The term ‘Viking’ is often associated with violence and destruction due to their raids across Europe. A question often asked is: did the Vikings really hate Christianity? The answer may surprise you as it turns out Vikings had complex views of the Christian religion. Christians themselves may have actually encouraged Viking raids in the early medieval period.
One of the earliest documented raids of Viking’s on Christian territory was in the year 793 when Lindisfarne Monastery in Northumbria was attacked. The impact of this event shocked many people across Europe as Christianity had been developing for several centuries and was embedded in much of society. Some historians believe that as a result of this attack, Christianity was hindered as it marked the start of Viking raids on many other religious sites across Europe.
Despite being largely responsible for the destruction of early churches and monasteries, there is evidence to suggest that not all Vikings rejected Christianity. Several Viking settlements formed alliances with existing Christian Empires and took part in conversion movements. This is not to say they were all willing converts, but it provides evidence that the actions of some Vikings ran contrary to popular beliefs.
An example of a Viking who embraced Christianity and became a Christian missionary was Ansgar, who was given the title ‘Apostle to the North’ by the Pope in 831. Ansgar was known for his work in converting and baptising a number of Scandinavians, leading to the emergence of a Christian community in Sweden. Other Viking missionaries followed in his footsteps, providing evidence of a Viking-Christian connection.
While it is clear that some Vikings embraced Christianity, the majority of them remained unconvinced. Vikings often thought it was beneath their status to become Christian, as it was believed only those of low social rank were considered fit to convert. This view was partly due to the Viking belief that Christianity did not reflect their own values and way of life.
A prime example of Viking sentiment towards Christianity is seen in why Ragnar Lothbrok, a semi-mythical figure in early medieval Scandinavia, rejected Christianity despite his extreme wealth. According to the stories of Ragnar, he boasted about his refusal to follow the Christian god, suggesting that Vikings such as him simply did not want to be associated with Christianity.
In conclusion, the answer to the question of whether Vikings hated Christianity is complex. While they were undoubtedly responsible for damaging Christian monuments and killing innocent people, some Vikings embraced Christianity and many more adopted a more neutral stance, seeing it as neither good nor bad. Ultimately, it was the individual Viking’s own personal beliefs that shaped their views of Christianity, and this is why the answer to this question is difficult to answer definitively.
Vikings and Paganism
Before the advent of Christianity in Scandinavia, the Vikings were deeply attached to their own religious and spiritual beliefs. They predominantly practiced various forms of Germanic paganism, which was a polytheistic religion with numerous gods and goddesses.
One of the most popular gods in Viking mythology was Odin, who was considered to be the ‘father of all gods’ and the ruler of Asgard, the hall of the gods. Alongside Odin, other gods included Thor, who was associated with thunder and lightning, and Freyr, the Scandinavian god of fertility and prosperity.
Vikings also had spiritual beliefs that transcended traditional gods and goddesses. For example, some revered ancestors and believed in the idea of ‘wyrd’, which was the concept of fate and destiny.
These beliefs and traditions had a profound influence on Viking culture, and were deeply rooted in their daily lives and spiritual practices. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that when Christianity eventually arrived in their lands, it was often seen as a threat to the old ways and customs they were used to.
Many Vikings did not take kindly to the imposition of this ‘new religion’ and saw it as a threat to the gods they had grown up worshipping. This is why even when Christian missionaries arrived in their communities, they were often rejected and met with hostility.
Christianity and Viking Expansion
The early medieval period saw the expansion of Viking territories, both in the west and east of Europe. Some historians have argued that this expansion was aided, in part, by Christianity. In particular, the Christian religion provided Vikings with the motivation and justification to embark on raids and conquests.
This argument can be supported by the fact that Christian countries, such as England and France, were often the main target of Viking raids. Furthermore, when travelling to more distant lands, such as Constantinople, Vikings could rely on the Christian settlements they had already established in the region.
The Christian Church also provided the Vikings with access to plenty of wealth and resources, which they were eager to take advantage of. This is why so many early raids were concentrated on religious sites, as they were known to be wealthy and largely undefended.
Taken together, this evidence suggests that Christian territories, settlements and resources were of great interest to the Vikings, and were likely a major factor in their expansion and conquests of the early medieval period.
Viking Heritage and Christianity
Despite the initial hostility to Christianity, the Viking heritage was gradually accepted by the Christian religion. Over time, churches built in Viking-settled countries began to incorporate Christian art and architecture that was inspired by Viking culture and mythology.
For example, the decoration inside and outside of Lincoln Cathedral includes carvings of Thor, Odin and Loki alongside Christian figures like the Virgin Mary, Jesus and the Saints.
This growing acceptance of Viking heritage, particularly within churches, suggests that the early Christian missionaries may have taken advantage of the existing Norse-mythology, adapting it to fit in with Christian ideology. This allowed them to gradually convert many Viking pagans, who were more likely to accept the new religion if it incorporated some of the old beliefs.
Such evidence serves to emphasize that Christianity was not always seen as an antagonist to Viking culture. Often, it provided both a practical and spiritual solution to their way of life, which started to become integrated into the culture itself.
Christian Burials and Viking Influence
One of the primary ways in which Vikings and Christianity interacted was in death. During the early medieval period, it was common for Christians to be buried in wooden coffins, an aspect of the Christian funeral that was adopted from the Vikings.
Vikings, who believed in an afterlife, traditionally buried their dead in ships, and it is likely that this practice was adopted by the early Christians who chose to bury their dead in wooden coffins that were shaped like ships.
The Viking influence is also visible in the style of Christian tombstones, which often include Viking figures and are decorated with Viking symbols. This suggests that Viking culture was being accepted and even celebrated by the Christian Church in the early middle Ages.
Vikings and the Christian Missions
One of the main reasons for the tension between Vikings and Christianity was the lack of understanding between the two beliefs. This was, in part, due to the Christian missionaries who were sent to Scandinavia in order to spread their religion and convert Viking pagans.
Unfortunately, these missionaries were often unsuccessful due to the fact that they did not have the necessary knowledge of Viking culture and beliefs. Many of their attempts to convert the pagans were viewed with suspicion and, at times, hostility.
This lack of understanding is evident in the writings of the Christian missionary, Alcuin of York who, in his memoirs, stated that ‘it is a miracle that any pagans can be converted to the Christian faith’. Such comments demonstrate how little the Christian missionaries knew or understood about Viking culture, which further complicated their attempts to convert.
Viking Conversion to Christianity
Despite the early difficulties, there were some instances in which Vikings converted to Christianity. For some, conversion was a political decision made in order to gain wealth, land or establish a political alliance.
Other conversions were more sincere, as some converted to Christianity in response to experiences or situations that made them question their own beliefs. These situations ranged from natural disasters to personal tragedies, which led them to reassess their faith and eventually embrace Christianity.
Historical sources from the time even mention some conversions occurring as a result of miracles attributed to Christian Saints and figures. One such example is that of Olaf I of Norway, who was said to have been miraculously healed of paralysis after praying to a Christian saint.
These cases demonstrate that there were instances of Vikings converting to Christianity and embracing the new religion. It is likely, however, that they did so with an understanding and appreciation of the old beliefs and traditions they had grown up with.
