Viking Age Madness - What Made Them Go Berserk?

Viking Age Madness - What Made Them Go Berserk? | History Documentary

Рет қаралды 11,765

Күн бұрын

In this video I’m going to be exploring the dark and mysterious internal psychological world of the Vikings: what they thought, what they felt, what they loved and what they feared.
Expect to find out about some of the larger than life characters in the rich Viking Saga literature and how they could be sensitive and broken hearted as well as fearsomely brutal.
I will also reveal Viking beliefs about shapeshifting werewolves and man-bears and murderous revenants or walking undead.
I really hope you enjoy the video and if you do - any likes, comments or subscriptions would be truly appreciated.
If you have any suggestions for further videos or any questions at all, please let me know below in the comments!
Mental Illness in the Viking Age - What Made Them go Beserk?
#vikings #vikingdocumentary #vikingage
Professor Graeme Yorston
Video produced by Professor Graeme Yorston and Tom Yorston.
Copyright Disclaimer:
The primary purpose of this video is educational. I have tried to use material in the public domain or with Creative Commons Non-attribution licences wherever possible. Where attribution is required I have listed this below. I believe that any copyright material used falls under the remit of Fair Use, but if any content owners would like to dispute this, I will not hesitate to immediately remove that content. It is not my intention to infringe on content ownership in any way. If you happen to find your art or images in the video, please let me know and I will be glad to credit you.

Пікірлер: 109

@helenalundqvist 2 жыл бұрын

From Sweden. 71 years old. The bersekers, that's how I believe you say it, probably were lightly clothed. In Swedish we say "bärsärk". "Bär" means wears and "särk" means undergarments.(sorry for my bad english). "Bär" pronounces like bear. For "särk" I don't seem to come up with a suitable word in english, to compare with. Sorry about that. The word was often used in my childhood home, by my mother. As you can probably guess , when me and my two brothers were fighting. 🙂 Thank you for a good video.

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Helen, we have sark in the Scottish dialect of Robert Burns, but I've never heard it used in modern speech.

@francisdec1615 Жыл бұрын

"Bär" in this case actually MEANS "bear" and not "wears". The idea is that the person has the appearance of an angry bear. In modern Swedish it's "björn" and in Old Norse "bjǫrn", but in Proto-Germanic it's believed to have been "berô". It's still "Bär" in modern German. In Old English "beorn" actually meant "warrior", maybe somehow related to these Vikings, although scholars are doubtful about it.

@susanmenegus5543 Жыл бұрын

🇸🇪.

@mariannerosenstrom627 Жыл бұрын

It is so easy than "han bär särk", bears have something made of bearskin. The under-garment is still called särk.

@francisdec1615 11 ай бұрын

@@Moleena Oh, I'm a Swede living in Sweden AND I have studied Germanistics at the university, but I'm sure you are right🙄

@catherinejohnson2235 2 жыл бұрын

Perfection. Best, most comprehensive, and interesting video I have seen in YEARS. WOW. Even the faux Vikings are great!

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Catherine - didn't have the budget for real Vikings!

@AnnaKaunitz 2 жыл бұрын

You should really visit the The Swedish History Museum in Stockholm. They have the largest Viking exhibition in the world, it’s permanent, free entry. Over 2500 original objects. Then there’s The Viking Museum which is very popular as well. For the geeks, a visit to Birka is probably a must in the summer. There’s many runestones in Stockholm, in fact one is located in the famous old town, Gamla stan, corner of Kåkbrinken-Prästgatan. No one knows why but it’s held up by a canon lol Sigtuna, founded in 980, is the first Swedish town given city rights, it was the most important Viking city. Evidence has shown it was extremely cosmopolitan and over half of its population came from other countries. Gotland is of course worth a visit.

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Anna, I visited Stockholm when I was 18, but I think Sigurd Jorsalfare was still king, Sweden was on the to do list before Covid struck, so hopefully one day soon.

@lilykatmoon4508 Жыл бұрын

I’m a practicing Heathen, and I found this very interesting! Thanks for sharing your expertise. Skål!

@professorgraemeyorston Жыл бұрын

Thank you.

