The Myths and Realities of the Viking Berserkr

ISBN-13: 9781032164205 / Miękka / 2023 / 196 str.

Roderick Dale

Opis

The Viking berserkr is an iconic warrior normally associated with violent fits of temper and the notorious berserksgangr or berserker frenzy. This book challenges the orthodox view that these men went ‘berserk’ in the modern English sense of the word.

Recenzje

"This is a fascinating, authoritative analysis of one of the most widespread images of the Viking world"

- James Holloway, Fortean Times

Spis treści

List of Figures Acknowledgements Abbreviations and Explanatory Notes Introduction Chapter 1 Defining the berserkr Chapter 2 The monstrous berserkr Chapter 3 Berserksgangr: fit or frenzy? Chapter 4 The etymology and meaning of berserkr Chapter 5 The Viking Age reality of berserkir Chapter 6 Towards new paradigms for berserkir Appendix 1 Incidence of names of berserkir and where to find them in Old Norse literature Appendix 2 Haraldskvæði: the earliest reference to berserkir Bibliography

O autorze

Roderick Dale has worked as an archaeologist throughout the United Kingdom and in research roles at University College Cork and the University of Nottingham. He currently works at the University of Stavanger. His research interests include Old Norse literature, Viking Age history and the reception of vikings in popular culture.