In the Viking Age, monsters and other dreadful entities roamed the world of humans. These were not ethereal spirits wearing white bedsheets but horrific physical entities that destroyed those that crossed their path in a most gruesome way. Vikings and Icelanders well into the modern era prepared themselves for a fight against these monsters with special armor and their empty-hand combat system called Glíma.

Now that Halloween season is upon us, the veil between this world and the next world grows thin. Accordingly, it seems a good time to discuss these dangerous beings and how Vikings defended themselves against them.

Join us on October 31st for an exciting and enlightening presentation by William R. Short and Reynir A. Óskarson on the monsters of the Viking age.

Free with registration

Presenters William and Reynir are the principals of Hurstwic, a New England-based organization that uses the scientific approach to research Vikings with a focus on Viking combat. Their book on Viking Combat, Men of Terror, has been the subject of several previous lectures here at the Scandinavian Center. Their next book, Violence in the Viking Age, is a follow-up to Men of Terror and is due to be released in November this year. The third book in their Viking combat trilogy is expected late in 2027 and covers the topic of Glíma: the empty-hand combat of the Vikings and the national sport of Iceland today.