What made the Vikings so Dangerous? 5 Viking Deaths and What They Tell Us About the Viking Mindset

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  • čas pƙidĂĄn 29. 12. 2020
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Komentáƙe • 3,7K

  • @y.r._
    @y.r._ Pƙed 3 lety +2345

    Me: "When will you cover Napoleons campaigns in egypt and northern italy?"
    Epic History: "Here you go, a video about Vikings"
    Me: "EPIC"

    • @RamonesFan201
      @RamonesFan201 Pƙed 3 lety +69

      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

    • @conorflynn6427
      @conorflynn6427 Pƙed 3 lety +24

      @@RamonesFan201 I agree, if you love history but only want to learn about one subject. You are not learning history.

    • @y.r._
      @y.r._ Pƙed 3 lety +38

      @@conorflynn6427 True that. But still. I want them to finish napoleon, because napoleon is EPIC.

    • @jasongray6698
      @jasongray6698 Pƙed 3 lety +6

      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.

    • @fredbarker9201
      @fredbarker9201 Pƙed 3 lety +18

      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

  • @napoleonibonaparte7198
    @napoleonibonaparte7198 Pƙed 3 lety +4660

    I want this channel, to replace History Channel’s slot.

  • @MASmeinezeit
    @MASmeinezeit Pƙed rokem +583

    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.

    • @Turco949
      @Turco949 Pƙed rokem +44

      Ergo the saying "The most dangerous person is one who got nothing to lose (their life included)"

    • @jessemccree4064
      @jessemccree4064 Pƙed rokem

      @@Turco949 cared?

    • @jessemccree4064
      @jessemccree4064 Pƙed rokem

      No

    • @eduardogamez2661
      @eduardogamez2661 Pƙed rokem +4

      Not if you have the same mindset or even a stronger one

    • @proudguardofwhiterun5770
      @proudguardofwhiterun5770 Pƙed rokem +26

      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.

  • @TheNightWatcher1385
    @TheNightWatcher1385 Pƙed 2 lety +340

    “Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back.” - Marcus Aurelius

    • @andray310
      @andray310 Pƙed rokem +11

      “Ha, you knew Marcus Aurelius?”

    • @democratsaretrash9366
      @democratsaretrash9366 Pƙed rokem +10

      ​@@andray310 nah, he just touched me on the shoulder once.

    • @mattr543
      @mattr543 Pƙed rokem +9

      @@andray310 "I did not say I knew him I said he touched me on the shoulder once!"

    • @andray310
      @andray310 Pƙed rokem +1

      @@mattr543 been waiting for someone to throw is back at me 😂 great line !

    • @mattr543
      @mattr543 Pƙed rokem +2

      @@andray310 Great film buddy

  • @warlund6369
    @warlund6369 Pƙed 2 lety +880

    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.

    • @bombarded15
      @bombarded15 Pƙed rokem +17

      Loved it, took me back to my best college classes that were like this!

    • @Boombox69in
      @Boombox69in Pƙed rokem +7

      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

    • @juliarman
      @juliarman Pƙed 11 měsĂ­ci

      "The professor" is TOM SHIPPEY.. You don't talk over Tom Shippey.

    • @TheCollapse410
      @TheCollapse410 Pƙed 5 měsĂ­ci

      ​@@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.

  • @mosesmarlboro5401
    @mosesmarlboro5401 Pƙed 3 lety +2920

    "He survives...not his fault" has to be the most viking sentence I've ever heard.

    • @sublimechimp
      @sublimechimp Pƙed 2 lety +127

      I noticed that too. Fault, like he's done something wrong. Love it.

    • @B.V.Luminous
      @B.V.Luminous Pƙed 2 lety +57

      IT IS A GREAT HONOR TO DIE IN BATTLE!!

    • @Rauser142
      @Rauser142 Pƙed 2 lety +6

      @@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
      @crazeeaz Pƙed 2 lety +20

      @@Rauser142 there's a difference in dying well in battle and picking a fight you can't win.

    • @Rauser142
      @Rauser142 Pƙed 2 lety +28

      @@crazeeaz Attacking monasteries and defenseless fishing villages was very heroic indeed, too bad they usually were completely destroyed when they faced other warriors.

  • @widgren87
    @widgren87 Pƙed 2 lety +99

    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 :-)

    • @naturalbornvisionary
      @naturalbornvisionary Pƙed rokem +2

      I’m glad you know that movie , one of favorites as a kid. Not a lot of ppl have seen it

    • @widgren87
      @widgren87 Pƙed rokem +1

      @@naturalbornvisionary I have it on DVD and watch it every now and then ;-)

    • @naturalbornvisionary
      @naturalbornvisionary Pƙed rokem +1

      @@widgren87 god bless you man lol

    • @BlackWolf812
      @BlackWolf812 Pƙed 10 měsĂ­ci +2

      I own Herger's final battle armor from the movie

    • @slamdunktiger
      @slamdunktiger Pƙed 6 měsĂ­ci

      It’s a free movie in CZcams now, haven’t seen it yet but will!

