This chapter in “A History and Theory of Rhetoric” will be about the medieval ages. Particularly Norse culture. For years the medieval ages have been deemed as one of the most important time periods around the creation and evolution of the world and its civilization. This time period ranges from late 8th century to as late as the early 11th century. Most of this period pertains to Scandinavian people and Germanic people. Which fit the term as today’s modern term as Vikings? The Viking age has been a ton of rape and pillage and a lot of turmoil for other civilizations. But what is interesting about this culture is there rhetoric from their arts and architecture to writing styles and other elaborate means the Vikings referred to as Norsemen have a unique culture. Even their tradition of stories and mythologies. There war tactics were even vast and widely successful in battle. This chapter aims to broadly inform the reader of the history and cultural grounding of the Nordic culture by looking at its history, Its mythologies, and the knowledge and ways of the “Viking” I hope this chapter provides the reader with a greater understanding of these peoples and their unique culture and how their rhetoric affected them in their respected everyday lives.
Viking What is it?
‘Viking’ “is a term for the people who came from Scandinavia, what is now Norway, Denmark and Sweden, between the eighth and 11th centuries” (dictionary.com), more properly known as the Norse, or Norsemen. “They have long had a notorious reputation as the raiders and pirates of the medieval world and certainly it is not unjustified” (whoarevikings.com) their raids were fearsome and long-running. However, they were also explorers and skilled seafarers, managing to spread across Europe and east into Asia, south to northern Africa and as far west as Newfoundland. They established trade routes across the known world and settled in regions such as northern Britain, Ireland and among the Franks, forming the Kievan Rūs kingdom on the River Volga.
The origins of the name ‘Viking’ are uncertain. It may derive from the Old Norse word vík, ‘creek, inlet, bay’, meaning the Vikings were those who came from, or inhabited, the edges of the land and sea. Equally, it might be an Anglo-Frisian name, from the “Old English” referring to the temporary settlements they built during their raids.
They spoke Old Norse, a language which had a striking influence on English thanks to their settlement in the north of England (it has given us ‘slaughter’, ‘to birth’, ‘cake’ and ‘happy’, among countless other words). Early records of their writing can be found in runic inscriptions, which are often quite mundane, carved into objects and as graffiti But, the main source for their culture, beyond what is written by the peoples they encountered, is the sagas, which were written in 13th-century Iceland. These are the stories of their history – a romanticized mix of truth and legend.
Language
“Old Norse was a North Germanic language once spoken in Scandinavia, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, and in parts of Russia, France and the British Isles and Ireland.”(https://www.omniglot.com/writing/oldnorse.htm) It was the language of the Vikings or Norsemen. The modern language most closely related to Old Norse is Icelandic, the written form of which has changed little over the years, while the spoken form has undergone significant changes. The earliest known inscriptions in Scandinavia date from the 2nd century AD and were written in Runes mainly on stone, or on personal artifacts such as brooches and swords. The majority of these inscription have been found in Denmark and Sweden, and they are written in a language much more archaic than Old Norse. Most Old Norse literature was written in Iceland and includes the Edda’s, poems about gods and mythic origins, or the heroes of an earlier age; Skaldic poetry, which was concerned with extolling the virtues and telling tales of the notable exploits of kings and other patrons; and the Sagas, stories of historical figures or groups intended as entertainment.
(http://galnet.wikia.com/wiki/Runes)
Major battle in history
The battle of Eddington (6–12 May 878)
The arrival of a Danish “great army” in East Anglia in 865 marked the start of a new phase of Viking attacks on Britain. Previously, the Vikings had come to raid and settle around the coast; this force came to conquer. Only the victory of Alfred the Great at Edington saved Anglo-Saxon independence. After the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of East Anglia, Mercia, and North Umbria had been conquered by the Danish army, Wessex in southern England held out against the invaders. Alfred came to the throne after his brother, King Aethelred I, was killed fighting the Danes in 871. The new king benefited from a lull in the onslaught until 876, when Danish attacks resumed in earnest. Reinvading Wessex, they captured Wareham and, in 877, occupied Exeter. Alfred succeeded in forcing the Danes to withdraw to Murcia, but the reprieve was brief. In January 878, under their leader Guthrum, the Danes struck back with a surprise attack against Alfred at his winter fortress at Chippenham. The battle raged own until Alfred in in his words “overthrew the pagans with great slaughter, and smiting the fugitives, he pursued them as far as the fortress.” His victory was decisive, forcing Guthrum to withdraw from Wessex and agree to the division of England. Alfred’s Wessex controlled the south and west, Viking Danelaw the north and east.
Mythology
The Vikings also believed in their own folklore which they accounted for. Just like many other civilizations the Vikings worshiped gods and goddesses which aimed to help them in their everyday life. Norse mythology derived from Norse paganism and continuing after the Christianization of Scandinavia and into the Scandinavian folklore of the modern period. The Vikings believed in and cherished the deities. Odin just like Greek mythology is the leader of all other gods. He inhabits what they call Asgaard. Just like the Greeks the Vikings had a place called heaven and hell temporarily referred to as Asgard and Helium Muspelheim is considered the realm of the giants and the realm of fire. Odin has a wife named freye and two sons named Thor and Loki. Loki is considered to be the god of mischief and deception, while Thor is considered to be the god of heroism and war. These gods are to be considered the creators of the world and invoked and are among the people they are believed to be reason for why things good and bad happen in the world. https://norse-mythology.org/tales/norse-creation-myth/
Architecture
Oseberg Ship: This detail from the Oseberg ship demonstrates the elaborate wood carving designs used as ornamentation on the bow and front of the ship. (https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-arthistory/chapter/the-vikings/)
Viking architecture is unique. Many people knew the Norsemen by their unique clan crest and beautifully illustrated weaponry and boats and homes. One of their most prized achievements is that of the burial of the dead. It is typical in Nordic culture to put a casket in the water with earthly good like gold and things that person cherished and to be set a fire and watched. There are two customs believed of death cremation and andhumation “The act or process of burying the dead.” (dictionary.com) Even tier homes and churches were different. Typically, churches were called staves. There were said to be Christian churches after the Christianization of Scandinavia. “The roofs were often multi-layered, and they usually had a tower or spire in the middle of the highest layer of the roof. They were built of wood and had stone walls around the base.” (wikipedia.com)
Vikings will forever be for their wonderful works of art such as these. These examples of architecture show just how beautiful Vikings work was, though they raped and pillaged many one could argue they possessed such civic virtue.
End of discussion
I hope this chapter in the textbooks serves as a vital point for you and your research throughout the book. The Vikings also known as Nordic culture were part of a very pivotal point in history. Around this time the black death soon came to ravish the region of Germany and western civilizations. Through the rape and pillage of villages and various diseases like the Mongols many people are descendants of Germanic tribes. The Vikings were known far and wide for their many contributions to the world such as there architecture. Folklore and inhumane way of life. Vikings were a savage group of people who took what they want when they wanted. Ultimately, they are one of the most feared civilizations that have ever scorned the earth and they’re cunningness and swiftness in battle proved so “all hail valhalla!”
Questions for Review
- What is the important battle in Viking History?
- What are the two methods of burial in Norse culture?
- Why is Viking art so popular?
- Were the Vikings Germanic peoples or Irish peoples?
- Who was the Most important god in Norse mythology?
Terms
- Odin- God of gods
- Staves- Church after the conversion of Christianism in Scandinavia
- Old Norse- the language used of the Norsemen
References
whoarevikings.com
Dictionary.com
