Anders Winroth Book order

A major reassessment of the vikings and their legacy The Vikings maintain their grip on our imagination, but their image is too often distorted by myth. It is true that they pillaged, looted, and enslaved. But they also settled peacefully and traveled far from their homelands in swift and sturdy ships to explore. The Age of the Vikings tells the full story of this exciting period in history. Drawing on a wealth of written, visual, and archaeological evidence, Anders Winroth captures the innovation and pure daring of the Vikings without glossing over their destructive heritage. He not only explains the Viking attacks, but also looks at Viking endeavors in commerce, politics, discovery, and colonization, and reveals how Viking arts, literature, and religious thought evolved in ways unequaled in the rest of Europe. The Age of the Vikings sheds new light on the complex society, culture, and legacy of these legendary seafarers.

Overturning the received narrative of Europe's military and religious conquest and colonization of the region, the author contends that rather than acting as passive recipients, Scandinavians converted to Christianity because it was in individual chieftains' political, economic and cultural interests to do so.

This interpretation delves into Gratian's Decretum, revealing insights from a newly discovered, shorter original version. It explores the foundational aspects of canon law while highlighting the historical and theological significance of Gratian's work. The book aims to provide a fresh perspective on the development of legal thought in the Church, making it an essential read for scholars and students interested in ecclesiastical history and legal studies.