am from Norway, and have studied a little Old Norse at the university. It is very different from modern Norwegian, actually. Sure there are many similar words, but the grammar is very complicated, compared to Norwegian. Norwegian as of today is a "childrens" language compared to Icelandic or Old Norse. I envy you your language, it is very beautiful. My family is from western Norway, so I assume some of my ancestors emigrated to Iceland and settled there, so it is a comfort to know that we share a bit of the same DNA! Iceland rules!
I thought you all were taught about infinite gender spectrum and differences between human species of he,she and zhur good to know there are some Scandinavian countries that haven't yet become S*hit
@@anonymousyo1202 That's mostly just Sweden
I love listening to Prof. Tom Shippey's storytelling in this video on the Vikings. Thanks for featuring him in this episode.
"Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back". -Marcus Aurelius (Gladiator)
The greatest of all Vikings
@Dimitri Babushkanov From the movie Gladiator. Not sure if Marcus said it IRL
@@wardaddy6595 All Marcus Aurelius quotes in the film are real
That scene in Vikings with the pulled hair was hilarious.
tho request to hold hair sounded more like something a english nobel would ask.
Doesn't get funnier than that
Yes it was. I bet that shit hurt into eternity
his laugh was really good
definitely a reference to the accounts mentioned haha
My God! What an absolutely astonishing man the Professor is ! He is a western treasure! The discipline, dedication and singular love he has applied to enriching the world to times and places we can scarcely fathom ,a thank you from a remote student in the wilds of Texas seems scarcely noteworthy yet with the greatest humility I bow my head in thanks and gratitude for the lifetime invested in bringing these treasured nuggets of history forth. With Profound respect, Michael Weeks, San Antonio Texas ( from Devonshire a scant 12 generations or so).
Harold Hardrada deserves a movie from the fall of Olaf - his time in Kiev - his time as a Varangian guard - to his fall at Stamford bridge
Well there is Vikings: Valhalla coming at some point
A movie would just ruin it. A series of books would be better.
@@johnnymcblaze Or a Band of Brothers type of TV-show
maybe a siries. of high quality, like f.e "ROME". the series "Vikings" were at best
mediocre imo.
@@sheadoherty7434 Yeah, Im gonna go out on a limb and say that its going to suck. Diversity hires, lesbians and gays, and ofcourse, as always, highly historically inacurate. Thats how they spoiled Vikings, so why on earth would they not do it again?
I had hoped there would be atleast a mention of the lone Berserker at Stamford Bridge.
He is the example of Viking bravery
Was waiting for that too. Can't believe they didn't mention it.
But
I was surprised he didn’t
Me too!!
22:50
"... you can kill 'em, as we did! But frighten them? That's not gonna work. They're always goin' to come back at you. You're not safe until the very last one of them is dead."
Gave me chills...
“Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back.” - Marcus Aurelius
“Ha, you knew Marcus Aurelius?”
@@andray310 nah, he just touched me on the shoulder once.
@@andray310 "I did not say I knew him I said he touched me on the shoulder once!"
@@mattr543 been waiting for someone to throw is back at me 😂 great line !
@@andray310 Great film buddy
The best history channel around.
Better than History Channel.
Agreedx4000000
@Herr Spiegel Epic History and Kings and Generals are the two best.
@Herr Spiegel kings and generals is great if that’s all u do when you watch RUclips. Usually I watch RUclips while doing something else but kings and generals just has so much information so fast so it’s hard to pick up
@@Conorp77 it depends on the subject, if you go to naval actions i think they're overshadowed by drachinifel (to be fair this is the only thing he does)
i love the Scandinavian mythology and the Vikings history, there is such a powerful thing about it.
"Laughing shall I die" is such an epic line it will be my life motto now.
"Death is coming, its certain. But actually im going to see what i can do to make this memorable" EPIC!
Fantastic life philosophy.
