Were Vikings Barbarians or Explorers? - Vikings: The Lost Realm - S01 EP1 - History Documentary

In this gripping episode of Vikings: The Lost Realm we delve into the dawn of the Viking Age, and ask the question were the Vikings barbariamns or explorers? Witness the first brutal Viking raid on the peaceful Northumbrian monastery of Lindisfarne, and join us as we question their savage reputation. This History Documentary explores Vikings not just as feared plunderers, but as pioneering explorers, whose bold seafaring voyages reshaped the map of Europe. Discover the complex Viking legacy that still echoes today.

[@petrifi1]

I really hate the rushing sensational music. Why is that? Does everything always have to be accompanied by sensational music? Why why why?

[@WinstonVanCoon]

It happens.

[@Orfeus3000]

Not confident the story and filming is strong enough on its own

[@Perspectiveon]

As the history is written by Christian monks the present day perception leaves out an all important context: For decades leading up to the raid on Lindisfarne (793) Charlemagne had launched Christian Crusades on Pagans in Frisia and Saxony slaughtering in the thousands those who refused to convert (770s - 800s). Frisians and Saxons were related/connected to Pagans in Scandinavia and many undoubtedly fled there. Leader of the Saxon resistance Widukind probably even asked for Scandinavian assistance. Viking (meaning Raider/Trader/Explorer) raids was nothing new in 793. Finds in East Baltic Sea shows raids long before Lindisfarne. New was Christian holdings getting raided. Specifically related to Lindisfarne is Charlemagne's actions made Christian holdings targets for the Vikings ! Angles, Saxons and Jutes in Britannia was related/connected to Scandinavian Pagans also, originally immigrated from the same lands after Romes fall (450 - ) and still speaking similar languages. In Scandinavia Christianization must have been perceived an existencial threat by the time Lindisfarne was raided. Fortifications build/expanded just North of Saxony across the mainland (Dannevirke 790s-800s) and subsequent massive ring-fortresses in Denmark during the 800s (Trelleborg, Aggersborg, Fyrkat, Nonnebakken) indicates the threat they felt. Further Christian holdings was raided in Ireland (796) and Aquitaine (799). The Viking Era didn't end with Hastings 1066 as commonly portrayed. Hardrada's Army of 1066 was not a Viking Army, but a regular Army arriving to fight a Succession War for the throne of England. The Viking Era ended when Scandinavian Pagans became Christians which for the most part was late 900s. The Danish King Harald Bluetooth converted to Christianity to end fighting/defending against the Holy Roman Empires relentless Christian Crusades against Northern Germanic Pagans (By no means a new invention when Pope Urbanus II announced the first Crusade on Jerusalem 1098). Harald forced his people to convert and secured sovereignty. His Christian grandson Knut/Canute became King of both England (1016), Denmark (1018) and Norway (1028) and thus ended the Era.

[@anneh2375]

Interesting to know more baklground about what was happening at the time. I had heard somewhere that the raids may have acts of desperation and revenge on the early Christians. A result of being shunned or blocked from trading with their previous partners.

[@BinkyTheElf1]

They could’ve rung the bell all day.. no help was coming.” 1. Scandinavian traders had been sailing to England for years. Some trade, some scouting out riches maybe? Seeing sails was common. 2. Bebbanburh castle is just down the coast. However, to get the militia & regular troops together and organized wouldn’t happen right away. Hence the Vikingr hit-and-run tactics against largely undefended targets. The later invasions by armies of “The Danes” was a different phase in the attacks on the British Isles and Ireland.

[@Andy_Babb]

Ugh this series is FANTASTIC. Thank you!! If you’re ever able, could you try to upload the Vikings series from Nat Geo called _Vikings: The Rise and Fall?_ Great channel! Love, love, love the documentary topics - especially ancient Britain and Europe!!!

[@lynnmanning2795]

My heritage! Spirit, exploration,.Thoes that settled Iceland are my in my genealogy!

[@joebolick112]

These are great shows! Love this channel!

[@jeffmike.ed.d]

I’ve heard theories that Lindisfarne was a response to the Massacre at Verden. It would be great if Banijay would cover Charlemagne at Verden.

[@hogwashmcturnip8930]

There are also those that doubt the veracity of the 'raid', as the only evidence is as stated here. Curious that no digs have ever found anything to suggest anything violent happened there.