  • @YokoSpaghetti
    @YokoSpaghetti Pƙed 2 lety +254

    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.

    • @Chadius_Thundercock
      @Chadius_Thundercock Pƙed rokem +7

      Nah they’re probably far fetched, a lot of what we know of Vikings is from sagas and legends

    • @doctorcrafts
      @doctorcrafts Pƙed rokem +1

      Doosh

    • @stinky4226
      @stinky4226 Pƙed rokem +4

      @@Chadius_Thundercock I like to believe they were real cause why not

    • @ComedyByAlan
      @ComedyByAlan Pƙed rokem +9

      @@stinky4226 dude Vikings we’re totally real

    • @stinky4226
      @stinky4226 Pƙed rokem +4

      @@ComedyByAlan I know vikings were real
      I'm talking about the exaggerated stories

  • @Oblivion889
    @Oblivion889 Pƙed 3 lety +3212

    His narration voice matches every single timeline in history.

  • @collinsagyeman6131
    @collinsagyeman6131 Pƙed 3 lety +3600

    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

    • @borismuller86
      @borismuller86 Pƙed 3 lety +78

      I knew I recognised him! Thank you.

    • @seancooney297
      @seancooney297 Pƙed 3 lety +205

      He must have been on vacation while they were making The HobbitđŸ€Ł

    • @collinsagyeman6131
      @collinsagyeman6131 Pƙed 3 lety +230

      @@seancooney297 you could say he went on an Unexpected Journey

    • @seancooney297
      @seancooney297 Pƙed 3 lety +77

      @@collinsagyeman6131 "Lead them on Peter, the profit is near. Artistic integrity is no more use here"

    • @Stromblad2211
      @Stromblad2211 Pƙed 3 lety +6

      @@seancooney297 😂😂😂

  • @AnUtterSimpleton
    @AnUtterSimpleton Pƙed 2 lety +68

    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.

    • @MrYarik04
      @MrYarik04 Pƙed rokem +3

      Thank you, thats honestly a great insight

    • @rolsen1304
      @rolsen1304 Pƙed rokem +5

      This is exactly the key to the Viking mindset.

    • @cheweperro
      @cheweperro Pƙed 7 měsĂ­ci +2

      It's a very stoic, a ver taoist way of thinking
      It is what it is, accept and enjoy

    • @john-ic5pz
      @john-ic5pz Pƙed 8 dny

      and if someone cuts their own thread...was that fated or freewill? đŸ€”

  • @lukefrombk
    @lukefrombk Pƙed 2 lety +42

    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.

  • @sukisuzuki10
    @sukisuzuki10 Pƙed 3 lety +880

    I really like this guys narration, he doesn’t make horrible noises with his mouth, just speaks crisply

    • @psycho8181
      @psycho8181 Pƙed 3 lety +4

      I’m DEAF
      just ASLin / SAYin...

    • @canadianbacon3007
      @canadianbacon3007 Pƙed 3 lety

      He sounds a lot like John Hurt the UK actor Eh!

    • @skaclip6073
      @skaclip6073 Pƙed 3 lety +1

      Yes very good.

    • @YaINNNNN
      @YaINNNNN Pƙed 3 lety

      I first thought it was 3kliksphilip until I noticed the different accent, really like the voice!

    • @uberneanderthal
      @uberneanderthal Pƙed 2 lety

      is the 'horrible noises with his mouth' a reference to anyone in particular?

  • @richardguzman2108
    @richardguzman2108 Pƙed 3 lety +808

    I'd no one going to talk about how he got an actual professor in his video. This is awesome. It's truly TV worthy and reminds me of the old history channel documentaries.

    • @JayzsMr
      @JayzsMr Pƙed 3 lety +32

      Yes I think he stepped up the level of youtube documentaries.
      It will probably only get better in the future

    • @PookieQDB
      @PookieQDB Pƙed 3 lety +15

      I was born in 96. I watched historical documentaries all the time with my dad when I was a kid. I miss those days, they were so good. They should just change their network name along with discovery channel.

    • @thulegezelschap5884
      @thulegezelschap5884 Pƙed 3 lety +9

      @@PookieQDB the nineties were the golden age..
      Now it is only reality crap on those channels
      And the BBC would probably make all the Vikings black in their documentary if they made it today

    • @MajesticDemonLord
      @MajesticDemonLord Pƙed 3 lety +11

      "Hey Mr Viking Professor?"
      "Yes?"
      "Wanna talk about Vikings on to an Audience of approximately 1 Million people?"
      "Oh go on then, don't mind if I do"
      - this is how I envision the conversation went.

    • @-Homelander.
      @-Homelander. Pƙed 3 lety

      Dont forget about ancient aliens guy 😂😂😂

  • @markcarter4504
    @markcarter4504 Pƙed rokem +65

    Thank you Tom Shippey for your work here , and also for your dedication to JRR Tolkien through the years. This Tolkien fan appreciates you!

