Post by are11 on Dec 1, 2010 10:35:16 GMT -5
Hello fellow HTTYD fans! I would like to have some conversation about the real vikings, or at least break some stereotypes and mis beliefs about vikings. (Yes, I am that horrible) 
First of all, vikings did not have any kind of horns in their helmets, expect in special events, such as ceremonies. The belief of vikings having horns in their helmets originates from 19th century romanticism.
Second belief is the belief of dirty and never bathing vikings. Actually vikings cared more about their hygiene than most of the other people of that time. They, for example, bathed every Saturday, and the Swedish word "lördag" comes from the ancient German word "Laugr", that means "Bath".
Combs and other hygiene stuff have also been found in excavations.
And on third, they had no skull cups.
But stories don't care about realism, and realism is overvalued anyway. Stories with dragons are much more exciting.
I just want people to know what is myth and what is not.
But they really did know how to fight, and kept the nearby countries in fear for centuries.
First of all, vikings did not have any kind of horns in their helmets, expect in special events, such as ceremonies. The belief of vikings having horns in their helmets originates from 19th century romanticism.
Second belief is the belief of dirty and never bathing vikings. Actually vikings cared more about their hygiene than most of the other people of that time. They, for example, bathed every Saturday, and the Swedish word "lördag" comes from the ancient German word "Laugr", that means "Bath".
Combs and other hygiene stuff have also been found in excavations.
And on third, they had no skull cups.
But stories don't care about realism, and realism is overvalued anyway. Stories with dragons are much more exciting.
I just want people to know what is myth and what is not.But they really did know how to fight, and kept the nearby countries in fear for centuries.