[@chris.asi_romeo]

Love watching this Viking Dead documentary series.

[@sheepdog1102]

Excellent job 😊

[@bradpaul8576]

The small room attached to the excavated chapel, sanctuary or sacristy?

[@mjoelnir1899]

Christians did not respect holy places of the heathens. Why should heathens respect the holy places of Christianity'?

[@andrewlamb8055]

Wow! Thank you again Dr Tabor ⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️💫💫💫⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👏👏👏

[@einienj3281]

Barbarians or explorers? Both.

[@WinstonVanCoon]

Barbarians and explorers? Centuries of cultural influence stretching throughout the Mediterranean, Constantinople, The Silk Road, even a settlement at Newfoundland, North America -- That's half a millennia before Columbus. Gather 100-people, and ask, "Imagine the Vikings, what two nouns come to mind first?" You'd soon learn how nuanced their answers would be. (Hyperbolically speaking)

[@chris.asi_romeo]

Both

[@einienj3281]

@@WinstonVanCoon I'm nordic myself, vikings were both. Barbaric towards others, yet very cultured and civilized among themselves.

[@einienj3281]

@@chris.asi_romeo Yes.

[@liveliestawfulness]

Had my share of nightmares, Didn't think there could be much more. Then in walked Rodrick Usher with the Lady Eleanor.

[@aggressiveprefector1]

Why do they have vikings sailing around playing techno music😂

[@tangara7166]

Music is to loud over the voice, making it hard to hear. Adjust levels, please.

[@phearlesspharaoh3697]

I only recently found out through dna that these were my people from Norway and Denmark that committed these atrocities. But by dna I also found out that my people were also murdered in cold blood by the Anglo Saxons and Britons Who BTW are also my people. 😂🤣

[@skyhigh1154]

Goed verhaal, lekker kort.

[@colemarsh13]

Yes!!!...and much much more

[@olafuragustgudmundsson4464]

Marines.

[@DeNihility]

What the British think of when Scandanavians say they're going grocery shopping in Britain:

[@TheMightycfc]

Its such a crazy thought these nuts were just sailing all around doing as they please that muat have been cool

[@saltabiten6088]

Yes , no idiotic music

[@jlee111776]

No physical dating of objects...hmmmmm...bones that haven't been dated...hmmmm....yes please! Jump to conclusions...smh

[@grandam195]

This video has a serious problem. You keep calling the Nurse people Vikings. Vikings are not a people. Viking is a verb. You go a Viking. It's something you do. Explore, trade, raid if you dare and think you can get away with it. It was what young men did to blow off excess testosterone and to gain wealth and prestige. Since the eldest sons got the lands and titles of the father. Younger sons had to go seek their fame and fortunes if they could. You trade with equals or stronger people and you raid weaker. Lots of Nordic people went Viking. Not just men either. Lots of them returned with family and goods to settle. Exploring for available lands was a big part of it.

[@korgen-rock]

they wanted to avenge the Christianization and killing that happened in Denmark. The Norwegians wanted to set a statement with the lindisfarne raid

[@johnnyr2646]

Hmmm theyre not of berber heritage or lineage so the answer to the question of are they barbarians is silly.

[@garychynne1377]

we were pagans they were christians. 🗡🏹

[@chris.asi_romeo]

Why are they called Vikings and not the Nordics??? Nordics sounds more catchy.

[@mitcha1065]

hit and run is cowardly

[@danrobsonjr247]

Echoes of the past also echoed the future. It’s no different today. Today criminals go after those who cannot or will not defend themselves. They saw an easy target and hit it knowing that no one was going to fight back. They didn’t have it so easy when they tried it In Scotland we fought back. My ancestors were those of clan Gunn . If anyone has additional information on clan Gunn I would like to hear from you. As for the subject at hand throughout history those who raided always went after the weak and wealthy rather than those who could and would fight back. Granted they did eventually go after stronger targets but by then they had larger forces with which to raid with. But like the Roman Empire they had a very difficult time with Scotland as did the British. Like I have said to others look at the past for lessons of the future because there are always those who are destined to repeat the past because they have not learned from the past. Much like democrats today who are bent upon erasing the past and history. That is a mistake. History is their to learn from its not their to be erased and rewritten to fit a group’s agenda or beliefs.