Nation and heroes: Denmark and the invention of the Vikings

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Abstract

The aim of this monograph is to investigate the construction process of modern representations of the Vikings, and in particular, the historical idealizations and inventions of Danish scholars – from antiquarians to archaeologists, writers to historians, and intellectuals to artists. The period of investigation encompasses from 1755 to 1891, covering primary European, North American, and Brazilian sources. The adopted methodological and conceptual framework is the reception theory as applied by Scandinavian scholar Margaret Clunies Ross. A theoretical conceptualization that supports reception is the perspective of the uses of Nordic history. Our main author for this framework is the Danish historian Niels Kayser Nielsen, reflecting on how Nordic history was used to promote political ideologies, entertainment interests, and nationalist identities.

Cover image: De Danskes Landgang paa England, fresco, Lorenz Frølich, Frederiksborg Castle, Hillerød, Denmark, 1883-1886.

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Author Biography

Johnni Langer, Federal University of Paraiba, Brazil

Professor associado II da UFPB. Doutor, Mestre e Bacharel em História pela UFPR.

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Published

2026-03-07

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Section

Scandia Monograph Series