Hobbies And Interests
King Canute
Written evidence is scant because records from the time when the Vikings lived (the Dark Ages) are scarce. One famous Viking who actually made the history books, however, is King Canute the Great. The monarch ruled over England, Denmark, Norway and some provinces of Sweden for 20 years. The period was long enough to consolidate political unity in the region, which would later prove to have a lasting influence on Europe.
Place Names
Even without written records, physical evidence of Vikings cannot be erased. Much evidence can even be gained from the names of towns where the Vikings originally settled. In the United Kingdom alone, there are scores of Viking place names, especially in areas that used to be part of the Danelaw. These locations use Scandinavian suffixes such as -ness, -thorpe and -by. In northern France, the area where Norsemen established communities is now known as Normandy.
Language
The best evidence for the versatility of any civilization exists in physical evidence. Viking activity appears carved on cenotaphs and coins from the period. Runes were the northerners' written language during the time of the Viking dominance. A tomb in a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Orkney, Scotland, is well known for its large collection of Viking graffiti featuring the language.
Myths
Much of what is commonly believed of Vikings and their place in history is perpetrated by pop culture --- fictional works of art that often result in flawed characterizations. Some records of Viking atrocities come from the Vikings' enemies' points of view. Others are Icelandic sagas, which sometimes dive into mythology. This is one reason the Viking civilizations, although much later, are much less understood than Roman or Greek civilizations that are much older.