The Viking Age occurred from late 8th century to mid-11th century. Within this time frame Viking populations across the globe experienced a number of significant changes that signalled the transformation of the Viking age. It should be made clear that this essay will argue for the transformation of the Viking age, as opposed to the end. The main factors behind this transformation are primarily religious in nature, a claim supported by Angus A. Somerville and R. Andrew McDonald, who cite, ‘the conversion of Scandinavians to Christianity and the development of unitary Christian kingships in Scandinavia,’ as two of the most decisive factors in leading to the transformation. Another factor that will be taken into account within this essay, is
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Perhaps the most recognisable of these defeats occurred in 1066, when the King of Norway Harald Sigurdsson Hard ruler fought a British force at Stamford Bridge. According to Anders Winroth, ‘the battle of Stamford Bridge stands as a fitting epilogue to the Viking Age, as it was to be the last major Viking battle in Western Europe.’ Whilst military defeats could be used to support the argument favouring the end of the Viking age, Due to it potentially demonstrating how the Vikings lost their status as fearsome warriors. This school of thought is dismissed by Winroth however who in support of this essays claims for transformation, cites, ‘Defensive measures and kings at home in Scandinavia who no longer tolerated freebooting Vikings,’ as the main reason for the lack of future battles after the eleventh century. Overall it is clear therefore that during the latter stages of the Viking age the mentality towards battles and raiding changed back home thus supporting this essays claim that the Vikings adapted and transformed towards the end of the Viking
Perhaps the most recognisable of these defeats occurred in 1066, when the King of Norway Harald Sigurdsson Hard ruler fought a British force at Stamford Bridge. According to Anders Winroth, ‘the battle of Stamford Bridge stands as a fitting epilogue to the Viking Age, as it was to be the last major Viking battle in Western Europe.’ Whilst military defeats could be used to support the argument favouring the end of the Viking age, Due to it potentially demonstrating how the Vikings lost their status as fearsome warriors. This school of thought is dismissed by Winroth however who in support of this essays claims for transformation, cites, ‘Defensive measures and kings at home in Scandinavia who no longer tolerated freebooting Vikings,’ as the main reason for the lack of future battles after the eleventh century. Overall it is clear therefore that during the latter stages of the Viking age the mentality towards battles and raiding changed back home thus supporting this essays claim that the Vikings adapted and transformed towards the end of the Viking