This title charts the development of the Viking longship, tracing its evolution from the one-man canoe of the Scandinavian Stone Age, through the 'clinker' or wood -built-ships of 200 BC into the recognisable longboats of the 4th century AD. From this point onwards, the Viking Longship developed into the pre-eminent raider and trader in the North Sea and the Baltic, and ventured as far afield as the Mediterranean, the North Atlantic and modern-day Russia. Keith Durham uses modern reconstructions, original sources, translations and archaeological evidence to render a vivid picture of the vessels that dominated the seaways of Scandinavia, founded colonies on Iceland, Greenland and the New World and terrorised the coastlines of northern Europe. This title also covers the development of Norman vessels, including the mighty invasion fleet of William the Conqueror.

Author Biography

Keith Durham is the author of Men-at-Arms 279: 'The Border Reivers'. He is also a skilled and respected figure sculptor who has produced models for a number of companies including Border Miniatures. Jeffrey Bum is a distinguished artist who has worked on several Osprey publications over the years, including Men-at-Arms 230 'The US Army 1890-1920' and Men-at-Arms 34: 'The Waffen-SS'. He is also a keen re-enactor, and lives in the Scottish Borders.