In chapter 8 of Króka-Refs saga, Refur made a spear for himself which could be used for cutting, thrusting, or hewing. Refur split Þorgils in two down to his shoulders with the spear.
Viking ship figurehead from Trondenes Historical Centre in Norway.
Although this plaque could merely have been a domestic smoothing board, it is thought that they also had some religious significance and were perhaps symbolic of owner’s status. In particular the plaques have been linked to the Norse fertility goddess Freyja and may have served some ritual purpose within her worship.
Nicholas Roerich. Longships Built in the Land of the Slavs (1903)
According to the Kievan Rus’ Primary Chronicle, compiled in about 1113, groups of Varangians included Norsemen known as Rus’, just as some were known as Swedes, Normans, Angles, Gotlanders and so on. However, due largely to geographic considerations, most of the Varangians who traveled and settled in the eastern Baltic, Russia and lands to the south came from the area of modern Sweden.
Bucket List: Boat trips on Roskilde Fjord
The Viking Ship Museum is Denmark’s museum for ships, seafaring and maritime crafts in prehistoric and medieval times. The museum combines cultural exhibitions with activities relating to Viking Age society and the maritime culture of the Vikings.
The museum’s boat and ship collection consisting of reconstructed Viking ships and traditional Nordic single, square-sail rigged boats play an active part of the museum’s presentation.
During sailing season from the 1 May til 30 of September, guests can step on board as crew and experience their sailing abilities on Roskilde Fjord.
