The Viking Witch Queen

 

Many of you may recognize Gunnhild from the television series Vikings, where she is portrayed as the wife of Bjorn Ironside. However, the historical Gunnhild was quite different. Far from being a shieldmaiden, she was renowned instead for her sorcery and striking beauty. She was the wife of Erik Bloodaxe, son of Harald Fairhair and King of Norway. In time, she came to be known as the Mother of Kings, as her sons would go on to claim power over Norway. Gunnhild appears in more than five Norse and Icelandic sagas, and in nearly all of them, she plays the role of the villain. Her husband, Erik Bloodaxe, is scarcely given his own chapter in the Heimskringla (Saga of the Norwegian Kings), largely because he was deeply unpopular—many believed it was Gunnhild who whispered poison into his ear, steering him with her influence. Snorri Sturleson himself stated, "Of Eirik Blood-axe's five years' reign there is no separate saga. He appears not to have been beloved by the people and his queen Gunhild seems to have had a bad influence on him." In the sagas, Gunnhild is almost always cast in a dark light. She is portrayed as a formidable figure—admired for her beauty and generosity, yet feared for her magic, cunning, and ruthless ambition. She is remembered as a woman of power and cruelty, and as someone whose insatiable desires and sharp intellect made her both captivating and dangerous. This is her story. 00:00 Introduction 01:53 Ancestry & Early Life 04:38 Of Erik Bloodaxe 07:16 Conflict with Egill Skallagrímsson 10:09 Erik & Gunnhild Flee Norway 14:15 The Mother of Kings 18:33 Of Gunnhild's Lover 21:03 Exile, Death & Legacy Music by Noel Malekar

Why This Viking Brothers’ DNA is So Unique (Ancestors & Extinction)

 

In Estonia, a Viking ship burial revealed warriors who died side by side. DNA analysis uncovered an even deeper bond — several were brothers. This discovery changes how we understand Viking expeditions, family, and honor. Discover the untold story of the Salme Ship Brothers and their incredible legacy.

Birka: two more extraordinary Viking-age graves (feat. Veronica Björkman)

 

Veronica Björkman discusses the contents of two Viking-Age graves from Birka, one the "moose man" buried with a decapitated younger man ca. AD 750, and the other a woman who reveals the rich interconnections of Birka's trade network during the 800s AD.

Jackson Crawford, Ph.D.: Sharing real expertise in Norse language and myth with people hungry to learn, free of both ivory tower elitism and the agendas of self-appointed gurus. Visit https://jacksonwcrawford.com/ (includes bio and linked list of all videos).

Get Jackson Crawford's books (Crawford earns a small commission off this Amazon shop): amazon.com/shop/jacksoncrawford

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Sweden's Greatest Viking King | Eric the Victorious

 

Erik Björnsson, better known as Eric the Victorious, stands among the most prominent figures of Sweden's Viking Age. While kings ruled in Sweden before him, Eric is the earliest monarch in a continuous royal succession whose existence is confirmed by multiple independent sources. For this reason, most official lists of Swedish rulers begin with his name. He earned the epithet "the Victorious", meaning "blessed with victory," after triumphing over his nephew, the legendary berserker Styrbjörn the Strong and the fearsome Jomsvikings at the Battle of Fýrisvellir, fought near Uppsala. His victory, believed by many to have been granted by Odin himself, marked the beginning of a reign characterized by Swedish expansion and growing influence. According to the medieval chroniclers Adam of Bremen and Saxo Grammaticus, Eric also claimed the throne of Denmark after defeating and exiling King Sweyn Forkbeard, thereby ruling over both Sweden and Denmark. Eric the Victorious is mentioned in numerous historical and literary sources: the Heimskringla, a chronicle of the kings of Norway; Adam of Bremen's History of the Archbishops of Hamburg; The Tale of Styrbjörn the Swedish Champion, preserved in the Flateyjarbók; and Saxo Grammaticus’ Gesta Danorum also known as the Deeds of the Danes. Though some of the accounts surrounding him are legendary in nature, the convergence of references across such diverse texts affirms that the man behind the myth was, without question, a real historical figure. This is his story. 00:00 Introduction 03:23 Ancestry & Early Life 05:58 Feud with Styrbjörn the Strong 08:07 The Battle of Fýrisvellir 11:28 Marriage to Sigrid the Haughty 12:38 Conquest of Denmark & Invasion of Saxony 16:32 Death & Legacy All credit for the music goes to: Savfk - Music Link:   • The Hunt by Savfk [CC-BY royalty free musi...   #history #historyprofiles #medieval #darkages #darkages #vikinghistory #vikings #viking #vikingage #sweden #swedishhistory #eric #ericthevictorious #king #warriorking #warriorkings #vikingshistorychannel #trending #trendingnow #trendingvideo #viralvideo #viral #viralnow #fypage #fypviral #fypyoutube #fyp #fypシ゚viral

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The Vikings | Episode 4: Viking Kingdoms

 

In this episode: The Vikings were feared warriors and raiders and are still widely regarded as pagan barbarians. However, it is often overlooked that they were also avid traders, mercenaries, and explorers. Their hunger for conquest drove them from Scandinavia into ever more distant lands. On their journeys of discovery, the Vikings left a lasting impact on Western and Eastern Europe, laying the foundation for entire kingdoms and states that still exist today. Their ships plied the seas and rivers of half the globe. They were bloodthirsty warriors and fine craftsmen. They were the Vikings.

The Vikings | Episode 3: Raiders & Explorers

 

In this episode: The Vikings were feared warriors and raiders, bearing striking names like Erik Bloodaxe and Harald Bluetooth. They are widely regarded as pagan barbarians, but it is often overlooked that they were also avid traders, mercenaries, and explorers. Their thirst for conquest drove them from Scandinavia into ever more distant lands. The traces of the Vikings lead to Western and Eastern Europe, the North Atlantic, and even as far as America. Their ships plied the seas and rivers of half the globe. They were bloodthirsty warriors and fine craftsmen. They were the Vikings.

The Vikings | Episode 2: Viking Weapons

 

In this episode: The Vikings were feared warriors and are widely regarded as barbarians. However, they were also avid traders and explorers who acquired knowledge on their journeys and used it to develop their society further. This was reflected in the production of their weapons and equipment. In addition to their traditional shipbuilding, they crafted swords inspired by Continental Europe. Using their ships, the Vikings seized every opportunity to expand even more rapidly. Their ships plied the seas and rivers of half the globe. They were bloodthirsty warriors and fine craftsmen. They were the Vikings.