In this episode we trace King Harald Finehair's rise to power as he conquers his way up the Eastern Edge of Norway and then back down the West Coast. Along that way the young, shaggy king will kill, negotiate and bully his way into the history books.  Plus - this being the Viking Age Podcast - we also discuss some myths around the berserkir and Harald's administrative innovations!  For those who want to learn more about the Berserkar - check out this excellent MA Thesis by Roderick Dale: http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/28819/

VS02 - The Story of Harald Finehair II

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We are covering the History of Scandinavia during the Viking Age. We're exploring Raiding, Trading and Settlement of Scandinavians abroad as well as the culture and society of the Norse homelands.

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In this episode we conclude the Mother of Kings series by exploring several stories of royal mothers in Old Norse literature. We then bring things to close, tracing Gunnhild's fall from power and her mysterious fate.  For more information and a full list of sources used in this episode, check out the website: https://vikingagepodcast.com/i-honor-with-words

MOKVII - I Honor with Words of Truth that Lady

In this supplemental episode, we explore a complex and fascinating set of characters found in several Sagas - the Maiden Kings. For more information and a full list of sources used in this episode, check out our website: https://vikingagepodcast.com/maiden-kings

Mother of Kings Supplement - Maiden Kings

In this episode, we follow Gunnhild konungamóðir as her sons ascend to the Norwegian throne and she finally acquires her famous title. We will then examine the significant authority which Gunnhild enjoyed at this time, as well as how Icelandic authors chose to depict her use of power. Along the way we'll discuss ambitious young Icelanders, hygienic giantesses and the complex portrayal of women, sex and power in the Sagas. For more information and a full list of sources used in this episode, check out our website: https://vikingagepodcast.com/mother-of-kings/

Mother of Kings VI - The Mother of Kings

In this episode, we return to the life and legend of Gunnhild konungamóðir, exploring her time in exile in Denmark and her son's eventual return to power in Norway. We then turn our attention to the broader topic of women, power and magic in the Sagas. Along the way we discuss goat-illusions, magical yarn and cat-skin gloves as we explore several fantastic tales of magically-inclined Saga women. For more information and a full list of sources, check out our website: https://vikingagepodcast.com/i-lay-this-curse Check out our collaboration on the Going Viking Podcast: https://going-viking.com/2019/04/02/who-was-crowned-the-ultimate-viking-in-march-madness/ Noah Tetzner's excellent new The Poetic Edda: A Study Guide: https://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Edda-Study-Guide-ebook/dp/B07N7NMJPB/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=poetic+edda+a+study+guide&qid;=1554758088&s;=gateway&sr;=8-1-fkmrnull

Mother of Kings V - I Lay This Curse on You

In this episode, we continue to discuss the life and legend of Gunnhild konungamóðir, tracing her path from Norway to Northern England and finally Denmark as her status was rapidly transformed from Royal to Refugee and back again. Along the way we encounter and discuss shapeshifters, scorn poles, unruly noblemen and treacherous kings. To wrap things up, we explore the presence and influence of households headed by independent woman in the Norse world, studying the life of Auð the Deepminded and seeing what runestones have to tell us about powerful woman in the Viking Age. For an excellent exploration of Runes and Runestones, please checkout the Rune Cast: http://www.runforum.nordiska.uu.se/runecast/ For more information and a full list of sources, check out our website: https://vikingagepodcast.com/a-woman-of-great-dignity

VS02 - The Story of Harald Finehair II

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