Welcome to the British History Podcast.

My name is Jamie, and this is episode 176, The Prophecy of Jeremiah.

Quote,

Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised

up from the coasts of the earth.

They shall hold the bow and the lance.

They are cruel, and will not show mercy.

Their voice shall roar like the sea."

Jeremiah 50, 41, 42.

This passage of the Bible and others like it were on the minds of the literate men of the

church in the ninth century.

And you can see why, can't you?

The Christian nations of the west, even their monasteries and other religious houses,

were being attacked by pagans, by the enemies of God himself.

The Vikings must have seemed to be the fulfillment of a dark prophecy.

And predictably, many of the learned men of this era were looking at the advent of

the Viking Age as either divine retribution for their sins, or as a sign that the end

times were nigh.

They look to their holy texts for confirmation, for a guide, and for comfort.

This is common among devout people under strain, even today.

It gives a sense of place, purpose, and of a plan.

Vikings attacking, seas warming, people you don't like getting elected, all of these

...