How did Viking Chieftains Wield Power?

We had so much fun and covered so much interesting ground in our talk with Davide Zori of Baylor University that we made two episodes from it!

Our first episode on the grave of Egil Skallagrimsson is available here on our Substack. Check it out. We have both video and audio versions available.

In this episode, Davide dove into chieftain-level power structures in the Viking Age, particularly in Iceland where Scandinavians emigrated in the late-9th century and had to reinvent themselves without the influence of a king. This meant local “big men” jockeyed for power and status in a delicate dance of reciprocity with the other free farmers in their districts.

Davide tells us how providing opportunity to benefit from feasting, raiding, and fighting was crucial to how chieftains expressed their status and authority. Who knew beef, beer, and boats were such a powerful equation for staying in power?

Fascinating stuff.

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