When it comes to Vikings and the media, certain historical facts seem to been either forgotten, not mentioned at all, or have just been made up. Hopefully, the video below will clear-up some of those misconceptions you might have when it comes to them. Present day researchers don’t think the Vikings, who were groups of unorganized clans living in the Nordic area of Europe, were the bloodthirsty savage giants that they are often made out to be.

In fact, they were clean, average size men. They were incredible seafarers and prolific traders. One thing is clear, these people lived in harsh geographical areas, so life wasn’t easy for them, More often than not, toughness and violence was not just tolerated, it was almost expected if you wanted to survive in Viking society.

The Vikings were a seafaring people from the late eighth to early 11th century who established a name for themselves as traders, explorers and warriors. They discovered the Americas long before Columbus and could be found as far east as the distant reaches of Russia.

While these people are often attributed as savages raiding the more civilized nations for treasure and women, the motives and culture of the Viking people are much more diverse. These raiders also facilitated many changes throughout the lands from economics to warfare.

Many modern perceptions of Vikings found their origins through early church propaganda. Upon the sacking of multiple Christian monasteries and the loss of countless relics and treasures, the church sought to dehumanize them.

Until Queen Victoria’s rule of Britain, the Vikings were still portrayed as a violent and barbaric people. During the 19th and 20th centuries, perceptions changed to the point where Vikings were glamorized as noble savages with horned helmets, a proud culture and a feared prowess in battle.