The

The I'm not I'm I'm

I'm

I'm Hello and welcome to the history of Vikings.

The Viking Age began at the end of the 8th century, when seafaring

Northmen plundered and eventually settled large portions of Western Europe, most notably

in England, Ireland, and France. At the same time that this occurred, the Vikings also traveled east, crossing the Baltic into modern-day Russia and Ukraine, where they founded settlements.

Our topic of discussion today is the Vikings in Russia. We'll be discussing why the Vikings went to Russia.

Viking activity in Byzantium and Constantinople, the Varangian

Guard, trade relationships, Harold Hardrada of Norway, and much more. Joining me on the podcast today

is Dr. Elizabeth Ashman Row, reader in Scandinavian history at the University of Cambridge.

Dr. Rowe has been teaching Viking and medieval Scandinavian history since 2008.

A graduate of Cornell University, she is the author of numerous articles about Scandinavian

history and literature. Her first book was about the Icelandic illuminated

manuscript, known as Flatierbach, and her second book was about Ragnar Lothbrook. Most recently,

Dr. Rowe has edited a fantastic book titled Writing Battles, New Perspectives on Warfare and Memory in Medieval Europe,

which we will discuss later, and Norse Gaelic contacts in a Viking world, which will also

be discussing later. Before we get into my conversation with Elizabeth, I want to tell you that

we've recently partnered with Medieval Warfare

magazine as a way to support this podcast. Medieval warfare is the highest quality magazine

dedicated to the warriors and weapons of the Middle Ages. Every issue features specially

commissioned artwork and original maps that bring medieval combat to life.

...