Ten Minute History - The Viking Age (Short Documentary) 

So there's been some conversations here about my use of the term 'Viking' and who it refers to. I think it's important to start off by saying that these videos aren't made for university-level history buffs or the like. They're designed for people trying to learn about historical periods they know little about or are revising for exams (A-Levels, GCSEs etc.). Since I base my videos (where applicable) on British teaching standards I think it's important to note that that the use of the term 'Viking' and 'Scandinavian' are allowed to be used interchangeably at this level. At the level of a Bachelor or Masters degree, absolutely not. That level of historical nuance isn't required here. Yes, the technicalities of historical analysis demand that certain terms be used only under specific circumstances. But not here. These videos aren't for in-depth historical analysis nor do they claim to be a definitive history of the Viking Age. The people commenting that 'Viking' was not used accurately are largely correct. However, in the context of who this video is for, it matters more that other information is included and those watching not be bogged down by technicalities. These videos are here to build a foundation from which people can research further. There are other channels if you'd like in-depth and dry discussions of terminology. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the video.

“Gorn, being old, died....” Hard hitting historical analysis. Love the channel!

"Some Vikings complained the Baptism they were just given wasn't as nice as the last one" LMAO

Oh boy I sure love being a Monk in Lindosfarne at 793

When you go in one succession from a king called "Bloodaxe" to one called "The Good," you're either getting better or totally screwed.

"Was ruled by a man called Gorm the Old. Gorm being old, died in 958" had me laughing

"The now Gormless Denmark". I laughed. A lot.

If there's one thing to take away from the viking age it's that everyone had better nicknames.

"Your navy is weak! All too easy to raid." -Harald Hardrada

I love vikings, because they gave us Bluetooth

Q: How did the Vikings send secret messages? A: Norse code.

"Harold did nothing except died in 970" you made my day

"Great Heathen Army" has to be the most epic name ever for an invading force

"Gorm the old, being old, died..." 😂😂😂 "This went pretty well...for his enemies" 😂😂😂

It is always interesting to see which names get translated, and which just gets anglicized. Harald Bluetooth fx is Harald Blåtand originally, but gets translated, while Harald Hardråde gets changed to Hardrada instead of translated to Harald "Hard ruler"

My favourite bit of Scandinavian history is that in the C12th the Swedes just made up about 15 kings in order to give the kings of the time more legitimacy. They started with Eric the IX (he was actually the first) and Charles/Karl the VII (again actually the first)

Actually, Iceland was inhabited. Before the vikings settled there, it had Irish monks, called Papar in the Sagas. In addition to the Icelandic sagas, recent archeology confirmed the monks' presence.

The swedish KÖLD

6:47 i like that Bluetooth sign on the carving.

Harald Hardrada was such a badass. Spending 15 years as a mercenary, then as a military commander in both Russia and Byzantium, only to then become King in his homeland. I sometimes wonder how history would have looked like if he and his army would not have been surprise-attacked at Stamford bridge. Maybe in an alternate universe he became King of Norway-England. Such a legend!

Yet another great video. The amount of information you pack in 9:59 blows my mind. Thank you.

I didn't realise William was descended from Rollo. That was pretty interesting.

Scandinavia 2019: Most developed and one of the happiest places on the planet, with the friendliest and most laid back people you can meet. Scandinavia ~870: Pillaging and raiding coastal villages and monasteries for fun and profit.

Your intros are always the best "Little bit on fire." xD

5:31 "Harold died around 09:30" The level of historical detail we are able to glean today astounds me

Love the oh so subtle sinking of the modern warship when talking about Norway (1:45 ish)

1:36 Nice reference to HNoMS Helge Ingstad (F313) XD (In case you didn't know, Helge Ingstad is a Norwegian frigate that collided with a tanker on November 8, 2018 and sank on November 13, 2018)

9:35 “Oh Rollo,” says the old monster, “If you truly knew what the gods had in store for you, you would go down and dance naked on the beach.”

5:07 Never forgetti

Got to love the blue tooth logo on the stone at 6:49

6:07 didn't know they had Bluetooth back in the day

They raided England and Scotland so hard that they ended up in Ireland. Absolute madlads.

Fun Fact: Bluetooth was named after Harold Bluetooth becuase I believe when Bluetooth was fired made it was originally used to connect all of the internet I think Estonia and the creator named it after Harold Bluetooth cause he brought together all of the danish kingdoms under his control, also the Bluetooth logo is a mixture of Harold Bluetooths initials in runic. Also *HINGA DINGA DURGEN*

How was this not sponsored by Vikings the app?

My Swedish grandmother was baptized at her parish church in the early 1880's. The back door of her church was recycled from earlier religious bldg. It had a dragon motif.

Another fun thing about 1066 and Willy's invasion from "Northman" aka Normandy, (an example of Vikings gone native). The British Isles were basically considered part of the Scandinavian world until that little bastard got lucky with a bow shot. As recorded on a French blanket.

"Take that Columbus" Lol you made my day

You completely forgot the Middle Eastern primary sources on the norse, which are often far more netural and sometimes even positively in favor of the norse as compared to western European primary sources of this time. Arab and Persian traders had extensive trading ties with the Swedish vikings and Ahmed Ibm Fadlan is perhaps the most well known Middle Easterner to have lived amongst the norse (he was portrayed by Antonio Banderas in the 13th warrior).

