The European coastal areas and the lands around the rivers had great importance for the local populations but also for the Vikings, who settled in military strategic places and defended themselves -- often against other intruding Vikings. Rollo, the son of a Scandinavian noble, was first married to a Frankish princess and then given Normandy as a fief in 911 to keep the Vikings out of the Frankish Empire. This turned out a success and eventually the raids ceased. Far later exquisite silver and ivory objects were gifted to churches and cathedrals - probably as gifts from Scandinavian royalty. Presented here is a collection of articles focusing on the Vikings and their presence on the West European continent. The articles are re-written from talks originally given at a conference at the University of Copenhagen. They are all written by international archaeological scientists.