@BarryHart-xo1oy Жыл бұрын

I’m surprised you identify as a Heathen,as that term(as l understand it)is a derogatory word for pagans.

@mariannerosenstrom627 Жыл бұрын

The Vikings, my roots. In my family we still make Viking mead , one needs water, honey and a little moldy blueberries. Vikings also ate a mushroom called fly agaric , not deadly but gives a feeling of bravery, eternal strenght. Have tried. We also have annnual competitions of axe-throwing, double axes; won once. We have a Viking grave on our summer island.

@professorgraemeyorston Жыл бұрын

Glad to hear the old traditions are still alive.

@Vorname_Nachnahme 11 ай бұрын

@@professorgraemeyorston And, refering to the mushrooms, that the people keeping the traditions alive, are still alive ... Oo

@oh2887 2 жыл бұрын

The Boneless viking, I am speculating that he could have had Dupuytrens Contracture which is also known as viking disease. This is where the bones of the hand are flexed out. The connective tissue is not normal. The snake theory sounds good though. Anyhow, glad your channel came into my youtube feed, as a result of me looking up mental health and Irish Asylums through history. Have suscribed, thank you!

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting idea, Dupuytrens can also affect the feet when it is called Ledderhose disease.

@denni7173 Жыл бұрын

@Professor Graeme Yorston Sorry, I know that I am late to this comment, but.... Isn't Dupuytran's limited to the hand and Ledderhose to the feet? It always assumed that Ivar's condition was to his legs or genitals. Nonetheless, I've always believed it to be more the snake theory as Vikings and Nordics in general during the Middle Ages always assigned a descriptor to their names. From Jarls and Kings to the common poors, everyone had a moniker. Kind of handy when the choices of names were slim😂

@bwoo6223 Жыл бұрын

What a breath of fresh air, clear good pace speaking, and fascinating content.

@professorgraemeyorston Жыл бұрын

Thank you.

@chrish2277 2 жыл бұрын

It would be interesting if Henbane (perhaps if imbibed with alcohol) when ingested made one hot or flushed, that could account for fighting bare skinned.

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting idea, both hyoscyamine and alcohol can cause skin flushing so you might be right.

@jamesyorston2385 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. The Viking footage works really well.

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@oderamunonyedi2999 2 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed every second watching this video, which was captivating and educating and cannot wait to watch the next video!

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it Odera, the next one will be finished soon.

@farhanaomer7947 2 жыл бұрын

This is very interesting video, I didn’t loose interest and beginning to develop my interest in history of psychiatry.

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Farha, I'm glad it has sparked an interest. I think understanding the history of psychiatry makes us better psychiatrists

@kristincrisford1480 2 жыл бұрын

I so enjoyed this! I can't wait to hear more!!

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kristin, there are more on the way!

@ashleyzimmerman2733 2 жыл бұрын

I very.much enjoy your videos. More please...lol

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ashley, there are more in the pipeline!

@SunburnCity 2 жыл бұрын

This is a excellent video, thank you for sharing your knowledge

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@SunburnCity 2 жыл бұрын

@@professorgraemeyorston I was looking for information about old norse and Scandinavian festivals and traditional holidays then landed on your vid. I just couldn't stop watching it.

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

@@SunburnCity Thank you - the Viking Age was certainly a lot more complex and culturally sophisticated than many people realise, and as I'm sure you know, Christmas was established on the North European festival of Yule.

@muffassa6739 2 жыл бұрын

I was so happy to see this video, I hope they make some more

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mufassa, I'm making them as fast as I can!

@tomyorston6037 2 жыл бұрын

Another incredibly interesting video prof!

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Thomas

@tanjaknoth5382 2 жыл бұрын

Very interesting channel. You have a new subscriber now

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

Welcome aboard!

@lilykatmoon4508 Жыл бұрын

To be fair, the Viking raids on the monasteries were a direct response to Charlemagne’s reign of terror against the Pagans of Germania. He slaughtered thousands who wouldn’t convert to Christianity. Then, when the Germanic pagans still refused to surrender, he burnt down all their sacred groves. I’m not condoning slaughter, but in those times, that was considered a reasonable response from the Viking perspective. The Christians slaughtered way more pagans who refused to convert than were killed in raids.

