The conflict between the Saxons and the Franks during the late 700s and early 800s wasn’t just a random clash. Inflamed by a missionary zeal, it resonates in the 21st century
Category: 9th century
Mapping the Viking Age World
By mapping historical and archaeological evidence of Viking activity c. 793 - 920, a thesis lays bare a new history of the Early Viking age’s geopolitical landscape
When Vikings Attacked Xanten in AD 864 and the Saxons Saved the Day
In the middle of the 9th century, Vikings sailed up the major European sacking and robbing monasteries. One such raid went up the river Rhine and reached Xanten in 864. The annals of Xanten provides us with a lively story
New Research about Mikulčice in Greater Moravia
Mikulčice was a Slavic settlement from the 9th century. With the remains of fortifications, a palace, twelve churches, a huge acropolis and extensive suburbs, it continues to yield new insights into the early history of Moravia
Horses and dogs accompanied the Vikings on their raids to England in the 9th century.
Strontium analyses of cremated remains of a Viking and his hound and horse demonstrate he arrived from Norway or Sweden accompanied by his animals.
The Rus – the Vikings of the East
In January 2022, the Museum at Moesgaard in Århus plans to open a new exhibition telling how the Vikings - the Rus - conquered the East while sailing, trading, raiding and settling from Novgorod to Kiev.
Making and Unmaking the Carolingians
What is power? How do you wield its symbols? And how did the Carolingians master the noble art of ruling over vast tracts of Europe? New book by Stuart Airlie tells the story
Constructing and deconstructing the Gokstad mound
Norwegian archeologists are revisiting the old mounds ind which Viking Ships were buried. It appears, these mounds were carefully created as part of the burial traditions.
Gardens in Early Medieval Iberia ca. 750–1000
In 1974 the historian Andrew Watson published an influential article in which he coined the phrase: The Arab Agricultural Revolution. How has this thesis fared? What do we know today about gardening in Early Medieval Iberia?
The Great Halls at Lejre – Seat of the Scyldingas
For the last thirty years archaeologists have excavated at Gl. Lejre, discovering an impressive series of seven great halls, succeeding each other for 500 years.
Early Medieval Settlements at Hegranes in Northern Iceland
Detailed history of the 9th-11th century settlements at Hegranes explores the ecological and social history of Early Iceland
Viking and Medieval Halls
From Late Antiquity to the High Middle Ages, halls were the central focus of elite residences in Northern Europe
Tissø – A Cultural, Commercial, and Elite Centre from the Viking Age
Right on the west bank of Lake Tissø in Western Zealand in Denmark, archaeologists has excavated a significant part of what turned out to be a major Viking manor.
Sigfred and Godfred (804 – 810) – Ferocious Vikings from the North
In the Frankish Annals, we read about Saxon and Slavic rebellions to the north involving several Danish kings. Who were they? Also, how should we characterise their way of life?
Merovingian and Carolingian Quedlinburg
Quedlinburg is mentioned for the first time in 923, when Henry I confirms a donation to the Bishop of Würzburg. However, the story reaches back into the Early Middle Ages.
Early Medieval London c. 770 – 950
Londinium, Lundenwic, Lundenburh, London. Different names for the same place. At least, such was the belief until the late 20the century, when archaeologists could report that the history of the settlement was more complex.