I went to Birka, near Stockholm last year. I was told that they find more ancient Persian coins in Scandinavia than in actual Persia itself!

1:20 "No one will believe you" 😂

8:15 That death scene tho

It drives me crazy knowing there are such gaps in history in certain areas of the world that we may never have a clear, certain picture of. Still though, this vid is great, as usual!

Every time I watch these Viking videos im taken back to an era of fearless explorers and groundbreaking discoveries. Its not just the battles that is so captivating, but the rich culture and indomitable spirit that defined the Vikings. Who else feels the call of the sea whenever you dive into these stories?

KNM Helge Ingstad cameo at 1:36 gave me a good chuckle

I know I'm late to the party here, but there is also a thing where the Swedish vikings were the founders of the kingdom of Kievan Rus, that was a historically significant thing in eastern Europe which became a large power of its time and later inspired the founding of Russia.

Interesting, thanks! Also mention that the attack on Constantinople & Mediterranean raiding, the Rus of Russia were from Roslagen in Sweden, the Greenland settlement active until the 1400s and how the Vikings discovered and settled the Azores.

The drawing of Odin with one eye! Subtle, but absolutely brilliant!

Poor Harald Greycloak! I'm sure he did lots of important things but no one wrote them down

I knew almost all of this, but the dry humor and witty way of bringing history is a short video is really brilliant and entertaining!

after leif Eriksen returned from north america, Thorfinn Karselfni settled northern Newfoundland after 50 or so years, not half a millenia

1:03 'And over here, we see the very first empire in existence... it was a work in progress.'

When you're a monk at Lindesfarne in 793 and you see some ships from Scandinavia heading to you.

Damn they really made Vinland Saga a real thing

This is when Vinland starts 7:49

6:16 I’m pretty sure the biggest reason he’s famous is that his nickname (Bluetooth) was used as the name for a wireless technology, which is meant to unify devices the same way he unified Denmark.

I love how every time something happens in Iceland and the scene is about to cut a volcano goes off in the background 3:50. Your little details are wonderful!

5:24 LMFAO that's so funny. "i don't take christianity seriously, but i don't like that my baptism wasn't as nice as the other guy's"

“This went pretty well...for his enemies” 😂 Nifty video as always guys. Jesus Christ be with you friends.😊

1:36 Frigate Helge Ingstad reference. Sad, but true...

Another masterpiece from Ten Minute History. Wonder what's next.

good channel, definitely up in the top ranks for history channels, along with oversimplified and extra credits' history vids

"And things went pretty well. For his enemies, which is why he died."

1:36 love the Norwegian frigate sinking reference.

I love this channel. The subject matter is great. It’s very informative. But it’s the delivery that makes it so entertaining. Keep doing what you’re doing.

I spy a sneaky sinking norwegian frigate... You cheeky bugger you.

Love that you wrote "köld" haha :D /from a swedish viewer

So nicely done, simple and informative story/maps, well done!

"Greycloack did basically nothing except die in 917". 8:44 "this went pretty well...for his enemies since Hardrada got himzelf killed".

A video about Vikings? *_Thor is typing..._*

Need a follow up on the Vikings in SE Europe and Rus. Great video again

I do like watching and rewatching your episodes. They're educationally entertaining.

Just found this channel and I love the animation and commentary! You did a great job of making it informative and funny. Thanks for all your hard work!

"Destiny is All"....I see what you did there.

Great video! We actually just tackled Viking history last week from a viewer request. Popular culture has definitely skewed the perception of what a Viking is.

When finishing one of your videos, I always feel ever-so-slightly smarter. Greatest compliment on your work, guys.

"Bloodaxe" is so metal

your videos are amazing, probably the best on youtube for learning history. I'd like to suggest perhaps covering the Mexican Revolution.

I love this channel and was thinking of a possible episode featuring the Kalmarunion perhaps focused on Margareth I of Denmark

I love the writing on this channel. This episode is one of the best.

4:48 Love the reference to The Last Kingdom

7:57 "Hinga Danga Durgin!"

"Where is your beard and where is your axe"

As usual, well done! Good series.

Good info, and huge volume of it in 10 minutes. Well done 👍

You should do the seven years war next

Your humour is lit 🔥

Great stuff as always

Seeing the maps really helps clear up some of the other “Viking” history content I’ve seen . Thanks

Gotta get ready for ac valhalla

I wish you'd mentioned how the rurikid family of Russia was descended from viking raiders

The Viking landers 1976. Were the first successful spacecraft to land on mars.

Great job as always.

Rus Vikings: Are we a joke to you? 👁👄👁

Interesting fact: The Vikings who attacked Lindisfarne, were without shields. Obviously they knew for certain they were not going to meet any armed resistance.

My favourite part of any of your videos is when a character runs through a field of daisies. Brilliant.

nice last kingdom reference there at 4:47

I wish you gave Harold Bluetooth a Bluetooth headset.

There was actually some monks on Iceland but thought they'd best be off, iirc

I really love your content. Greetings from Brazil

James Bisonette is an absolute Legend