Olaf Tryggvason’s life reads like a Viking saga brought to life. Born into royal blood in Norway, he was forced into exile as a child and eventually sold into slavery by raiders in the Baltic before ...

If these coastal bases did support North Sea raids, it suggests the Viking “shock” of the late eighth century had deeper roots in Roman-era networks, mercenary service, and shipbuilding know-how.

The high seat was the chieftain’s fixed place in the longhouse. This is neither an original nor a replica. The decoration is based on other archaeological finds and written source material. The ...