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Preface The allure of the Vikings never ends. They have been a source of immense fascination for centuries. Historians, archaeologists, and literary histori- ans have devoted innumerable books and articles to narratives, discus- sions, and examinations of their endeavors. Some scholars have focused on the more negative side of the activities of the Vikings, which is, of course, the raids and—by extension—the harm these northern pirates caused many innocent civilians in the British Isles, Germany, the Netherlands, France, and elsewhere. Other scholars have concentrated on the more positive aspects of the activities of the Vikings. Among other things, they have emphasized the Vikings’ exceptional seafaring skills, which enabled them to crisscross half of the world—known and unknown at the time—in their longships their expertise in engineering, which resulted in such masterpieces as the geometrically planned Danish fortresses and the rampart Danevirke (Defense of the Danes) and their sensitive noses for political weaknesses in countries outside of Scandinavia, which told them when it would be opportune for them to strike. Given the fascination with the Vikings and the inordinate attention they have received not only by scholars but also amateur enthusiasts, it is not surprising that over the centuries, some unfortunate misconceptions about the Vikings have arisen. Despite efforts by scholars to make correc- tions and set things straight, some of these misconceptions continue to be perpetuated, especially in popular culture, such as movies and computer games—presumably because they help what makes a good story about the Vikings an even better story.