@professorgraemeyorston Жыл бұрын

Thank you for that, I didn't know about Charlemagne's raids.

@TorianTammas Жыл бұрын

@lilikatmoon4508 - Theft and plunder is done for personal gain and it was not based on the religion of the victim. They wanted to have a better life so they robbed what others had. They did not only rob monasteries but everyone they could reach so they stole from everyone who had something and they could carry it. We should stop to see the acts of thieves as heroic.

@BarryHart-xo1oy Жыл бұрын

Thank for pointing this out-l have often been given the impression that pagan attacks on Christians were unprovoked.

@liamwhitehead3349 2 жыл бұрын

Very enjoyable and educational video Graeme, looking forward to watching the rest. Great editing 👌

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Liam, there are more in the pipeline!

@tashdegraciafitness 2 жыл бұрын

Such an interesting video!

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tash

@janeepooley Жыл бұрын

Thank you. Excellent!

@professorgraemeyorston Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@kc3718 Жыл бұрын

can't believe Eric Bloodaxe wasn't mentioned ..c'mon, he was ejected from Skandanavian society for being too much for even them ! But thast aside, chapeau, this is a wonderful addition to youtube. Thank you.

@professorgraemeyorston Жыл бұрын

Thank you - it took the History Channel six series to cover Ragnar and his sons - I couldn't include them all!

@gweniveretoliver3257 2 жыл бұрын

New sub!This was great.

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Gwenivere, welcome aboard!

@claudiabothma 9 ай бұрын

Many years ago in my late teens, I read a book about Joan Of Arc which stated she wasn't burnt at the stake. I then spoke to a highly regarded journalist here in South Africa, Barry Ronge, who informed me the book was propaganda. I was mortified that a book could have false information!

@professorgraemeyorston 9 ай бұрын

Every book has an agenda - I now read several biographies of the same person for my videos and there are huge differences in what information is included and how it is interpreted to suit the biographer's "new revelation".

@claudiabothma 9 ай бұрын

@@professorgraemeyorston Thank you for sharing- so true!

@LarsonPetty 3 ай бұрын

@@professorgraemeyorstonThis is actually the method that I have adopted to obtain reliable news reporting here in the US. Every network has their own agenda pandering to whichever Party fills their pockets. At this point, one must glean such impartial reporting from foreign news feeds to find a truly unbiased spin on facts and world events. I salute you, sir for going the extra mile, while striving to bring the truth to light regarding these long deceased individuals and their stories, as I am a descendant of the Norsemen on my maternal line.

@prakkari Жыл бұрын

Amanita Muscaria. They ate that mushroom before battle. Called it “Berserkjasveppur” means berserk mushroom.

@professorgraemeyorston Жыл бұрын

It is just one possibility.

@prakkari Жыл бұрын

@@professorgraemeyorston I am born and raised in Iceland and this is what I was always told. Might just be a theory though.

@vidamariaixchel4962 8 ай бұрын

Amanita Muscaria = 🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄

@loriblackman9953 5 ай бұрын

I had a teacher tell me they ate moldy pumpernickel/rye bread, at it had the same effect as LSD, so they didn't care that their arm was sliced off - just kept fighting.

@annakonda6727 11 ай бұрын

I just recently discovered your channe , very interesting videos, thanks!

@susanstein6604 Жыл бұрын

There’s a difference between soldiers and people living in a trading city.

@professorgraemeyorston Жыл бұрын

Was there a clear distinction between traders/farmers and warriors?

@cyboman9171 11 ай бұрын

Here's an old fashioned diagnosis that seems to include all the fabled Vikings in this video. It is a timeworn, if discredited, one - one not be be found in the DSM5-TR, I think: "Homicidal Manic."

@johnbroadway4196 4 ай бұрын

I am partly of Finish heritage. And there were times that MY BERSERKER WAS NATURALLY EVIDENT IN MY EMOTIONS. Especially when I would compete in anything I felt I should always win or any competitiveness. I would in fact get excited easily by the thought of playing pick up football. Where there no helmets and no rules. And I believe that " Berserker's " were of certain kind of Human with spiritual inclinations.

