Norse Tales

Runes Part 2: How to Use Runes Today: A Practical Guide to Reading and Casting Runes

Reading runes is both an intuitive and structured process. While no two readers approach the runes exactly alike, certain foundational techniques can help you get started. Below, we’ll cover everyt...

Runes Part 1: The History and Meaning of Viking Runes: A Beginner's Guide

The story of Viking runes begins long before the age of horned helmets and dragon-prowed ships. Scholars believe the runic alphabet originated around 150 CE, during the early Germanic Iron Age, evo...

Viking Feast: How to Prepare a Feast, the Norse Way

The Vikings were not just fierce warriors and intrepid explorers—they were also skilled cooks who knew how to make the most of their rugged environment. From hearty stews simmered over open fires t...

The Legacy of the Vikings: How Norse Culture Influences Modern Life

Though the Viking Age ended nearly a thousand years ago, its impact reverberates through time, shaping everything from the words we speak to the stories we tell and the trends we embrace. The Vikin...

Porri: The Norse Winter Spirit and the Origins of Þorrablót

Þorrablót, an ancient Norse winter festival with roots stretching back to the Viking Age, remains a vibrant celebration in modern-day Iceland. This midwinter feast honors Þorri, a mythical spirit a...

The Legacy of the Viking Age in England

As the Viking Age in England drew to a close, its impact continued to ripple through the nation’s cultural, linguistic, and political fabric. The Norse presence, marked by conquest, settlement, and...

The Danelaw: A New Order in England

By the late 9th century, the Viking Age in England had entered a new phase. Following the campaigns of the Great Heathen Army, the Norse settlers began transitioning from conquerors to rulers. The ...

From Raiders to Settlers: The Great Heathen Army

In 865 CE, the Viking raids on England transformed from sporadic strikes into a coordinated campaign of conquest. This marked the arrival of the Great Heathen Army, a formidable force that swept th...

The Viking Arrival: Raids, Plunder, and Shockwaves

The year 793 CE marked a turning point in English history. It was the year when the tranquility of England’s coasts was shattered by a thunderous storm from the North. The first recorded Viking rai...

England Before the Vikings: A Land of Kings and Chaos

Before the Viking ships appeared on England's shores, the land was a patchwork of kingdoms, each vying for dominance. This period, known as the Anglo-Saxon era, was marked by division, ambition, an...