Régis Boyer (1932–2017)

Régis Boyer was one of France's best-known experts on the Vikings, the sagas, and alike. He's written many works on the subject, though I've only read his magnum opus, 'Les Vikings'. This was originally published in 1994 and several times reissued, though I don't know it was revised or not, considering new discoveries and studies over the past few decades.

'Les Vikings' is, in any case, not the layman, you're advised to already have some basic knowledge about the Vikings. Even though Mr show more Boyer does offer quite a complete overview of the few centuries these people put their stamp on the world. While most books on the Vikings start with or close to the historic attack on Lindisfarne in 793 AD, Mr Boyer goes farther back in time, as a run-up, to try to display what happened prior to the rise of the Vikings, prior to what would become the Viking Age. That's already what makes this book stand out from most others, as far as I know, of course.

And from there, he takes the reader on quite a long, but interesting and eye-opening journey of the evolution of said Age, and how everything evolved from there. The various phases, the causes and first manifestations, the reasons for the Danish, Swedish and Norwegians to seek new lands (money, trade, farming, ...), and how they also colonised various territories. And let's not forget the sagas either, something Mr Boyer also invested a lot of time and effort in during his career.

A big part of the book is thus about economic and political causes and impacts, with the obligatory explanation of the structure with thralls, karls (or bændr) and jarls, bondi, the (Al)Thing, and more. The second "half" deals with civilisation, how they lived, what they believed (and how Christianity came into the picture) and more (e.g. art, poetry, ...). In other words, the structure of their society, the domestic culture, public life, slavery, and ultimately, the end of the Viking Age. On a side-note, according to Mr Boyer, the Vikings' influence and behaviour was important - he does not deny that at all -, but apparently not as determinative as often believed or proclaimed. He wrote that European civilisation was already progressing towards something else, regardless of the Vikings' invasions, attacks, colonisations, trade, ...

Mr Boyer had a way with words, as an academic. Of course it's not written in easy French, but he did manage to convey his interest and passion in a clear way, also regarding the language these people spoke, and how it influenced English and other Germanic languages.

While some readers wrote there aren't any or not enough illustrations or maps, I partly agree. There are a few maps at the end, there's an extensive index, but notes are on the respective pages, which is excellent! When notes are put at the end, in its own segment, I tend to not even consult them, because it really breaks the reading rhythm, creates the impression that notes aren't really that important anyway. But sometimes (or mostly) they are, therefore I prefer seeing them on their respective pages. But again, yes, a wee bit more illustrations, especially when tackling the Vikings' lifestyle, habits, and so on, would have been helpful.

While I've read a good handful of books on the Viking Age so far, I've still got enough to read and explore. Mr Boyer's work did revive my interest, as did Bernard Cornwell's fantastic series 'The Saxon Stories' (or 'The Last Kingdom', the first volume and also title of the TV-series, which I haven't seen). From fiction to non-fiction and back. 'Les Vikings: Histoire et Civilisation' is nothing less but heavily recommended. show less

An interesting set of essays, particularly Jenny Jochens on the differences between the role of women in Viking vs. Europe at that time.
Shira Destinie
MEOW Date Saturday, June 23. 12014 H.E. (Holocene Era)

An interesting set of essays, particularly Jenny Jochens on the differences between the role of women in Viking vs. Europe at that time.
Shira Destinie
MEOW Date Saturday, June 23. 12014 H.E. (Holocene Era)

An interesting set of essays, particularly Jenny Jochens on the differences between the role of women in Viking vs. Europe at that time.
Shira Destinie
MEOW Date Saturday, June 23. 12014 H.E. (Holocene Era)