Histories of the Unexpected: The Vikings

Uncover the unexpected stories behind Viking life, from their grooming habits to their surprising superstitions.

Histories of the Unexpected: The Vikings offers a fresh perspective on this fascinating era. Forget the typical tales of raiding and conquest; this explores the intriguing details of Viking daily life. Discover the hidden histories of Viking hair, teeth, toys, and even their unique approach to luck. Sam Willis and James Daybell reveal how these seemingly ordinary subjects shed new light on Viking culture and society.

Are you ready to explore the Viking world in a way you never imagined? This is for readers who enjoy accessible history, Norse mythology, and a touch of the unexpected.

Sam Willis is a historian who has made 12 TV series for the BBC and National Geographic, including The Silk Road, and has written 14 books, including The Struggle for Sea Power and In the House of Victory. James Daybell is a historian who has written eight books and appeared in a number of historical BBC TV documentaries.

CONTENTS
A Personal Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ix
Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xi
The Vikings: An Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1. Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
2. Graffitti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
3. Nicknames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4. Mischief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
5. Hair Grooming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
6. Hot Springs and Saunas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
7. Break-ins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
8. Colour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
9. Toys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
10. Teeth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
11. Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
12. Goading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
13. Criminal Profi ling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
14. Birds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
15. Luck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
16. Friendship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
17. Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
18. Double Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
19. Silk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
20. Staff s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Selected Further Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Illustration Credits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

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Histories of the Unexpected: The Vikings

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials