Harald Bluetooth: Did you mean...?

In Scandinavia, Christianity spread due to the support and encouragement of political rulers at the top of the society above all else. Conversion, defined here as the actions taken by kings or clerics to introduce the new religion, did not...

A silver cross coin from the later part of Harald Bluetooth's reign, produced c. 940-985 CE. Such coins were part of nationwide currency introduced by Harald, and prominently bore the cross which was emblematic of his conversion to Christianity...

Harald Bluetooth being baptized by Bishop Poppo the missionary, probably c. 960. Baptismal font in Tamdrup Kirke, Denmark, c. 1200.

The Viking Age (c. 790-1100 CE) transformed every aspect of the cultures the Norse came in contact with. The Vikings usually struck without warning and, in the early years, left with their plunder and slaves to be sold as quickly as they...

The mercenary Varangian Guard was an elite Byzantine army corps and the personal bodyguard of emperors beginning with Basil II in c. 988 CE. The Viking unit was famous for the stature of its members and their blood-thirsty conduct in battle...

A 13th century CE depiction of the Norwegian king Harald III, aka Harald Hardrada (r. 1046-1066 CE) at the Battle of Fulford Gate on 20 September 1066 CE. (From "The Life of King Edward the Confessor" by Matthew Paris).

A stained glass window from Kirkwall Cathedral, Orkney showing Harald Hardrada, king of Norway (aka Harald III, r. 1046-1066 CE)

A statue of Harald Fairhair, the first king of Norway (c. 850 – c. 932 CE). The statue was erected in 1872 CE, at the Haraldshaugen monument in Haugesund, Norway.

A 14th century CE Icelandic manuscript illustration depicting Harald Fairhair, the first king of a united Norway (r. c. 872-933 CE). (Árni Magnússon Institute, Iceland)

The Viking raids and subsequent settlements define the period known as the Viking Age in Britain which had profound consequences on the development of the culture and language. The raids started in June of 793 CE when three ships docked at...