    • @kyledabearsfan
      @kyledabearsfan Pƙed 7 měsĂ­ci +2

      Most definitely, gotta respect this man's nerd grind.

    • @markcarter4504
      @markcarter4504 Pƙed 7 měsĂ­ci +2

      @@kyledabearsfan 🙂

  • @that1guy899
    @that1guy899 Pƙed 2 lety +20

    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!

  • @Sriram-ve4ge
    @Sriram-ve4ge Pƙed 3 lety +1541

    "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.

    • @HxH2011DRA
      @HxH2011DRA Pƙed 3 lety +22

      Glad someone jotted that down

    • @natedlc854
      @natedlc854 Pƙed 3 lety +54

      Lmao I loved that. "You can kill them, and speaking as english men, We did! Over there!" Lol hes so excited

    • @charlesmckinley29
      @charlesmckinley29 Pƙed 3 lety +6

      Then you lost to the frogs. 😞

    • @essjay26
      @essjay26 Pƙed 3 lety +58

      @@charlesmckinley29 Lost to the Northmen, Vikings founded the Duchy of Normandy.

    • @poonoi1968
      @poonoi1968 Pƙed 3 lety +33

      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.

  • @VRichardsn
    @VRichardsn Pƙed 3 lety +1926

    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.

    • @velentr
      @velentr Pƙed 3 lety +133

      In an alternative version of the story, VĂžggr 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 VĂžggr. VĂžggr 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 VĂžggr 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.

    • @seanbigay1042
      @seanbigay1042 Pƙed 3 lety +30

      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!")

    • @bradenr867
      @bradenr867 Pƙed 2 lety +14

      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

    • @ishabooo
      @ishabooo Pƙed 2 lety +4

      @@bradenr867 this man stabs-- I mean what?

    • @michimatsch5862
      @michimatsch5862 Pƙed 2 lety +2

      @@ishabooo lol

  • @tubularfrog
    @tubularfrog Pƙed 2 lety +11

    I love listening to Prof. Tom Shippey's storytelling in this video on the Vikings. Thanks for featuring him in this episode.

  • @miniaturelabyrinth7765
    @miniaturelabyrinth7765 Pƙed 2 lety +40

    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.

  • @toddkurzbard
    @toddkurzbard Pƙed 3 lety +489

    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.

    • @wellknownSWAG
      @wellknownSWAG Pƙed 2 lety +39

      Not just quoting, literally composing it.

    • @roms_hut3639
      @roms_hut3639 Pƙed 2 lety +40

      A true warrior king. Not a president who makes a phone call or wave his hands for others to do his bidding.

    • @hord81
      @hord81 Pƙed 2 lety +7

      The Son of this Viking King is the founder of my hometown Bergen in western Norway.

    • @johndododoe1411
      @johndododoe1411 Pƙed rokem

      @@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.

    • @ambrusin4889
      @ambrusin4889 Pƙed rokem +1

      @@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.

  • @estb.mcmxciii3012
    @estb.mcmxciii3012 Pƙed 3 lety +1875

    "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.

    • @psycho8181
      @psycho8181 Pƙed 3 lety +16

      AllFathers...

    • @abdullahumar6211
      @abdullahumar6211 Pƙed 3 lety +5

      169 likes ill ruin it and make it 170 sorry

    • @estb.mcmxciii3012
      @estb.mcmxciii3012 Pƙed 3 lety +6

      @@abdullahumar6211 you suck lol u know how it is today with youtube deleting ppl for no reason haha

    • @coppertopv365
      @coppertopv365 Pƙed 3 lety +22

      The piggies grunted and grabbed a Sword upon word of the Boars anguish

    • @sodadad102
      @sodadad102 Pƙed 3 lety +73

      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.

  • @Enehall
    @Enehall Pƙed 2 lety +12

    This has to be one of the best and most interesting videos I've seen on CZcams! Tom Shippey was brilliant!

  • @r.davidsen
    @r.davidsen Pƙed rokem +14

    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 HardrÄde is not mentioned to have finished his poem. How the professor have gotten this information, I have no idea.

    • @mikefule330
      @mikefule330 Pƙed rokem +2

      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!

    • @tormodosen4746
      @tormodosen4746 Pƙed 8 měsĂ­ci

      ​​​@@mikefule330Tormod 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 HardrĂ„de for no other reason

  • @brianjob3018
    @brianjob3018 Pƙed 3 lety +520

    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.

    • @j.k.stringer192
      @j.k.stringer192 Pƙed 2 lety +20

      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

    • @paulwilkinson4073
      @paulwilkinson4073 Pƙed 2 lety +4

      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

    • @buffenough8709
      @buffenough8709 Pƙed 2 lety +9

      @@paulwilkinson4073 literally so many countries use Patronymic names.

    • @paulwilkinson4073
      @paulwilkinson4073 Pƙed 2 lety +3

      @@buffenough8709 true Germany use them too as well as all Scandinavian countries

    • @Slapnuts9627
      @Slapnuts9627 Pƙed 2 lety +7

      @@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.

