Top Five Viking Myths by Kristen Painter
Posted on | November 19, 2009 | No Comments
1. Vikings wore horned helmets. Completely untrue. This romanticized image was actually concocted by the Swedish, who apparently think horned helmets are sexy. Not saying they aren’t, but also? Ouch. Vikings wore much simpler skull cap type hats. Horns. Please. Everyone knows those are strictly for blowing.
2. Abroad, Vikings did nothing but fight and pillage. Vikings did pillage many lands. However, plunder was only one among many other goals of their overseas expeditions. Vikings peacefully colonized Iceland, Greenland and many smaller islands. As explorers they crossed the Atlantic and reached America 500 years before Columbus. As international merchants of their time, they also peacefully traded with almost every country of the then known world. Hmm. Sounds like they would have enjoyed a day at the mall.
3. Vikings were unclean. In England, because of their custom of bathing every Saturday, Vikings had a reputation of excessive cleanness. They made and utilized all kinds of hygeine tools such as tweezers, razors and combs. (Also ear spoons, but do we really want to go there?) They even produced their own soap! No word on whether or not they had access to mud wraps and exfoliating cleansers. Can you say metrosexual?
4. Vikings were a nation. Vikings were a groups of warriors, explorers and merchants led by a chieftain. Usually that meant Norwegians, Danes and Swedes, but it could be anyone who joined them. Basically, the Old Norse word víkingr denoted a job, not a people. Want to be a Viking? Send in a resume. Just be sure to shower for the interview.
5. Viking romances are non-existent. I know they can be hard to find, but it’s not impossible. In fact, my book ALL FIRED UP mixes the best of both worlds by bringing a Viking chieftain into modern day Manhattan. You can check it out here, or here if you prefer the Kindle version. Just don’t ask Alrik to wear a horned helmet. That makes him cranky.
- Kristen Painter
www.kristenpainter.blogspot.com
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November 19th, 2009 @ 7:26 am
No horns? Come on. I’m disappointed, but I like the fact they were clean. Go Vikings!! But they were peaceful?? You’re blowing my perceptions.
jean
November 19th, 2009 @ 7:28 am
This world needs more men like this! Which is why, when Alrik showed up in ALL FIRED UP, I couldn’t put the book down. Great first meet (especially loved what he wasn’t wearing and heroine’s reaction!), great love story, great blog, too.
And I’ve always wondered…what is the difference between plundering and pillaging?
xoxo
November 19th, 2009 @ 7:30 am
Thanks for clearing those things up.
November 19th, 2009 @ 8:07 am
Very fascinating information on Vikings! I didn’t know any of that. So Vikings are *really* extra clean, roving and exploring warriors. Truthfully, I’m sort of glad about the horned helmets. I never really cared for those anyway.
And the best news is that All Fired Up is an awesome Viking romance and Alrik is hot.
Hugs,
Lara
November 19th, 2009 @ 8:18 am
Kristin, Fun facts and fun blog. Your book sounds fabulous! I love the idea of mixing both worlds! Somehow I like the old image of horns on helmuts compared to a skull cap though I understand horns could get in the way of lots of things.. Hmmm. Good luck with your book! Will love to read it!
November 19th, 2009 @ 8:40 am
Very cool, Kristen. Gotta love those Vikings. Research can be fun. I like finding details that take me in a new direction. What I’m working on now draws on Old Norse mythology. VERY HOT COVER! Love it!
November 19th, 2009 @ 9:06 am
One can never know too much about vikings. Thanks for the fun factoids. I’m going to spruce up that old resume now and make sure the water pipes in my shower are still functional. But before that, I think I’ll download All Fired Up to my Kindle.
November 19th, 2009 @ 9:37 am
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November 19th, 2009 @ 10:32 am
Oh, Vikings! I love Vikings!
Vikings (mostly Swedish) also traded east into Russia and all the way down to Constantinople. Not just pillaging – Vikings even founded Moscow.
And horns aren’t just for blowing. They’re also for drinking.
November 19th, 2009 @ 12:03 pm
I would totally frequent a Viking Day Spa run by Alrik. I’m just saying.
November 19th, 2009 @ 1:23 pm
Damn…the whole thing about the horned helmets not being true…brings me sadness…
November 19th, 2009 @ 2:25 pm
Thanks for clearing up those misconceptions;)
Personally, just their names sound sexy. Erik… Thor… Alrik… yum!
November 19th, 2009 @ 2:29 pm
I’m totally echoing the horned-helmet disappointment.
November 19th, 2009 @ 4:50 pm
Roxanne – I believe plundering is done in Australia only.
Also, that’s where women glow. Can’t you hear the thunder?
Myth 6: Brett Favre is a Viking. This is untrue. He is a Packer being paid by the Vikings. This makes him a brain-washed captive.
November 19th, 2009 @ 8:36 pm
Oh, Patrick, you make me laugh. You should be a writer. ;o)
November 20th, 2009 @ 8:38 am
I cannot WAIT to download and read this book!!! Congrats on the release! Deidre
November 20th, 2009 @ 2:10 pm
Vikings = hot.
Thanks for the facts, Kristen! I’ve been to the Viking settlement in Newfoundland. Very cool.