@professorgraemeyorston 4 ай бұрын

There is a theory that the berserker state was a spiritual one.

@lesliewells-ig5dl 10 ай бұрын

I saw a documentary, I don't remember the name of it, that said, when it was time to go to battle, the beserkers would choose one to eat a particular toxic plant. When he urinated, the other beserkers would drink the urine and that would cause the rest of them to go beserk and they would fight. The man who ate the toxic plant, I think it was a type of mushroom, would stay behind and hopefully recover, although sometimes the man died, a risk they were all aware of.

@professorgraemeyorston 10 ай бұрын

Interesting, I haven't heard this theory Most toxins are broken down in the liver though and do not appear in the urine!

@lesliewells-ig5dl 10 ай бұрын

@@professorgraemeyorston I wish ni could remember the name n the documentary and plant. I thought it was very interesting too.

@elizabethsharp8699 Жыл бұрын

We Say going berserk , meaning rampaging about and causing trouble

@crystalharris7394 2 жыл бұрын

👏👏👏👏

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Crystal. :)

@indigocheetah4172 Жыл бұрын

Would the condition , Dupuytren's contracture, , a lump appears under the ring finger and on the palm. Would that have been from the Vikings , from rowing great distances. I read about the history and I am not sure where it originated.

@professorgraemeyorston Жыл бұрын

It is a genetic condition - nothing to do with rowing - I have it and have never rowed a longship!

@indigocheetah4172 Жыл бұрын

@@professorgraemeyorston , hello Professor , I have it too. It is a myth , as I am from Scandinavian ancestry . and my siblings also have the condition. I wanted to ask , thank you .

@grimmmickey5125 Жыл бұрын

Of course the accounts of the people of Denmark were different because most of them probably weren't vikings. Remember viking was a profession or lifestyle not a nationality or race. Not all norse people were vikings.

@imissnickplur4964 Жыл бұрын

this audio is terrible, the frequency of being super low to jumping to near ear-rape levels makes this hard to watch.

@DawnDavidson Жыл бұрын

Per another comment here, and the response from the channel, this was apparently their first such effort, and they’ve improved things since. So you aren’t crazy; it really is erratic on sound levels! 😂

@jacquiaba9132 Жыл бұрын

It's di e on purpose as it goes hollow when quotes are being stated to aid the atmospheric effect.

@InvaliDidea123 2 жыл бұрын

I find the audio imbalanced and volume wandering - Otherwise good work!

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

It was our first effort - we have improved the technical side now.

@jacquiaba9132 Жыл бұрын

It's done on purpose it goes hollow when quotes are being stated.

@trimdinbusk 2 ай бұрын

As a professor of this topic, I am disappointed you use a thumbnail with a Viking wearing a horned helmet

@professorgraemeyorston 2 ай бұрын

Good point - the thumb was changed a while ago and I didn't notice it! You're quite right, the Vikings did not wear horned helmets!

@rhgps9763 2 жыл бұрын

4:25 woah Im eating bro!

@professorgraemeyorston 2 жыл бұрын

Life was tough in the Viking Age!

@BarryHart-xo1oy Жыл бұрын

I’m not surprised to find out that Dr. Yorston has a bit of Viking ancestry-his surname certainly sounds Scandinavian.

@professorgraemeyorston Жыл бұрын

That's me!

@elguapo2831 Жыл бұрын

🍄 Mead

@davidpyott3710 10 ай бұрын

One thing I m taking away from these videos is thank Christ they have eliminated or developed effective treatment for many of these appalling diseases and infections that you discussed.

@professorgraemeyorston 10 ай бұрын

Although improvements in medicine and the development of vaccines and antibiotics helped - it was better nutrition and sanitation in the 19th century that probably did more to improve your chances of getting to adulthood.

@dshe8637 3 ай бұрын

Rather than being 'non-binary', Vikings were more gender-critical. There were typical roles for the two sexes, but these tended to be more pragmatic than dogmatic. Women were involved in child-rearing, but when necessary, they would take up arms to fight.

@claudiabothma 9 ай бұрын

At least it wasn't Ivor the Spineless😂