I've been studying Vikings for quite some time, and I can point out to the fact that the expert interpreted it well about Viking's attitude to death. Vikings of long ago had a belief that only those who die in the battlefield will have the opportunity to enter Valhalla and drink with Odin himself. That warrior will be carried up by Valkyries (beautiful women with wings) and his souls will be welcomed at the hall of the gods. Of course, modern society thinks of this as a funny religious belief but people of long ago are very religious like all Christianity and Islam. This goes to show that Vikings welcome death with pride and honor, as they believe they will be reborn in the afterlife and enjoy a feast with the gods. Given such strong belief, they can't probably feel fear at all. This is the advantage they had that turned them into fearless beasts, but it's all folly in today's times.
i can add to your study then. vikings saw their lives as passed on when having children and they lived on trough their children. this is what the rolling wheel of fire is all about and the children would be led into to the mounds of their ancestors.
The Vikings risked everything for a huge win. Nice try but nobody can fight everyone forever.
This is very truth die a violent death
@@boek2777 They can in Valhalla, where they fight all day and fiest all night on the flesh of a magic pig that heals instantly as each piece is cut from it.
Valkyries... beautiful women with wings? Very much incorrect.
12:42 I was expecting him to say that they found an extra pair of hands without the body it belongs to.
Me too
This is such a wonderful little documentary. I love the history of the Vikings. Please make more documentaries about the Vikings! And bring back this historian! You can really tell he has a passion for his studies.
Vikings were similar almost to Spartans where they were raised to be warriors from birth and on a cultural level they believed there was nothing more honorable than dying in combat. When you can condition a soldier to literally not fear death, they will not be subject to things that would rout other men. They genuinely fear nothing because they're having a good time in the present life but honestly cannot wait to find out what's in store for them in Valhalla.
Also in 1066 with Harold, there was a small bridge they had to retreat from, and one single bearsark stayed and fended off the English with a Dane axe for almost 3 or so hours. The only way they even killed him was they snuck under the bridge and stuck him in the groin with a spear
That' ... is a worthy death ... his name may have been forgotten, but his actions remain to be told.
he's in Valhalla now
Imagine the English officers:
"Sir, they're holding the bridge."
"How many?"
"Just one"
"And how many are in one group?"
"No sir, just one guy"
Nice story but really 3 hours
@@dannybrennan9971 yes
As someone who grew up with these stories, I feel like a big thing that many people miss is the aspect of fatalism. Not even the gods can know when the Norns will cut a man's thread. It seems only reasonable that a man won't die until he's meant to, at the set time and in the set way that fate dictates, so there's nothing to get fussed about. A man who truly believes this would fight without fear because he'll be killed only if fate says he will and, if he is, there's no point in making the story of his death a boring one. Of course they're just stories and it's likely that the skalds played up this fatalist courage but it's still something to think about.
Thank you, thats honestly a great insight
This is exactly the key to the Viking mindset.
It's a very stoic, a ver taoist way of thinking
It is what it is, accept and enjoy
and if someone cuts their own thread...was that fated or freewill? 🤔
@@john-ic5pzI would think it would be fate, just as the nornir can will a man to kill another, they will men to leap off cliffs and pull a trigger
The way that we were taught of Tormod Kolbrunarskalds's death in high school goes something like this: He died at the battle of Stiklestad, shot by an arrow to his chest. With his last breath, he made a poem, in which he said: "The king has fed me well, for the roots of my heart grows deep in fat" while he was pulling the arrow out of his heart. I have checked, and it's written pretty much how we were taught it. In the "Heimskringla" by Snorre Sturlason, there is a Saga about Olav The Holy. I searched it online, and I read the passage of his death. Tormod is not instantly killed by the arrow on the battlefield, and he is not standing while he is pulling it out. A female healer is trying to heal him after the battle by making him eat a smelly porridge of onions and herbs. Why the smell? Because she didn't know how bad the wound was, and wanted to check if she could smell the onions coming out of his intestines. The arrowhead was stuck so far into his chest that they she couldn't pull it out with a tong alone. The arrowhead had hooks in it. Tormod said he would pull it out with her help. When the arrowhead loosened, the hooks had pulled parts of his heart out. Some of it was flesh, some of it was fat/tallow. When he saw this, he was lying down when he helped to pull the arrow out. This is the moment he made the poem. Harald Hardråde is not mentioned to have finished his poem. How the professor have gotten this information, I have no idea.