  • @Peter-qq3io
    @Peter-qq3io Pƙed 3 lety +1898

    That scene in Vikings with the pulled hair was hilarious.

    • @moofymoo
      @moofymoo Pƙed 3 lety +55

      tho request to hold hair sounded more like something a english nobel would ask.

    • @zakadams762
      @zakadams762 Pƙed 3 lety +13

      Doesn't get funnier than that

    • @tommyjordan9744
      @tommyjordan9744 Pƙed 3 lety +63

      Yes it was. I bet that shit hurt into eternity

    • @trapper1211
      @trapper1211 Pƙed 2 lety +26

      his laugh was really good

    • @donDanDeNiro
      @donDanDeNiro Pƙed 2 lety +20

      definitely a reference to the accounts mentioned haha

  • @thesupreme7501
    @thesupreme7501 Pƙed 2 lety +170

    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.

    • @fiddibelow
      @fiddibelow Pƙed 2 lety +13

      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
      @boek2777 Pƙed 2 lety +4

      The Vikings risked everything for a huge win. Nice try but nobody can fight everyone forever.

    • @shaungarland7395
      @shaungarland7395 Pƙed 2 lety

      This is very truth die a violent death

    • @johndododoe1411
      @johndododoe1411 Pƙed rokem +7

      @@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.

    • @WillemAlarik
      @WillemAlarik Pƙed rokem +3

      Valkyries... beautiful women with wings? Very much incorrect.

  • @chrisprou9216
    @chrisprou9216 Pƙed 5 měsĂ­ci +2

    loved hearing him recite those poems. just lovely.

  • @Dayaktribesman
    @Dayaktribesman Pƙed 3 lety +291

    "Fight well, whether you live or die today its already been decided by the gods!"

    • @brentfisher902
      @brentfisher902 Pƙed 3 lety +4

      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.

    • @heliosgnosis2744
      @heliosgnosis2744 Pƙed 3 lety

      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.

  • @aglioolio3180
    @aglioolio3180 Pƙed 3 lety +400

    I love the expert and how he is smiling every time he's talking about the "bad" sense of humor

    • @churchether
      @churchether Pƙed 3 lety +8

      It is the same man that was in the Tolkien documentary on CZcams (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.

    • @starwarfan8342
      @starwarfan8342 Pƙed 3 lety +9

      Dark, crude humor for sure. Bad? No.

    • @nikkepikkelito115
      @nikkepikkelito115 Pƙed rokem +1

      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.

  • @ludinisavage6102
    @ludinisavage6102 Pƙed 2 lety +19

    i love the Scandinavian mythology and the Vikings history, there is such a powerful thing about it.

  • @michaelweeks9317
    @michaelweeks9317 Pƙed 2 lety +5

    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).

  • @viggomogensen2122
    @viggomogensen2122 Pƙed 3 lety +1253

    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

    • @doubleMify
      @doubleMify Pƙed 3 lety +52

      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. SkÄl fra Norge

    • @atomiicpunk
      @atomiicpunk Pƙed 3 lety +59

      @@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.

    • @viggomogensen2122
      @viggomogensen2122 Pƙed 3 lety +10

      @Axel Lundgren det jag menar Àr att mÄnga program men speciellt youtube videos om vikingar oftast bara gÄr pÄ legend samt hittar pÄ mycket ocksÄ. Ett vanligt exempel Àr att man beskriver Ivar Benlös som en person som inte kunde gÄ nÀr det Àr mer troligt att han hade benskörhet, var vÀldigt vig, kunde inte fÄ stÄnd eller en blandning av alla tre. Hoppas det hjÀlpte

    • @viggomogensen2122
      @viggomogensen2122 Pƙed 3 lety +27

      @@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. SkĂ„l pĂ„ dig ocksĂ„

    • @67km67
      @67km67 Pƙed 3 lety +6

      Viggo M Soooo True :) :) this was good and true, not fiction and not fake news as trumpie would have said :)

  • @valdimareiriksson101
    @valdimareiriksson101 Pƙed 3 lety +540

    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!

    • @buffenough8709
      @buffenough8709 Pƙed 2 lety +16

      Actually It’s Icelandic that’s similar to old Norse.

    • @Jamslijamsl
      @Jamslijamsl Pƙed 2 lety +42

      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

    • @motordude67
      @motordude67 Pƙed 2 lety +28

      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!

    • @anonymousyo1202
      @anonymousyo1202 Pƙed 2 lety +14

      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

    • @ovawic
      @ovawic Pƙed 2 lety +12

      @@anonymousyo1202 That's mostly just Sweden

  • @waynedavis936
    @waynedavis936 Pƙed 2 lety +1

    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.

  • @Jdjdbxdj
    @Jdjdbxdj Pƙed rokem +2

    These videos are always so great. Beyond being informational, citing where the information comes from makes such a big difference.

