The Geography and People of Medieval Scandinavia

As one might guess, Scandinavia is a cold place. It is no wonder why Hel is a cold place, and Niflhel even colder. Stretching upwards along the Scandinavian peninsula is The Keel, a vast mountain range between Norway and Sweden that stretches into Finland. The famous fjords were formed by ancient glaciers. The coast, particularly Norway’s west coast, was known as the “Northern Way”. It is an island protected sea route that kept more calm due to the natural island barriers. It would be most common for travel to be done via ship, but mainly only in the warmer months when the ice was not an issue. Otherwise, during the winter, it was far easier to travel by foot. 

The coastal regions were the most temperate and settlement really only occurred in these regions, or with some form of access to the sea. For this reason, as well as being the most southern of regions in Scandinavia, Denmark rose to dominance early on. It is also likely that they made contact with the other Germanic tribes to the south before their northern neighbors did, providing them another advantage.

As a result of this “cold culture”, it was very dishonorable to refuse shelter to travelers. It is no wonder that Odin often disguises himself as a traveler and that refusing him would bring his wrath upon the one who denied him (The Saga of Hrolf Kraki). It is a tough place to live, without a doubt. Even more difficult in those times. So, who were the tough people who braved this land?

The People of Early Medieval Scandinavia

The three kingdoms that make up Scandinavia today did not exist in the Viking Age, but rather formed towards the end of the period. The region was politically and socially fragmented at this time and ethnic references are very broad and generally confusing. The primary tribes were: 

1. Norwegians (Northmen)
2. Danes
3. Svear (Swedes) & Götar (Geats)

 Though, they would not have seen themselves so unified. When reading about the Viking Age, it is very common to talk about regions with these identities in mind, but this is mostly for historical convenience. The best way to demonstrate the complications of tribal factions and identifications is to provide a listing from Jordanes’ Getica:

1. Adogit – Getica III (19,20)
2. Tstthi – Getica III (21)
3. Suehans – Getica III (21)
4. Theustes – Getica III (22)
5. Vagoth – Getica III (22)
6. Berigo – Getica III (22)
7. Hallin – Getica III (22)
8. Liothida – Getica III (22)
9. Ahelmil – Getica III (22)
10. Finnaithae – Getica III (22)
11. Fervir – Getica III (22)
12. Gauthigoth – Getica III (22)
13. Mixi – Getica III (22)
14. Evagre – Getica III (22)
15. Othingis – Getica III (22)
16. Ostrogoths – Getica III (23)
17. Raumarici – Getica III (23)
18. Aeragnaricii – Getica III (23)
19. Finns – Getica III (23)
20. Vinovilith – Getica III (23)
21. Suetidi – Getica III (23)
22. Dani – Getica III (23)
23. Heruli – Getica III (23)
24. Granii – Getica III (24)
25. Augandzi – Getica III (24)
26. Eunixi – Getica III (24)
27. Taetel – Getica III (24)
28. Rugi – Getica III (24)
29. Arochi – Getica III (24)
30. Ranii – Getica III (24)

And even this list is likely only a portion of these fractured identities. Descriptions of such tribes only come from outside sources, starting with Julius Caesar in the first century BCE. That is actually pretty late. The important thing to get from all of this, is that Scandinavia was by no means a unified place. The three kingdoms were a product of the Viking Age, but not a component of the age itself.

During the Age of Migrations (400-600 CE), many of these tribes moved southward or ventured across the North Sea to England. The following tribes went to England:

1. Angles
2. Jutes
3. Saxons

Each of them retained their Scandinavian consciousness, as can be seen in the well known heroic epic Beowulf (ca. 700-1000 CE). Although Christianized, there is evidence of their pagan, Scandinavian past in archaeological remains as well, such as the Sutton Hoo burial (ca. 500-600 CE). This burial contained many items of wealth, referring to the tradition of grave goods transferring to the afterlife with the person. The most famous of items from this burial is the Sutton Hoo helmet, which displays anamorphic artwork on the front of a dragon or bird.

As for some other notable tribes, they migrated as follows:

1. Franks to Gaul (Establish Frankish Kingdom, France)
2. Frisians to the Rhine (Northwest Rhine, Netherlands)
3. Goths to Italy (The famous Odoacer and the Visigoths)

Some other native literature reveals the connection that Scandinavia has to other Germanic people, if linguistics does not satisfy enough. The Volsunga saga, of the great hero Sigurd, has the same roots as the Nibelungenlied, of the great hero Siegfried.

If you have any questions about this lesson, feel free to ask! I would be more than happy to give an answer or simply discuss the material.

Next lesson will cover the origins of the Viking Age as well as what marks the end of it. It will include the possible reasons for why these people of the north took Europe suddenly by storm between 793 and 1066 CE.

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Sources

Dukes-Knight, Jennifer. “People, Periods, and Places.” Lecture, Viking History, University of South Florida, Tampa. Spring 2015.

Mierow, Charles C. “Jordanes: The Origin and Deeds of the Goths.” Getica Online. Department of Greek, Latin and Ancient History, University of Calgary. <Link>