Osprey Trade Editions : The Vikings

From the point at which they exploded into British history in the late-8th century, with the sacking of the church at Lindisfarne, the Vikings were to play a major role in the history of practically every nation from Ireland to Russia. The number of languages that have a word for the Vikings is testament to the adventurous spirit of these raiders from the sea; in Spain they were 'al-Madjus' ('heathen wizards') and in Byzantium 'Varangoi'. In addition to raiding everywhere from Norway to North Africa, they established the dukedom of Normandy, provided the Byzantine Emperors' bodyguard and landed on the shores of America 500 years before Columbus. Text by Ian Heath with illustrations by Angus McBride.