Medieval Scandinavia and the Vikings
Raiders, Traders and Travelers 
The medieval Vikings were not just the fierce raiders of stereotype, though they did descend on coastal Britain and elsewhere with terrifying raids from longships that could sail a considerable distance upriver. They were also traders who traveled the world, including eastward where they were known as the "Rus" and gave Russia its name. In Constantinople, Viking warriors served as personal guards to the Byzantine emperor, where were known as the Varangian Guard.During the climate crises of the Middle Ages, they fared westward to Iceland, Greenland and even North America, searching for good farmland. Not all medieval Scandinavians raided; most stayed home and pursued lives as farmers, craftsmen and merchants as in the rest of Europe, but in a colder climate that presented special challenges. Beginning in the eighth century, Christian missionaries traveled to Scandinavia, and by the thirteenth century, most Scandinavians had adopted Christianity. Raiders, Traders and Travelers
Poul and Karen Anderson, The Golden Horn (1980), about Harald Hardrada; #1 in the Last Viking trilogy.Poul and Karen Anderson, The Road of the Sea Horse Poul and Karen Anderson, The Sign of the Raven (1980), about Harald Hardrada; #3 in the Last Viking trilogy.
Al Bas, Harald and the Holy Cross Frans Gunnar Bengtsson, The Long Ships Farnham Bishop and Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur, In the Grip of the Minotaur George Mackay Brown, Vinland (2005), about a young Viking who voyages from Orkney to Norway, Iceland and Ireland during the shift from paganism to Christianity. Victor Canning, Raven's Wind (1983), a Viking adventure novel set during the time of Alfred the Great. Michael Crichton, Eaters of the Dead (1976), historical fantasy about a tenth century Arab explorer in Viking Russia and Britain, based on the historical manuscript of Ibn Fadlan and the epic poem Beowulf. Eric R. Eddison, Styrbiorn the Strong Michael Ennis, Byzantium David Gibbins, Crusader Gold (2006), a novel which imagines that Vikings sacked the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem and tells the story of a modern archaeologist who discovers a map that could lead to the discovery of the Temple treasure. H. Rider Haggard, The Saga of Eric Brighteyes (1891), an adventure story about a Viking and his efforts to win the woman he loves in the face of obstacles ranging from her reluctant parents, a rival suitor, and the woman's half-sister, who wants him for herself. John Halsted, The Legend of the Last Vikings: Taklamakan
Cecelia Holland, The Witches' Kitchen (2004), historical fantasy about a Viking in Vinland who sets out on a sea voyage in an attempt to make amends for the murder of Eric Bloodaxe; #2 in the Soul Thief series. Cecelia Holland, The Serpent Dreamer (2005), historical fantasy about a Viking who returns to Vinland to find his sister caught between this world and the next; #3 in the Soul Thief series. Cecelia Holland, Varanger (2008), historical fantasy about the leader of a group of Vikings and their travels in Russia; #4 in the Soul Thief series. Cecelia Holland, The High City (2009), about a traveler who draws the dangerous attention of Emperor Basil II amid a war between Basil and a potential usurper; #5 in the Soul Thief series. Review
Robert Hyslop, Viking (2008), about a Viking's travels in Iceland and elsewhere; #2 in the Wanderer trilogy; self-published. Robert Hyslop, Varangian (2008), about a Viking's travels in Russia and Byzantium; #3 in the Wanderer trilogy; self-published.
Giles Kristian, Blood Eye (2009), about a carpenter's apprentice taken prisoner by Viking warriors, who comes to enjoy their life of adventure and savagery; #1 in the Raven series. Giles Kristian, Sons of Thunder (2010), about a band of Vikings bent on revenge who pursue the man who has stolen their ship; #2 in the Raven series. Review James Richard Larson, The Eye of Odin (2003), about the father of Erik the Red; self-published. James Richard Larson, Wolfgar: The Story of a Viking (2006), about a shipwrecked tenth century Viking; self-published.
Robert Low, The Wolf Sea (2008), about Viking raiders; #2 in the Oathsworn series. Robert Low, The White Raven
Tim Severin, Sworn Brother (2005), about an eleventh century Viking's adventures, ranging from England to Byzantium; #2 in the Viking trilogy. Tim Severin, King's Man (2005), about the involvement of eleventh century Vikings in the Norman conquest of England; #3 in the Viking trilogy.
