The Viking Age. Volume 1 (of 2) / The early history, manners, and customs of the ancestors of the English-speaking nations

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

56167

Title

The Viking Age. Volume 1 (of 2) / The early history, manners, and customs of the ancestors of the English-speaking nations

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Paul B. Du Chaillu explores the early history, manners, and customs of the ancestors of English-speaking nations, tracing their seafaring spirit and energy to the Northmen. Drawing on Icelandic Sagas, antiquities, and ancient records, this volume illuminates the mythology, laws, and heroic deeds that shaped a civilization destined to influence the world.

Summary up to 500 words

In *The Viking Age, Volume 1*, Paul B. Du Chaillu presents a comprehensive reconstruction of the lives, customs, and character of the Norse ancestors of the English-speaking peoples. Drawing extensively from hundreds of Icelandic Sagas, the Eddas, and Frankish chronicles, Du Chaillu argues that the 'terrible energy,' extreme bravery, and love of conquest inherent in these Northmen are the foundational roots of the English character. The work posits that the English capacity for self-government, colonization, and prosperity stems directly from the traits of these early seafaring tribes who settled in Britain after the Roman occupation. The narrative begins with Norse cosmogony and mythology, detailing the realms of Asgard and Midgard, and the afterlife in Valhalla. Here, fallen warriors, the *Einherjar*, feast daily on the flesh of the magical boar *Sæhrimnir* and drink mead from the goat Heiðrún. Du Chaillu illustrates the heroic age through the deeds of kings like Harald Fairhair and his son Eirik Blood-axe, whose raids across Europe and tragic fates are recorded in sagas. The text explores the supernatural aspects of Viking life, including the belief in shape-shifting witches (*hamhleypa*), the language of birds, and the use of animal food to incite bravery. A significant portion of the volume is dedicated to the intricate systems of law and social hierarchy found in codes like the *Grágás* and the Gulathing's Law. Du Chaillu examines the legal status of different classes, from freemen to thralls, and the complex procedures for justice, oaths, and compensation. He also provides vivid archaeological descriptions, such as the Gokstad ship, a clinker-built vessel of oak that carried sixteen oars, preserved in blue clay. Through these illustrations of runic stones, artifacts, and ship designs, the book offers a portrait of a culture defined by a profound connection to the sea. Ultimately, Du Chaillu contends that the history of the Northmen is not merely a record of raiding but a story of a people who transformed Britain into a powerful colony. He suggests that the inevitable cycle of birth, growth, and decay applies to all nations, yet the legacy of these ancestors remains illuminated in the history of the English-speaking world. The work serves as both a historical account and a tribute to the 'mother of nations,' England, whose progenitors lived in the glorious countries of the North.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Travel