The history of the Vikings is bloody and eventful, and Viking warriors capture the popular imagination to this day. They made history, establishing the dukedom of Normandy, providing the Byzantine Emperors' bodyguard and landing on the shores of America 500 years before Columbus. Beautifully illustrated with colour photographs and original Osprey artwork, this book presents a new window into their way of life including detailed studies of the Hersir, the raiding warrior of the Viking world, and the legendary Viking longship.

In the year 1296, Edward I of England launched a series of vicious raids across the Anglo-Scottish Border in his attempt to annexe Scotland. The Scots retaliated and the two countries were plunged into 300 years of war in which the Borderland became the frontline and raiding, or "reiving," encouraged by both sides, became a way of life. Keith Durham examines the Border fortresses, ranging from small, well-defended castles to imposing tower houses, or "peles," and a variety of fortified farmhouses known as "bastles." He also investigates the many churches that were strengthened against attack and in times of trouble served as sanctuaries for their congregations.

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.