Medieval Sweden, Norway and Denmark
Poul Anderson, Hrolf Kraki's Saga (1973), based on medieval Norse sagas, including fantasy elements consistent with the sagas.Poul Anderson, Mother of Kings (2001), set in Norway and Viking England. Poul Anderson, War of the Gods: The Epic Saga of Hadding, The Legendary Viking King and Warrior (1997), based on medieval Norse sagas.
Bernard King, Vargr-Moon (1986), based on early Danish sagas; #2 in the Starkadder trilogy. Bernard King, Death-Blinder
Sigrid Undset, The Bridal Wreath (Norwegian edition 1920; first English translation 1923; also titled The Wreath), about a woman in fourteenth century Norway, by an author who won the Nobel prize; #1 in the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy. Review Sigrid Undset, The Mistress of Husaby (Norwegian edition 1921; first English translation 1925), about a woman in fourteenth century Norway, by an author who won the Nobel prize; #2 in the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy. Sigrid Undset, The Cross (Norwegian edition 1922; first English translation 1927), about a woman in fourteenth century Norway, by an author who won the Nobel prize; #3 in the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy. Sigrid Undset, The Axe (English translation 1928), about a man and woman in medieval Norway who were betrothed as children but must fight to be wedded after plans change and they are expected to marry other people; #1 in the Master of Hestviken quartet. Sigrid Undset, The Snake Pit (English translation 1929), about a young married couple in medieval Norway who are burdened by guilt; #2 in the Master of Hestviken quartet. Sigrid Undset, In the Wilderness (English translation 1929), about a wealthy and respected widower in medieval Norway whose guilt leads him to a life at sea; #3 in the Master of Hestviken quartet. Sigrid Undset, The Son Avenger (English translation 1930), about an elderly widower in medieval Norway who must watch his children repeat the tragic mistakes he once made himself; #4 in the Master of Hestviken quartet. Vikings in Iceland, Greenland and North America
Joan Clark, Eiriksdottir: A Tale of Dreams and Luck (1994), about the Viking expedition to Vinland on the American continent from the perspective of the daughter of the expedition's leader.Bernard du Boucheron, The Voyage of the Short Serpent (2008), a darkly humorous story about a medieval bishop sent to a doomed Catholic colony on Greenland to collect tithes and punish sinners. Margaret Elphinstone, The Sea Road (2000), about the Viking expedition to Vinland on the American continent from the perspective of a Viking woman. Cecelia Holland, Two Ravens Tom Holt, Meadowland: A Novel of the Viking Discovery of America (2005), a humorous story of the Vinland discovery, narrated by a Scandinavian soldier in the Byzantine Varangian Guard. Jeff Janoda, Saga: A Novel of Medieval Iceland (2005), set in medieval Iceland. Judith Lindbergh, The Thrall’s Tale (2006), a literary novel of a woman's revenge, set in medieval Greenland. Stuart W. Mirsky, The King of Vinland's Saga (1998), about the Viking expedition to Vinland on the American continent; self-published. Nevil Shute, An Old Captivity (1940; also titled Vinland the Good), about a pilot hired to make an aerial survey of Greenland whose dreams about life as a Viking slave include important historical details. Jane Smiley, Greenlanders (1988), set in medieval Greenland. Betsy Tobin, Ice Land (2009), literary historical fantasy about Freya, the Norse goddess of love, and a human woman who falls in love with a man from an enemy clan in Iceland at the turn of the first millenium. William Vollmann, The Ice Shirt (1990), about the Viking discovery of Vinland in North America; #1 in the Seven Dreams series (see 17th Century page for others in the series). Top of Page
|
(1916 as a magazine serial; 2010 in book form), about a band of Vikings who journey into the Mediterranean and experience Troy and Minoan Crete. (Set in ancient, not medieval times, but the listing seems to fit better on this page than on the Ancient History page.)
(2008), historical fantasy based on the Old English epic "Beowulf," about a Norse hero who sets out to avenge the murder of his father; self-published.
(2009), about Viking raiders; #3 in the Oathsworn series.