J Michael Hall on Viking history
Interviewing history enthusiasts | April 2025
Viking
It’s one of the most enigmatic words associated with medieval history.
Thanks to their savage attacks on England’s eastern coastline during the eighth century A.D., coupled with their fierce advance south towards Alfred the Great’s stronghold in the kingdom of the West Saxons a hundred years later, ‘the Vikings’ have become embedded within our mythology of early medieval England.
787 | ‘Here Beorhtric took King Offa’s daughter Eadburh. And in his days came first 3 ships of Northmen from Hordaland [western Norway]: and then the reeve rode there and wanted to compel them to go to the king’s town because he did not know what they were; and then they killed him. These were the first ships of the Danish men which sought out the land of the English race.’1
And the rest, as the editor of this entry knew, is history.
A few Viking history enthusiasts have joined Substack in recent months and I am delighted to share an interview today with one who was gracious enough to answer our questions.
’s newsletter, , exploded early in 2025 following a Note about the term ‘Anglo-Saxon’ that went viral. He has since cultivated a devoted following who enjoy reading his regular essays about topics such as fashion and hygiene, feasting culture, and kingdom connectivity.
This is the first in a new series of interviews with medieval history enthusiasts on Substack, published monthly exclusively for paid members. For this first edition, I am offering a free 7-day trial for all who upgrade through the link below (and a month’s comp for all who contributed with questions and aren’t yet members) - and it’s long and full of juicy details, so make sure you have a big cup of coffee or tea (or whatever else floats your boat) to hand as you dive in!
What questions did we cover?
What drew you to Substack, and what’s been your experience so far?
Has Viking history always been a passion, or are there other times and/or places that you enjoy learning about?
What’s your favourite stereotype to overturn / a story that counters the typical narratives?
Was Rollo (aka Robert I) different or do you think it was just that the circumstances were different? (question by
, with additional interest in Rollo from )Could you tell us more about one or two interesting events during the conversion to Christianity? (question by
)What are your thoughts on the film The Northman? (question by The Spiked Quill)
What are your thoughts on Vinland and the Americas discovery as it has been absorbed in the popular imagination? (question by
)How did you (if it was intentional) grow your Substack so quickly? (question by
)
 | A guest post by
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