  • @wardaddy6595
    @wardaddy6595 Pƙed 3 lety +220

    "Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back". -Marcus Aurelius (Gladiator)

    • @dougricketts6187
      @dougricketts6187 Pƙed 3 lety +9

      The greatest of all Vikings

    • @wardaddy6595
      @wardaddy6595 Pƙed 3 lety +6

      @Dimitri Babushkanov From the movie Gladiator. Not sure if Marcus said it IRL

    • @viktorszenasi3664
      @viktorszenasi3664 Pƙed 3 lety +13

      @@wardaddy6595 All Marcus Aurelius quotes in the film are real

  • @smiIingman
    @smiIingman Pƙed 3 lety +770

    I had hoped there would be atleast a mention of the lone Berserker at Stamford Bridge.

  • @Heythatguy87
    @Heythatguy87 Pƙed 2 lety

    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

  • @mtbd215
    @mtbd215 Pƙed 2 lety +1

    very interesting video. i have read many of the sagas in my life and hope to read more. i love the old guys enthusiasm in this video. he knows and loves his history and it really gives something to this video

  • @AliA-yn4hk
    @AliA-yn4hk Pƙed 3 lety +1119

    "Ragnar's death in a snake pit is almost certainly invented, *but his sons... **_the piggies_** ...were very real* "

    • @mattaffenit9898
      @mattaffenit9898 Pƙed 3 lety +129

      _Audible shudders of fear from Brittania_

    • @muhammadhadi88
      @muhammadhadi88 Pƙed 3 lety +69

      Oink oink

    • @NDR-hn3ue
      @NDR-hn3ue Pƙed 3 lety +29

      That was ...............................EPIC .

    • @awzthemusicalreviews
      @awzthemusicalreviews Pƙed 3 lety +18

      Good ole Snake-In-the-Eye. He was my best man

    • @jackstarr4726
      @jackstarr4726 Pƙed 3 lety +49

      There's no reason to think it was invented, nor would it need to be!
      Vikings needed no excuses...

  • @mericarslan2497
    @mericarslan2497 Pƙed 3 lety +141

    12:42 I was expecting him to say that they found an extra pair of hands without the body it belongs to.

  • @sujosrw3272
    @sujosrw3272 Pƙed 2 lety +2

    i like how enthusiastic this dude is about telling the stories, i like this dude

  • @ryanchristiansen9390
    @ryanchristiansen9390 Pƙed 2 lety +1

    The poem at 14:20. Has made tears fall from my face, and those who have listened to me speak such in my families language. Please understand the weight of this.. thank you all

    • @becks.18thomas58
      @becks.18thomas58 Pƙed 2 lety

      Please tell me the name of the poem I’ve been reading through the comments and you are the only person to talk about it.

  • @cedricgonzalez9575
    @cedricgonzalez9575 Pƙed 3 lety +225

    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

    • @sheadoherty7434
      @sheadoherty7434 Pƙed 3 lety +8

      Well there is Vikings: Valhalla coming at some point

    • @johnnymcblaze
      @johnnymcblaze Pƙed 3 lety +8

      A movie would just ruin it. A series of books would be better.

    • @Leadfoot_P71
      @Leadfoot_P71 Pƙed 3 lety +20

      @@johnnymcblaze Or a Band of Brothers type of TV-show

    • @sifis172
      @sifis172 Pƙed 3 lety +10

      maybe a siries. of high quality, like f.e "ROME". the series "Vikings" were at best
      mediocre imo.

    • @s.v.848
      @s.v.848 Pƙed 3 lety +21

      @@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?

  • @scl9671
    @scl9671 Pƙed 3 lety +399

    The best history channel around.

    • @cgt3704
      @cgt3704 Pƙed 3 lety +7

      Better than History Channel.

    • @valer119
      @valer119 Pƙed 3 lety +2

      @Herr Spiegel I think they're better I like both but I do think epic history is better.

    • @tommunism8778
      @tommunism8778 Pƙed 3 lety +1

      Agreedx4000000

    • @Conorp77
      @Conorp77 Pƙed 3 lety +1

      @Herr Spiegel Epic History and Kings and Generals are the two best.

    • @thomasbrady3827
      @thomasbrady3827 Pƙed 3 lety +3

      @Herr Spiegel kings and generals is great if that’s all u do when you watch CZcams. Usually I watch CZcams while doing something else but kings and generals just has so much information so fast so it’s hard to pick up

  • @voteZDLR
    @voteZDLR Pƙed 2 lety +6

    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.

  • @g.ruempel
    @g.ruempel Pƙed 22 dny +3

    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...

  • @Unknown-zm6og
    @Unknown-zm6og Pƙed 3 lety +878

    As long as God gives me breath on this earth, I will watch Epic History TV videos.

    • @steelydan3263
      @steelydan3263 Pƙed 3 lety +22

      Vive l'empereur

    • @freewal
      @freewal Pƙed 3 lety +5

      @Divalvaro * Marie Louise

    • @zacherynuk842
      @zacherynuk842 Pƙed 3 lety +1

      By Grabthar's Hammer!

