The North Germanic cultures of Scandinavia flourished in the Migration Era, giving rise to the powerful chieftainships evidenced by the rich ship burials at Vendel and Valsgarde. By the Eighth Century a combination of environmental factors seems to have led to a rise in population in Scandinavia, and advances in Scandinavian ship-building technology led to the beginnings of the Viking expansion. As raiders, traders, invaders, settlers and explorers, the Vikings expanded into Russia, Britain and Ireland, the Atlantic islands, Iceland and Greenland. Vikings served as troops in the Varangian Guard in Constantinople and discovered North America. They sailed as far north as the Arctic Circle and as far south as the coasts of Africa.

These people had a well-deserved reputation as fearsome warriors, but their vibrant art, skilled craftsmanship, remarkable ocean-going vessels and rich poetry also show that theirs was a complex and varied culture. They have left us masterpieces like the Gokstad and Oseberg ships, the Icelandic sagas and the great rune stones. As the last of the pagan Germanic peoples, their literature also gives us some insight into the now long lost world of the ancient pagan Germanic religious traditions and their language, laws and customs are still with us today.

'Hugrunar' is a group for the discussion of all things Viking.

The Discussions of Hugrunar - The World of the Vikings:

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The Mead of Poetry - Viking Literature and Art

The Word Hoard - Viking Poetry and Sagas
Gripping Beasts - Styles of Viking Art
The Hushed Feast Hall - Poetry for Modern Vikings

Steeds of the Sea - Viking Ships and Sea Faring

The Archaeology of the Viking Ship

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Allynathon I...Odin have Mercy...

This is it! The Really Big Shew!

The Great Army, 865 AD

Planning for The Great Army RP Scenario
Casting for The Great Army RP scenario

Valhalla jeg kommer: Viking Religion and Mythology

Ginnungagap and Beyond: Norse Creation
Norse legends and sagas

The Feeding of Ravens - Viking Warriors and Warfare

Spear Point and Sword Edge - Viking Weapons
Viking Battles

By the Fireside - The Welcoming Thread

Welcome to Hugrunar
The Althing - Group Administration

Fair Fame of Years - History of the Vikings

Gold in the North: Migration Era Scandinavia
The Fury of the Northmen: 793-878 AD
Beyond the World's Edge: Viking Iceland, Greenland and America
The Road to Miklagard: The Vikings in the East
Last of the Vikings: Canute and Hardrada 1000-1066 AD
Gesta Normanorum: The Norman Heirs of the Vikings
Scandinavian England 866 - 954 AD