Tom Shippey is one of the world's foremost experts on the subject. He has spent a lifetime researching it, translating, reading, analysing and cross referencing original texts, and lecturing at universities including Oxford and Harvard. That is how he got information that is not taught in high school!
@@mikefuleTormod Kolbrunarskald does feature in a couple of Icelandic sagas that I haven't read, but even assuming this non-Snorre account is from one of them, it is at best strange of the professor to give a different account than Snorres. We aren't even sure there was a battle at Stiklestad, so by asserting there was you are pretty much asserting the Snorre version of events. Also the Snorre version is possibly the single most stoic death scenes from the sagas, so it's omission is very strange. Almost seems like he wants to namedrop Harald Hardråde for no other reason
@@mikefule Read my comment to r.davidsen, the thread starter on this.
@@tormodosen4746 Read my comment to r.davidsen, the thread starter on this.
The reality is that there are two different saga versions on Tormod Kolbrunarskald's death.
One of them is in the Kings' sagas(Heimskringla), and here he dies as you say and where he says "The king has fed us well as I am still fat around the roots of my heart." before he dies.
The second one is in The Saga of the Sworn Brothers(Fóstbrœðra saga) where his death happens as Tom Shippey tells it.
I am totally sure that Tom Shippey knows about both stories of his death and that he either forget to tell about it, thought it was not so important or it was edited out.
And we can say one thing for sure about Tormod Kolbrunarskald.
Very few men in history have been given two heroic death scenes.
And there are no doubts at all that he really lived and he was no man from fiction, even if the claimed poetry at his death, most likely is fiction.
As long as God gives me breath on this earth, I will watch Epic History TV videos.
Vive l'empereur
@Divalvaro * Marie Louise
By Grabthar's Hammer!
🤌🤌
Well , God can give you evalasting life and chance to meet all the people who die in the past. Daniel 12:1-4 , 2:44
"Ragnar's death in a snake pit is almost certainly invented, *but his sons... **_the piggies_** ...were very real* "
_Audible shudders of fear from Brittania_
Oink oink
That was ...............................EPIC .
Good ole Snake-In-the-Eye. He was my best man
There's no reason to think it was invented, nor would it need to be!
Vikings needed no excuses...
"I might die but I will laugh some how about what pain I may trick you into receiving" is my take away from this. A viking spirt lives in everyone that has ever had an enemy.
There are stil a similar mindset in Finland. It's called "sisu". You go on, despite bad odds. A "madness" to do the impossible or die trying. But without the sarcastic humor. Something more like John Wick. Pure will and commitment.
Calm down Finland, nobody is holding your beer.
@@logic9436 WHERE IS MY BEER
I think we all in the north still have somewhat of that humor.
Stoic people
I was raised in a Scottish/French family and we have this mindset with a very tongue in cheek twist.
The professor they interview is really amusing to listen to. I would love to drink a beer with him and listen to him talk about all the stuff he has been studying about the vikings.
Thats exactly what i thought while watching
I did once sit down with him for a drink and talk about all these things ("whisky, no ice, with a bit of water on the side"), and all I can say is you are absolutely right. Unforgettable evening. 👍
@@ricomarcelabrahamsen6185 😯
Skol
i like how enthusiastic this dude is about telling the stories, i like this dude
All I can say is wow. This video is amazing. The editing, storytelling, the guest scholar, it's all wonderfully done. I find it hard to believe that I'm watching a YT video by the quality of the vid. I just wished you made more Viking content because they truly are fascinating.
I like how you all combined the normal format and the format with the professor explaining combined, he is a treasure and we most protect him at all costs
I really liked this mans insight and no BS presentation. Well done.
Vikings: "We're not stuck here in northern Europe with you. You're stuck here with us."
Christian: Your people have no culture and civilization. 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Also the Coronavirus is not in the human's habitat, we are actually invading the virus's habitat. Just ask any bat.