    • @adrianburgos7826
      @adrianburgos7826 Pƙed 3 lety +1

      đŸ€ŒđŸ€Œ

    • @ivangudelj1065
      @ivangudelj1065 Pƙed 3 lety

      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

  • @user-dy7ob3lr1d
    @user-dy7ob3lr1d Pƙed 3 lety +66

    "Death is coming, its certain. But actually im going to see what i can do to make this memorable" EPIC!

  • @DullyDust
    @DullyDust Pƙed 6 měsĂ­ci +3

    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

  • @kevinmartin168
    @kevinmartin168 Pƙed 2 lety +16

    "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.

  • @bittersteel3284
    @bittersteel3284 Pƙed 3 lety +42

    "Laughing shall I die" is such an epic line it will be my life motto now.

  • @peterlewerin4213
    @peterlewerin4213 Pƙed 3 lety +410

    Vikings: "We're not stuck here in northern Europe with you. You're stuck here with us."

    • @aaronaddington357
      @aaronaddington357 Pƙed 3 lety +8

      Christian: Your people have no culture and civilization. 😂😂😂😂😂😂

    • @brentfisher902
      @brentfisher902 Pƙed 3 lety

      Also the Coronavirus is not in the human's habitat, we are actually invading the virus's habitat. Just ask any bat.

    • @thinkinghmmmm
      @thinkinghmmmm Pƙed 3 lety +2

      Yous have nothing anymore so sad man what history has paid you back with.
      Me on the other hand in Scottish long Live Alba

    • @thinkinghmmmm
      @thinkinghmmmm Pƙed 3 lety

      I'm

    • @Drawnartist
      @Drawnartist Pƙed 3 lety +1

      Nice watchmen love that movie

  • @VikingsCode
    @VikingsCode Pƙed 2 lety

    Thanks for the video! Great insights and such a nice production!

  • @braindamage38
    @braindamage38 Pƙed 2 lety

    Incredible Viking video. Perfectly done. I didn't know anything about them before this. Thank you

  • @elfrogman1428
    @elfrogman1428 Pƙed 3 lety +170

    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

    • @robgraham5320
      @robgraham5320 Pƙed 2 lety +7

      That' ... is a worthy death ... his name may have been forgotten, but his actions remain to be told.

    • @drownindesigner
      @drownindesigner Pƙed 2 lety +28

      he's in Valhalla now

    • @kevinm.4846
      @kevinm.4846 Pƙed 2 lety +44

      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"

    • @dannybrennan9971
      @dannybrennan9971 Pƙed 2 lety +3

      Nice story but really 3 hours

    • @elfrogman1428
      @elfrogman1428 Pƙed 2 lety +11

      @@dannybrennan9971 yes

  • @andvil01
    @andvil01 Pƙed 3 lety +207

    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.

    • @logic9436
      @logic9436 Pƙed 3 lety +8

      Calm down Finland, nobody is holding your beer.

    • @vilippon
      @vilippon Pƙed 3 lety +12

      @@logic9436 WHERE IS MY BEER

    • @svensvensson1085
      @svensvensson1085 Pƙed 2 lety +13

      I think we all in the north still have somewhat of that humor.

    • @Jamslijamsl
      @Jamslijamsl Pƙed 2 lety +1

      Stoic people

    • @jackorlove4055
      @jackorlove4055 Pƙed 2 lety +1

      I was raised in a Scottish/French family and we have this mindset with a very tongue in cheek twist.

  • @RespectMyAuthoritaah
    @RespectMyAuthoritaah Pƙed 2 lety

    I really liked this mans insight and no BS presentation. Well done.

  • @SCAPEGOAT316
    @SCAPEGOAT316 Pƙed 2 lety

    This was an epic watch, cheers to the channel and the CZcams algorithm

  • @luisasouza5472
    @luisasouza5472 Pƙed 3 lety +77

    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.

    • @VilliamRoth
      @VilliamRoth Pƙed 3 lety +1

      Thats exactly what i thought while watching

    • @ricomarcelabrahamsen6185
      @ricomarcelabrahamsen6185 Pƙed 2 lety +2

      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. 👍

    • @Madkklown
      @Madkklown Pƙed 2 lety

      @@ricomarcelabrahamsen6185 😯

    • @jacm5186
      @jacm5186 Pƙed 2 lety

      Skol

  • @Paris-xv9sj
    @Paris-xv9sj Pƙed 3 lety +74

    This video looks like a top quality documentary...And in fact IT IS!

  • @ohm6009
    @ohm6009 Pƙed rokem +2

    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!

  • @gking2709
    @gking2709 Pƙed rokem +7

    Protect this man at all costs

  • @UmVtCg
    @UmVtCg Pƙed 3 lety +82

    In the Netfix series Vikings the hands cut off joke during a beheading took place. And indeed I must say, it was very funny.

    • @filipkiseloski56
      @filipkiseloski56 Pƙed 3 lety +13

      Its not an Netflix series, it produced by History Channel

    • @Rovarin
      @Rovarin Pƙed 3 lety +6

      @@filipkiseloski56 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.

    • @javyroo9405
      @javyroo9405 Pƙed 3 lety +7

      @@Rovarin Are you a Skyrim guard ?

