From Vikings to Crusaders, the Norman Conquests of the Middle Ages

The Normans were descendants of Scandinavian Viking (Norse) conquerors, and were located in northern France within the city-state Normandy of which they gave their name to "Normans". The Normans played a major political, cultural and military role in medieval Europe, known for their Christian views and backgrounds that date back to the Viking age of Scandinavia during the 11th and 12th centuries. In order to spread their religious views and political idealism they needed to take over most of Europe and they did so by conquests "crusades" which later lead to the successful Siege of Antioch and the expansion of the Crusader Kingdom in Transjordan and the region of Galilee.

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How about a Medieval Helmet for Mardi Gras

Well that day is upon us again, but venetian masks seem too cliche, you want to stand out but still would like to be hidden…hmmm, well I got it! How about a Medieval Helmet for Mardi Gras! Be a Knight or wear a Viking helmet and dangle your beads from the horns! HUZZAH to Mardi Gras! Its time to take it medieval!

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Legendary Gods Of The Vikings

- Odin

He was the God of all Gods. Valhalla was the Vikings afterlife, where all brave vikings went if they died valiantly in battle, Odin ruled this place. It was also said that Odinwas the God of magic, poetry and wisdom. It was also said that in order to drink from Mimir (the fountain of wisdom) he gave up an eye. The English named him Woden while the Germans named him Wotan. He had two ravens named Muninn and Huginn, each daythey would fly forth and discover what was happening throughout the world. Although pictured as an elderly one eyed man, he was still believed to be the almighty of every God, striking fear into the hearts of even the bravest Viking. Although Christianity came about, many still believed in Odin.

- Loki

Loki was thought to be an evil giant with wonderful looks who knew everything about the earth. Edda poetically said that Hel, the ruler of the underworld, and Loki would be the ones to command the forces of evil and battle to the end of the world, in a battle known as Ragnarok. It was also believed that the God of joy and light, Balder, was killed by Loki. Many called him the God of trickery because he would get other Gods to do his bidding through tricks. If the Vikings prayed to the Gods and yet nothing was done, they would often blame Loki.

- Hel

Hel was the goddess of the underworld. She was Loki’s daughter, hence why she was evil. The almighty God Odin was the one who cast Hel into Niflheim, a place also called Hel, and became it’s ruler. The name ‘Hell’ that we use for the afterlife where the damned go, was named thanks to Hel.

- Thor

Thor was the thunder God. He was an Aesir and the best among them, he helped guard them from giants. Thor is the Germanic term for thunder, he was armed with a massive hammer that was meant to represent a thunderbolt. He would throw the hammer in battle and it would automatically fly back to him after killing his enemies. The modern name for Thursday dates back to the vikings Thor’s day. Usually seen as a red haired and bearded giant of a man. He was seen as a God of war, just as Odin was which brought much respect and fear from the Vikings.

- Valkyries

Odin was served by warrior maidens called the Valkyries. Any warrior that died in battle would be taken to Odin by the Valkyries, where he would judge their prowess on the battlefield.

- Valhalla

This is where those killed in glorious battle were taken and where Odin ruled. It was a large hall constructed with 540 doors surrounding it, where 800 warriors could walk. Norse shields were what made up the roof.

Viking Mythology was passed down for many years and is still a part of today’s pop culture especially with the upcoming Marvel film entitled "Thor". Based on the highly anticipated comic under the same name. Become just like one of these legendary gods from the dark age, such as Thor with one of our Norse viking helmets with Real horns! Also be sure to keep an eye out for the new upcoming Thor movie.

Viking Age: Vinland medieval vikings

In the early 1000s, the Scandinavians were looking to reinvigorate marine navigation. Irish Ascetic monks were not interested in broadening geographical knowledge and so it was up to the Norsemen to reinvent and expand it in the Middle Ages.  Throughout the Viking Age, Norseman, Danes and Swedes were colonizing throughout Europe.  The Scandinavian expansion caused the Norsemen to discover new lands as they pushed further west.  They traveled through Great Britain, the Western Isles, Iceland, Greenland and Vinland.  Their desire to separate from Norway led them to their love of adventure and challenge.

Throughout history, groups of people abandoned their homeland in search of political and religious freedom.  The Norsemen were no different.  They wanted freedom from the political strife in Norway.  Their new society previewed what the United States would become thousands of years later.  They created a republican government instead of the traditional monarchy.  Their national independent pride lived strong throughout all of history.

The Norsemen tried to conquer villages and colonies wherever they traveled; however once they reached Vinland and Greenland, their desires were slightly halted.  They encountered aboriginal groups who would not be persuaded to leave and land that was not easily cultivated. This small setback did not discourage the Viking warriors. North America was a final destination as it was geographically so close to Iceland.

The True Viking Warriors

Vikings were not always the Purple People on a football field.  They began as sea explorers and pirates.  The Icelandic language refers to the word Viking as a predatory voyage.  It is thought that they escaped their homeland for religious and political freedoms, although their exact origins have never fully been traced.  Through their voyages to different lands, they conquered and pillaged most settlements that got in their way.

Historians have identified these pirates as Vikings because they have no other name for them.  They may have come from Denmark, Norway or any of the other Scandinavian countries.  They are a group of people without a historical national identity.

The Vikings sailed the seas in their staple long ships.  These ships often had iron-enforced bows for pirate battle.  Men rowing gigantic oars were the engine of the ship.  The sails helped in its maneuverability, but the rowing made these ships a stealthy fleet in the water.

The Viking helmet is cause for more confusion in their history.  Most common depictions of a Viking have him wearing a helmet with pointed horns or wings on either side; however, in the time of the Viking warrior, these types of helmets were scarce. Most likely, Viking warriors wore domed helmets made of leather, or steel covered in leather.

The Vikings created their society in Iceland while still voyaging throughout the Atlantic.  Ancient Icelandic literature tells of the Viking life and language. This literature contains some of the very few actual documents of the Viking way of life.  For the most part, this group of warriors remains a mystery to historians.