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Markus's avatar

an interesting article, and I'd like to know your estimate for germany.

but I just have to say it: it's RITE of passage, not right...

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C.J. Adrien's avatar

Arghh, Grammarly! I did not see that it had changed both of those instances to the wrong one. Thank you for catching that, changes have been made.

Estimate for Germany--I will have to give that some thought. It's a complex question because of the closeness of the Saxons to the Danes at the time. For example, the leader of the Saxon rebellion against Charlemagne that ended at the massacre of Verdun, a man named Widukind, was the brother-in-law to the king of Jutland at the time. So we know the relationship between the two areas even before the Viking Age was close. However, as far as Vikings are concerned, there was very little roving activity that we know of within what is now modern Germany and even Poland.

Check out this podcast Terri and I did on Poland, and I think it's relevant to the Germany questions because the Viking activity in those regions was similar: https://vikingology.substack.com/p/slavic-vikings

The key takeaway from that podcast was when I asked Dr. Gardela how the Vikings changed Poland, and he replied dryly, "They didn't."

I hope this answer was helpful. I will keep this question in mind and update the article with a Germany section once I've done a little digging and evaluating.

Thank for reading!

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Russell Yoakum's avatar

I am related to all of the Royalty of Europe from both parents families. I find it very interesting that I am still related to Royalty of Europe

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Russell Yoakum's avatar

I am related to William the Conquer and also Rollo from my dad's side of the family. My mom's side of the family were the 1st Baron of Normandy. I am related to William the Duke of Cambridge from both sides of my parents families. I find that very interesting. And Dia Princess of Wales is my direct descendant 10th cousin from my dad's side of the family. I find that very interesting also. So yes old Royalty from Europe are still alive for descendant of the 10th century and back..

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Vivian Birgit Reid's avatar

I have been able to trace my ancestry on my Father's side (English, French, Scottish ) to Robert "Rollo" Ragnvaldsson who was the Viking King of Normandy (870-932) and is buried at Notre Dame. My Mother was born in Denmark in 1924, and met my Father during WWII and traveled to America after the war. I have not been able to find as much information on my Mother's side as the Danish information is not as thorough on the two websites I have used. Any suggestions? Thanks Vivian

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Mark Owenby's avatar

Yes I have viking Blood. Documented from England. And a Norse viking village of my ancestors still remains to this day.

Ownby by Spital.

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Falke's avatar

Very interesting Article, easy to read and understand. I'm also interested in Germany and want to point out that in a kind of post scriptum it could be worth to mention that any conquests which happened AFTER the viking age - espiecially ba the british or even dutch - spread viking genes all over the world.

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Marianne Nichols's avatar

Loved reading this! Thank you for sharing this information, C.J.! ☀️

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