LORDS OF THE SALT ROAD: The Norse Earls of Orkney and the Viking World

1-254040

Reveals the dramatic history of the Norse earls of Orkney, who owed their allegiance to the Kings of Norway and ruled their own semi-autonomous empire with lands in mainland Scotland and the Western Isles. At their military height in the 11th century, they held a 400-mile swathe of territory, stretching from Shetland down to the Clyde Estuary. Describes how these Norse earls and their followers led Viking raids around the British Isles and even further afield. For over four centuries, their warriors and longships battled alongside Scandinavian kings and Norse rebels; and as Norse kingmakers, these warlike earls sometimes paid the ultimate price for dabbling in international affairs. They were the key players in Viking Britain. Contains 8-page plate section in color.