Eleanor Barraclough details the evolution of the Vikings from raiders to conquerors and settlers who established vast territories. Following a massive raid on Paris that yielded 7,000 pounds of gold, the "Great Heathen Army" invaded England in 865 AD, cre

Eleanor Barraclough details the evolution of the Vikings from raiders to conquerors and settlers who established vast territories. Following a massive raid on Paris that yielded 7,000 pounds of gold, the "Great Heathen Army" invaded England in 865 AD, creating the Danelaw where Norse law and place names left a permanent linguistic imprint. Simultaneously, the "Rus" expanded eastward, navigating Eurasian rivers to settle Novgorod by 862 AD, demonstrating the dual-facing nature of the Norse diaspora. (2)