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Selja Monastery - The Sacred Island off the West Coast of Norway
Selja monastery has been considered one of the most sacred sites in Norway for more than 1000 years. The monastery is connected to the legend of St. Sunniva (10th century CE), who is the only female Norwegian saint, and was for a long time...
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Viking Iron Fishing Hooks
The Vikings did not use fishing reels or poles. Instead, they tied hooks to a fishing line made from sheep, cow, or walrus intestines, then pulled the fish up by hand. On a small rowing boat out on the open ocean, this was a very dangerous...
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Lewis Chessmen
The famous Lewis Chessmen, now in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh and the British Museum in London, are high-quality examples of the type of chessmen the Scandinavians produced. It is believed the Lewis Chessmen were made in...
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Olaf Tryggvason
Statue of the Norwegian King Olaf Tryggvason (r. 995–1000 CE) located in the city of Trondheim in Norway. Olaf is usually seen as having played an important part in the conversion of Norse to Christianity.
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Viking Game Pieces
Decorative game pieces may have been used to play checkers or backgammon, two games known in Viking Age Scandinavia through trade with the Middle East. These pieces are made from wood and date to c. 800-1000 CE. They are Norwegian in provenance...
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Battle of Stamford Bridge
The Battle of Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire, England on 25 September 1066 CE saw an army led by English king Harold II (r. Jan-Oct 1066 CE) defeat an invading force led by Harald Hardrada, king of Norway (r. 1046-1066 CE). Hardrada, aided...