Yous have nothing anymore so sad man what history has paid you back with.
Me on the other hand in Scottish long Live Alba
I'm
Nice watchmen love that movie
This video looks like a top quality documentary...And in fact IT IS!
This is what I love about being British, the diverse history of us and the rest of Europe. We’re all linked somewhere down the line the heritage of this continent is literally epic!
Another brilliant enlightening video from EpicHistoryTV, THE BEST CHANNEL ON RUclips 100%. Thank you so much because your content is free and amazing, so much better than TV, strongly considering become patreon, thanks for the great work. Keep it up!
What a nice man, his enthusiasm is inspirational, well done Tom Shippey...& Epic History.
I'll never forget, when I was about to move abroad, the last thing my uncle said to me was, ”remember, it doesn't matter if you die, what matters is how many of the MFers you take with you.” pretty much summed up my heritage right there.
Epic History is the absolute best history channel for learning
Have you ever listened to Hardcore history?
I'd be frustrated at my king if he released and congratulated the dude who was responsible for slicing off my hands...
Just throwing that in there, great video as always, and happy new Year.
So would I be! Happy New Year to you too.
If true, and given the lack of medical care at the time, he likely died on the spot. Just one major artery split open in your arm can kill you in less then two minutes.
No one probably liked him anyway.
Imagine getting your arms cut off and everyone is laughing, your enemies, your king and even your own comrades. Hard-knock life.
@@tbirdguy1 I was going to point the same thing out barring a situation where they could very quickly apply already hot steal to it he's going to bleed out in seconds
That scene with the Jomsvikings is hilarious situational humor, you can't beat that. But Tom Shippey is great despite being born an Englishman. Defending Tolkien's works as great literature and having real insight into Scandinavian history. He walks that great golden middle road of not being too simplistic nor too elitist.
Great video, and really like how you tied the events of 1066 together, that often gets overlooked. Tom Shippey is a treasure and his life's work should be cherished. All too often we trample on things that are inconvenient or no longer "cool" but thankfully he got to see the resurgence of interest in Viking culture, even if it wasn't perfectly done. And his work with LOTR...he made sure that Rohan was represented with the Viking spirit that Tolkien imbued them with...in spite of big hollywood.
"We fight that's how we win and that is how we die"
~Vikings mindset 💀
I agree to a point, the vikings tended to choose their battles wisely
Ragnar lothbrok
@@therabman_5606 Oh, I'm sure. I'm almost certain they weren't just mindless idiots charging into a helpless battle unless it were a last stand/no hope kind of situation. I always thought Vikings valued Fame & Glory as much as they did Death & Valhalla
@@Twxvkvr in Bernard Cornwell's brilliant Saxon Stories books (made into a great TV show called The Last Kingdom), the Lead character Uhtred (himself born a Saxon noble raised by Norse chieftain) always made a point to say that the Danes and Norsemen hated losing men worse than anything.
@@rufussamsquanch_6547 yea, I know. I watch the show on Netflix and I absolutely love it. Havent gotten the chance to read the books yet, but I will.
The ability for Vikings to take the harshness of reality in such stride is admirable. Facing death is one thing, but to face *brutality* with a smile and a joke, it fills me with envy.
Touch my butt, it fills me with envy
Excellent! I look forward to seeing more guests on the channel! One of your best ones yet.
I need a bit of help tracking down a story. I remember reading a short description of a tale from (I believe) Viking mythology. It was about two rivals (brothers I think). One kidnaps the other and tortures him to death. From the perspective of the listener, the victim is seen as the victor in the conflict because despite his pain, he refuses to cry out. In fact, I believe he laughs as he is being disemboweled-- no matter how much he suffers, he refuses to acknowledge it. It was portrayed as a peek into the Viking value of an unbreakable will and sense of dark humor in the face of death. Maybe I am confused on the origin, but it is definitely a tale from Western Europe. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Great video by the way. You got my subscription.
If you're interested in fanciful fairytales about past days, try read the Sagas.