    • @deathstrack
      @deathstrack Pƙed 3 lety +2

      @@javyroo9405 awwww did someone steel your sweetroll?

    • @daisyj4035
      @daisyj4035 Pƙed 3 lety

      I will put my head on the block if someone holds my hair out of the way

  • @Pabloyadav360
    @Pabloyadav360 Pƙed 3 lety +268

    "We fight that's how we win and that is how we die"
    ~Vikings mindset 💀

    • @therabman_5606
      @therabman_5606 Pƙed 3 lety +3

      I agree to a point, the vikings tended to choose their battles wisely

    • @billsmaragdakis9071
      @billsmaragdakis9071 Pƙed 3 lety +2

      Ragnar lothbrok

    • @Twxvkvr
      @Twxvkvr Pƙed 3 lety +1

      @@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

    • @rufussamsquanch_6547
      @rufussamsquanch_6547 Pƙed 3 lety +1

      @@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.

    • @Twxvkvr
      @Twxvkvr Pƙed 3 lety

      @@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.

  • @YoungNarcissixt
    @YoungNarcissixt Pƙed 6 měsĂ­ci

    I love this voice whos telling these stories so dramatic and passionate
    If i had i teacher like that i would started learn history earlier omg

  • @user-qe9kn6od9m
    @user-qe9kn6od9m Pƙed 11 měsĂ­ci +1

    This video literally helped me to get over the most beautiful relationship i ever had. Thank you for that. ❀

  • @boplax123
    @boplax123 Pƙed 3 lety +21

    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.

  • @SilverAranda
    @SilverAranda Pƙed 3 lety +101

    English army surround Vikings.
    Vikings: Well I guess we die.... *Procede to make an epic poem about it*

  • @machfiver753
    @machfiver753 Pƙed 2 lety +1

    I understand the passing on of memories via songs or stories. I still remember word for word all of the songs we would sing on the school bus we took to boarding school when I was 7yrs old. And I doubt I've sang them entirely outloud more than a couple of times and some not at all since then and I'm 47yrs old now. So passing on repeated stuff like a saga would be fairly easy to pick up and in an age of no TV or books I could see stories being like a favorite movie or play that one could remember

  • @Loop0001rath
    @Loop0001rath Pƙed 2 lety

    glorious video, thank you so much for making it. loved the historian as well, he's damn cool!

  • @jeremybell1607
    @jeremybell1607 Pƙed 2 lety +18

    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.

  • @fluffygutts2240
    @fluffygutts2240 Pƙed 3 lety +119

    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

    • @Rovarin
      @Rovarin Pƙed 3 lety +5

      Grandpappy Olaf was just there to sell some flat-pack furniture :P

    • @Merlinthehappypig
      @Merlinthehappypig Pƙed 3 lety +1

      "my ancestors"

    • @sitnspin1819
      @sitnspin1819 Pƙed 3 lety +3

      My ancestors were only helping the monks relocate to County Durham ;-D

    • @aaronaddington357
      @aaronaddington357 Pƙed 3 lety

      You mean they burned them down?

    • @jamesgabriel7132
      @jamesgabriel7132 Pƙed 3 lety

      yeah u won't exist today if your ancestor didnt end the way of the viking

  • @alfiecleall9369
    @alfiecleall9369 Pƙed 8 měsĂ­ci

    This was really well made I enjoyed that thank you

  • @harrisonbathgate253
    @harrisonbathgate253 Pƙed 2 lety +1

    That was downright amazing. I'll be honest I thought I would watch the first death and exit the video but now that I've finished it I wish it went longer.

  • @damienleen1437
    @damienleen1437 Pƙed 3 lety +22

    What a nice man, his enthusiasm is inspirational, well done Tom Shippey...& Epic History.

  • @hughdancey9280
    @hughdancey9280 Pƙed 3 lety +84

    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.

    • @EpichistoryTv
      @EpichistoryTv  Pƙed 3 lety +15

      So would I be! Happy New Year to you too.

    • @tbirdguy1
      @tbirdguy1 Pƙed 3 lety +4

      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.

    • @aa-uq1qj
      @aa-uq1qj Pƙed 3 lety +4

      No one probably liked him anyway.

    • @Leadfoot_P71
      @Leadfoot_P71 Pƙed 3 lety +21

      Imagine getting your arms cut off and everyone is laughing, your enemies, your king and even your own comrades. Hard-knock life.

    • @dlmdlm7685
      @dlmdlm7685 Pƙed 3 lety +1

      @@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

  • @jacobbevers8171
    @jacobbevers8171 Pƙed rokem +52

    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.

    • @zorrakas320
      @zorrakas320 Pƙed rokem +5

      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


    • @larspeterthomsen9798
      @larspeterthomsen9798 Pƙed rokem +6

      @@zorrakas320 The spear-thrusting Saxon must have thought "I'll just strike the biggest target on that guy"

    • @laurencesmith2199
      @laurencesmith2199 Pƙed rokem

      They don't like it up 'em , no they don't .

