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Medieval Scandinavians and other Germanic peoples celebrated a holiday called Yule during the time of year when days became longer and winter was at its peak. 

What was this holiday and how was it celebrated? Do we have surviving evidence for what happened at Yule celebrations during the Viking Age? 

In today’s holiday-themed episode, I’m joined by Dr. Terry Gunnell, Professor Emeritus of Folkloristics at the University of Iceland and returning podcast guest. Dr. Gunnell was kind enough to answer my call for his expertise when it comes to the winter holiday of Yule. Be sure to check out his previous interviews on The History of Vikings, which are the episodes titled ‘’Norse Mythology & a Pantheon of Gods’’ and ‘’Historical Worship of the Norse Gods’’.

Email Noah with ideas for future episodes: noah@thehistoryofvikings.com

Music: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Support this podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyofviking

Visit my friend and Swedish blacksmith, Philip Lufolk: https://lufolk.com

Support this podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyofviking

During the Middle Ages, seafaring Scandinavian marauders wrought havoc in lands both near and far—from Iceland to Finland, and Córdoba to Constantinople. These were warriors who belonged to an altogether violent society. They are known to us today as Vikings. 

One may read about their military exploits in Old Norse sagas and the chronicles of Christian monks; walk across the remains of warships and ring fortresses, or behold their carefully preserved weapons in some of Europe’s finest museums. 

Yet, it has always been unclear to me how the Vikings fought. Did they use battle tactics? Were young warriors formally trained for battle? How should we understand warfare as it relates to the Viking way of life? 

Today on the podcast, we’ll be addressing all of this and more in an exciting episode about Viking combat. 

Joining me to discuss this topic is William R. Short, manager and lead researcher of Hurstwic, a New England-based organization devoted to Viking culture. In addition to co-authoring his latest book, William wrote Viking Weapons and Combat Techniques along with Icelanders in the Viking Age. 

I’m also joined today by Reynir A. Óskarson, an Icelandic martial arts instructor and combat researcher at Hurstwic. Reynir has been recognized by the Wrestling Association of Iceland for his study of glíma, the Viking-age empty-hand combat that evolved into Iceland's national sport.

William and Reynir authored a book entitled Men of Terror: A Comprehensive Analysis of Viking Combat.

Email Noah with ideas for future episodes: noah@thehistoryofvikings.com

Music: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

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Today I chat with Dr. Christian Cooijmans, British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Liverpool and author of Monarchs and Hydrarchs: The Conceptual Development of Viking Activity across the Frankish Realm (c. 750–940)

Referenced in Today’s Episode:

Monarchs and Hydrarchs

''Down by the River: Exploring the Logistics of Viking Encampment across Atlantic Europe''

Follow Dr. Christian Cooijmans on Academia.edu

Email Noah with ideas for future episodes: noah@thehistoryofvikings.com

Music: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Today I chat with Dr. Leszek Gardeła, a Researcher at the National Museum of Denmark and author of multiple books on the Viking Age.

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Referenced in Today’s Episode:

Women and Weapons in the Viking World: Amazons of the North

Follow Dr. Leszek Gardeła on Academia.edu

Email Noah with ideas for future episodes: noah@thehistoryofvikings.com

Music: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Today I chat with Dr. Tom Shippey, a renowned British scholar and leading academic on the works of J.R.R. Tolkein.

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Referenced in Today’s Episode:

Beowulf and the North Before the Vikings

Email Noah with ideas for future episodes: noah@thehistoryofvikings.com

Music: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Today I chat with Dr. Terry Gunnell, Professor of Folkloristics at the University of Iceland.

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Referenced in Today’s Episode:

Follow Dr. Terry Gunnell on Academia.edu

The Prose Edda

The Poetic Edda

Email Noah with ideas for future episodes: noah@thehistoryofvikings.com

Music: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Today I chat with Don Hollway, a historian, illustrator, historical re-enactor, and classical rapier fencer. Don is the author of The Last Viking: The True Story of King Harald Hardrada.

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Referenced in Today’s Episode:

The Last Viking: The True Story of King Harald Hardrada

Don Hollway's Website

Email Noah with ideas for future episodes: noah@thehistoryofvikings.com

Music: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr

Today I chat with Dr. Gísli Sigurðsson, Research Professor, and Head of the Folklore Department at the Árni Magnússon Institute in Iceland.

Referenced in Today’s Episode:

Follow Dr. Gísli Sigurðsson on Academia.edu

The Prose Edda

Email Noah with ideas for future episodes: noah@thehistoryofvikings.com

Music: Danheim – Framganga & Folkvangr