Notice they're written 200 years after any Viking lived
The viking spirit also persisted long after the viking age. King Magnus Barefoot raided and conquered in Scotland, Man, Wales and Ireland. He got sovereignty over Anglsey and probably Gwynned after accidentally defeating the invading Normans there. He was ultimately killed by a ambush in Ireland after being reckless. Before his death his men said he should be more cautious he said "Kings are made for honour, not for long life"
The Norwegian crusade led by King Snorri I was also basically a long viking raid, on the way to Jerusalem they raided in Iberia and the Balearic Islands, the earliest recorded attacks on the Muslim Balearic Islands by a Christian force.
English army surround Vikings.
Vikings: Well I guess we die.... *Procede to make an epic poem about it*
In the Netfix series Vikings the hands cut off joke during a beheading took place. And indeed I must say, it was very funny.
Its not an Netflix series, it produced by History Channel
@@filipkiseloski Norsemen is the Netflix series... and I'd say, even if it is a comedy series, it is much more historically accurate and a lot funnier than that milk-drinker show.
@@Rovarin Are you a Skyrim guard ?
@@javyroo9405 awwww did someone steel your sweetroll?
I will put my head on the block if someone holds my hair out of the way
These videos are always so great. Beyond being informational, citing where the information comes from makes such a big difference.
YES
I really like to see a Vikings series similar to this at some point and some of the historical basis of the Viking Saga like Vinland or even the Viking invasions of Britain and Europe. That would be cool to see.
There is; 'Vikings'
Vikings TV show depicts the saga of ragnar lothbrok and his sons it's a really good show
last kingdom and vikings are both good shows
There’s the anime Vinland saga which is actually really good
This has to be one of the best and most interesting videos I've seen on RUclips! Tom Shippey was brilliant!
Protect this man at all costs
I've always been fascinated with the Viking culture so I found this to be an excellent video and thank you for sharing your insight into the subject!
My ancestors didnt steal from the monks, the building was on fire and they took the gold & silver to keep it from getting damaged ;-) They were very thoughtful people
Grandpappy Olaf was just there to sell some flat-pack furniture :P
"my ancestors"
My ancestors were only helping the monks relocate to County Durham ;-D
You mean they burned them down?
yeah u won't exist today if your ancestor didnt end the way of the viking
They forgot the nameless Viking berserker who held off the whole English army on Stamford bridge single handedly. It’s said that he killed like 50+ men before he was speared in the groin by an Englishmen who snuck under the bridge and thrust his spear up through the boards of the bridge hitting said berserker in the groin and ending most likely the last great Viking berserker…. And we don’t even know his name…I’m sure someone back then knew his name but was killed shortly after the berserker.
Yeah, don’t get me wrong he’s a savage… but no one mentions the out of the box chad that got tired of waiting in line to face the lion…
@@zorrakas320 The spear-thrusting Saxon must have thought "I'll just strike the biggest target on that guy"
They don't like it up 'em , no they don't .
Who says he was a berserker?
I would love to have this guy as an old norse teacher... his passion for the history of it, makes learning it super fun
this is straight up documentary content, you my friend are an absolute legend
The best short and to the point compilation of some Viking history I've seen. Makes you want to learn more about the things he mentioned but didn't fully address.
That historian said so many times that the story was “funny “and then immediately saying “in a way “ so people don’t think he’s crazy 🤣
I think it’s funny too
Ah, but does the notoriously PC BBC understand gallows humor? A shame that he left out the fellow who claimed to be a king’s bastard son, but was accused of being the son of a Christian priest, throwing two spears at a time (as the kingly father had) while yelling, “This is how my father said the Mass!” He died, of course, but he lived on in the tales.
Something Trygvasson, I think he was.
Just an incredible channel all around. Right up there with Dan Carlin and TimeGhost. Really hoping for a 30 years war series after the awesome Napoleon series is wrapped up.
I'm Norwegian Swedish Irish and Hungarian. Adopted by a Italian/Sicilian family and my name is also Italian/Sicilian but my real last name would of been Noren. I love learning history and about my Ancestors/people. It's a very rich history.