    • @hardywatkins7737
      @hardywatkins7737 Pƙed měsĂ­cem

      Who says he was a berserker?

  • @mojo-hand4539
    @mojo-hand4539 Pƙed 2 lety +2

    Kudos on the original artwork - nicely done!

  • @NazgulWitchKing
    @NazgulWitchKing Pƙed 3 lety +5

    I would love to have this guy as an old norse teacher... his passion for the history of it, makes learning it super fun

  • @williamthell5930
    @williamthell5930 Pƙed 3 lety +99

    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 đŸ€Ł
    I think it’s funny too

    • @Egilhelmson
      @Egilhelmson Pƙed 3 lety +2

      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.

  • @solaraspect5255
    @solaraspect5255 Pƙed 2 lety +12

    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.

  • @vladtheinhaler8754
    @vladtheinhaler8754 Pƙed měsĂ­cem +2

    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!

  • @sayedhusson3876
    @sayedhusson3876 Pƙed 3 lety +14

    Another brilliant enlightening video from EpicHistoryTV, THE BEST CHANNEL ON CZcams 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!

  • @komokid5685
    @komokid5685 Pƙed 3 lety +25

    Epic History is the absolute best history channel for learning

  • @deuteriumoxide1275
    @deuteriumoxide1275 Pƙed rokem +9

    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.

  • @Crosis89
    @Crosis89 Pƙed 2 lety

    What an amazing storyteller, I'd listen to him all day everyday

  • @r1nip
    @r1nip Pƙed 3 lety +5

    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

  • @jonathanwiggins5366
    @jonathanwiggins5366 Pƙed 3 lety +28

    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.

    • @OmmerSyssel
      @OmmerSyssel Pƙed 2 lety

      If you're interested in fanciful fairytales about past days, try read the Sagas.
      Notice they're written 200 years after any Viking lived

  • @kealebogapoifo6703
    @kealebogapoifo6703 Pƙed 2 lety

    I love this man's voice, add the music and you transcend, beautiful 👌

  • @sr2172
    @sr2172 Pƙed rokem

    That was so good! I really enjoyed that, thanks.

  • @mbgamer3189
    @mbgamer3189 Pƙed 3 lety +29

    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.

    • @Mavo936
      @Mavo936 Pƙed 3 lety +1

      There is; 'Vikings'

    • @eddie9361
      @eddie9361 Pƙed 3 lety +5

      Vikings TV show depicts the saga of ragnar lothbrok and his sons it's a really good show

    • @Rizzle37
      @Rizzle37 Pƙed 3 lety +6

      last kingdom and vikings are both good shows

    • @mijanhoque1740
      @mijanhoque1740 Pƙed 3 lety +5

      There’s the anime Vinland saga which is actually really good

  • @luxin6235
    @luxin6235 Pƙed 3 lety +3

    I really enjoy this blend of the ‘epic’ voice and independent historians, especially with the stunning graphics of the mentioned stories. Another excellent video, eagerly awaiting napoleons marshals pt 5

  • @PyrrhicPax
    @PyrrhicPax Pƙed rokem +13

    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.

  • @MrOddball63
    @MrOddball63 Pƙed 2 lety +2

    Speaking of Stamford Bridge... I worked with security in Stockholm/Sweden many moons ago...
    This one day I took an extra shift at Solna stadium where 2 local teams were to duke it out. Needless to say, the fans couldn't behave themselves so the match was cancelled. Much to the fans ire...
    When it came time to "escort" the fans off from my section we were reinforced with 4-5 policemen which made our force as many as 12-14...
    Well, halfway through the exit tunnel the fans turned and tried to bull rush us, and they were in their hundreds. The tunnel was narrow enough for us to form 2 lines and at the same time it limited the others approach...
    I can tell you it was the longest 15 minutes in my life...
    Also, in some mysterious way the videos from the surveillance cameras somehow disappeared. :)

    • @matswikstrom7453
      @matswikstrom7453 Pƙed rokem +2

      😄😄😄👍 (What is not in the report did not happen.)
      Greetings from Sweden

    • @MrOddball63
      @MrOddball63 Pƙed rokem +1

      @@matswikstrom7453 SĂ„ sant sĂ„ 😁

    • @matswikstrom7453
      @matswikstrom7453 Pƙed rokem +1

      @@MrOddball63 😃👍

  • @seanmorse1389
    @seanmorse1389 Pƙed 3 lety +9

    Excellent! I look forward to seeing more guests on the channel! One of your best ones yet.

  • @NexusBreeze99
    @NexusBreeze99 Pƙed 3 lety +20

    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.

  • @ninjanunch2769
    @ninjanunch2769 Pƙed 2 lety +8

    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.

    • @prinz5816
      @prinz5816 Pƙed rokem

      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.

    • @prinz5816
      @prinz5816 Pƙed rokem

      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.

  • @anthonyklanke1397
    @anthonyklanke1397 Pƙed 2 lety

    Just Fantastic:) what a remarkable combination of humor and history 👍