The Saga of Ash and Elm. History and Myths of the Vikings

In 793, Scandinavian raiders attacked the monastery of Lindisfarne in Northumbria - it is traditionally believed that this is the moment when the Viking Age began. It will end in 1066, when the king of Norway, Harald Hardrada, will die leading an attack on the Anglo-Saxon army at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. In the book by Neil Price, one of the most important contemporary studies of this era, a new perspective on the mythology, culture, and history of the Scandinavian peoples is presented. Price shows that the Viking expansion began earlier than the raid on Lindisfarne and traces their fate for many centuries to come. Based on the latest archaeological data, rare finds, and textual sources, the book immerses the reader in the history of the daily life of the Vikings and their beliefs, ancient myths and burial rites, economies and social structures, legendary voyages and ruthless raids.
«The Viking Age was a time of immense social change, vibrant cultural diversity, and significant tolerance for radical ideas and foreign beliefs. It was a period of flourishing art and expanding horizons through travel and encounters with other cultures. If today’s people were to take anything away from the Viking Age, it is precisely this» (Neil Price).