Your american, thats your distant ancestry. I bet you dont know anything about Norwegian culture or history, please dont go around calling yourself X when in reality ur not really X.
Your american, thats your distant ancestry. I bet you dont know anything about Norwegian culture or history, please dont go around calling yourself X when in reality ur not really X.
One of the only channels I'll actually sit through the ad in the video to help them out
Same
That was a brilliant video, well done. I agree with the sentiment of others here that I would gladly replace your videos for what is sadly the current state of The History Channel. I wish you all the best and continued success with your work and please continue providing us with these great videos.
I've had this on my "Watch Later" for a while now. Why on earth did I wait so long to watch this?? AMAZING video
I'm a simple dane, I see anything about scandinavia history. I click it
me too, bróðir
Same here in Norway
Same here in Sweden
I’m a simple albanian, I see warrior . I bro fist them . 😤👊🏻
Same, anything to remind me that once we had a culturexD
Yet another high quality production from Epic History! Wonderful viewing!
That viking mindset is forever immortalized in skyrim. During the execution when the first stormcloak is about to be executed but they gotta do the sermons before. "Shut up and let's get this over with. Come on i haven't got all morning"
Skyrim is an amazing game and will always be amazing
Oblivion was better in my mind
@@tiffanywyatt5137 That it is. Skyrim is nothing but dull greyness and snow 🤢
@@brandoncook6190 That "dull greyness and snow" describes winter in the nordic countries to perfection. And don't forget you only get a couple of hours of sunlight, if any
@@1991beachboy I know I'm just a southern American I'm used to hot ass summers and more color outside. I do have ancestors from Sweden though.
This channel is brilliant! Thank you for all your hard work Epic History :)
If these vikings were living in these days they'd probably be censored off all the social media
SImply because of their winter-planning ableist attitude..
Maybe. But I would love to see their attitude and sense of humor executed on a couple (1000) of our contemporaries. In the true sense and meaning of the word. I’d volunteer.
Literally anyone who lived prior to 1800 would have been, yes.
But imagine performing the “Blood Eagle” on the main square of any city to a couple 100 politicians, banksters and other assholes 😍😍😍
Actually, the social media should be censored off the social media.
4:29 Ragnar Lothbrok
7:20 King Hrolf
10:25 Jomsvikings
13:18 King Olaf
16:56 Harald Hardrada
I'm glad you guys are exploring different topics. Great job guys.
This is incredibly well made. You should be proud.
This historian in the video, Dr./Professor Shippey, is super entertaining to hear speak, I'd love to see more of him. His enthusiasm and real-world interpretation of things often sensationalized was extremely interesting!
Your voice is very calming and professional
Death: I’m coming for you!
Vikings: **laughs in Old Norse**
Death: i'm coming for you
The 300 spartans: *laughs in greek*
The death that would come for a Northman would be a beautiful Walkure/Valkyrie, to take them to Valholl (aka, Valhalla), even after they were Christianized. Of course, they would welcome it, if they could not escape it.
Diacritics omitted above by due to laziness and my being on an iPhone, not a proper computer with an Alt or escape key, as the Gods intended.
oh wow what an original comment
I'm direct descendant of Scottish Norse Viking
@@kingleonaidas3302 the 300 spartans LITERALLY "come and get some" molon labe
This video literally helped me to get over the most beautiful relationship i ever had. Thank you for that. ❤️
I spent the first 16 minutes of this video genuinely convinced it was either an older History Channel or Smithsonian channel documentary.
Bravo sir, you know very well how to make an entertaining, informative, television worthy production!
The Viking attitute as you call it - cracking jokes, doing pranks og making poems while fighting to the death - is probably why y'all love the Vikings to this day .......
Cheers from one of their 20-times grandchildren from Danmark
Scaldic lore and training should be mentioned here. They were trained to remember the stories of skalds past with a word for word accuracy so it's not surprising the stories are pretty accurate since scalds only changed stories so they would fit better with scaldic rhyme styles
Simply epic! You made the Vikings proud and mighty.
Setting the bar even higher!