Scandinavian history in the Viking age - Department of Anglo-Saxon ...

Scandinavian History in the Viking Age
market-town of Ribe (N185 ff.) and the coins produced there (C257). The first recorded Christian
missions to Scandinavia were planned for Denmark in the eighth century, see (B46, B95). For early
central places and manors (C70 ff., N144), and for the legendary (?) royal seat at Lejre:
[D31] T. Christensen, ‘Lejre beyond legend: the archaeological evidence’, JDA 10 (1991), 163-85
[D32] S.W. Andersen, ‘Lejre: skibsætninger, vikingegrave, Grydehøj’, ANOH 1993, 7-142
The Danevirke
The earliest phases of the ‘Danevirke’, the fortified rampart extending across the southern part of the
Jutland peninsula, date from the early eighth century. For surveys in English, see (D7):141-46 and (D27),
and for more detail:
[D35] V. La Cour, Danevirkestudier: en arkæologisk-historisk undersøgelse (1951)
[D36] H.H. Andersen et al., Danevirke: tekst, plancher, JASS 13 (1976) [UL S460:01.b.23.14-15]
The ninth century
Denmark emerges into the light of recorded history in the ninth century due to the (usually uneasy)
relations with the Frankish empire; the essential sources are the various sets of Frankish annals (B50 ff.),
which reveal a bewildering multiplicity of ‘kings’ engaged in various activities.
[D40] O. Olsen, ‘Royal power in Viking age Denmark’, (O55):27-32
[D41] K.L. Maund, ‘“A turmoil of warring princes”: political leadership in ninth-century Denmark’,
Haskins Society Journal 6 (1994), 29-47
[D42] S. Coupland, ‘From poachers to gamekeepers: Scandinavian warlords and Carolingian kings’,
EME 7 (1998), 85-114
Godfred
Of particular importance is the role of king Godfred in the first decade of the century, not least in his
establishment of the town of Hedeby (N195 ff.). For retrospective assessments of Godfred see (D40, D70
ff.); for recent archaeological excavations:
[D44] M. Ravn, ‘Nybro: en trævej fra Kong Godfreds tid’, Kuml 1999, 227-57 (E.s.)
Horik I
N. Lund, ‘Horik den Førstes udenrigspolitik’, DHT (2001), 1-22.
Anskar and Christianity
The other major development in the early ninth century was the beginning of organised Christian
missions sponsored by the Frankish emperor Louis the Pious, as recorded by Ermold (B47) and above all
Rimbert (B72); see (L115 ff.). For the important correspondence relating to the establishment of
Hamburg-Bremen as responsible for these missions, see (B741 ff.); pope Nicholas I’s letter to king Horik
of 864 can be found in (B736b):293-94. Scattered remarks on Franco-Danish relations can be found in
the general textbooks cited in (A), see also the following collection of essays:
[D47] P. Godman and R. Collins, (edd.), Charlemagne’s heir: new perspectives on the reign of Louis the
Pious (814-840) (1990) [UL 560:46.c.95.30]
The early tenth century
According to Adam of Bremen (B73) a ‘Swedish’ dynasty established itself around Hedeby at the
beginning of the tenth century, but the interpretation of this material is highly debatable. The names of
some of these rulers seem to be attested on runestones from the town, while chroniclers such as
Widukind (B61) and Thietmar (B63) report the forced baptism of a king Chnuba (Gnúpa) in 934 by
Henry I.
[D50] N. Lund, ‘Svenskevældet i Hedeby’, ANOH 1980 (1982), 114-25
[D51] E. Hoffmann, Beiträge zur Geschicte der Beziehungen zwischen dem deutschen und dem
dänischen Reich für die Zeit von 934 bis 1035’, 850 Jahre St.-Petri-Dom zu Schleswig, 1134-1984, edd.
C. Radtke and W. Körber (1984), 105-32
[D52] E. Moltke, ‘Det svenske Hedebyrige og Danmarks samling’, ANOH 1985 (1986), 16-28
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