Viking longships, were they really that combat effective?

[grumbler]

This thread should be put into a time capsule, so that future generations will have the answer to the question "what was the archtypical Languish thread?"

Kudos to all.

[Queequeg]

I don't know if I really play as big a part on Languish as I do specifically on this thread.  Also, there's no Martinus.

[Caliga]

Good point, Spellus.  This thread needs more faggotry.

[Ed Anger]

The Byzantines could shoot fireballs out their arse.

I haven't had Indian food in a while.

I've ate Indian tacos a couple times.

[Caliga]

I was extremely angry at some Indians today.

[Viking]

Which one are you referring to? But more importantly did the Vikings stop being Vikings? Was it when they stopped bathing and started eating goose livers?

The Normans didn't speak, pray, fight, rule, eat, or build buildings like 9th Century Scandinavians.  They might have used similar ships for a while (as seen in the Bayeux tapestry), but I think that is the extent of the relationship besides a few nautical terms and some genetic background.  In my mind they have about the same relationship with Vikings that the Mitanni did with Indo-Aryans, or the French do with the Franks.

I think there's a more convincing argument to be made that some of the early Rurikid Princedoms might fairly be considered hybridized Viking, but I think the Normans are largely unrecognizable, though, as mentioned, their nautical inclinations come from the Viking side of the family.

Well the 10th, 11th and 12th century vikings didn't pray (asatru vs christianity), eat (christianity meant more fish), fight (the organized armies of the 10th century raiders and the 11th century kings were not the same as the 9th century pirates) or rule like 9th century vikings (9th century local kings, 10th century sea kings, 11th century national kings). To the best of our knowledge they didn't really speak like them either. 9th century old norse is probably less similar to the west norse of the 13th century sagas than modern icelandic is to the west norse of the 13th century sagas. But we don't know. 

What you are saying is that when Vikings settled (ie took land) they adapted the tactics which were used by their sea king predecessors and used the tactics best suited to fighting their local opponents from a fixed base. Is that correct?

[jimmy olsen]

That's why

They're attacking a besieged Frankish fortified town abutting an inland lake. They sailed up a river and are transporting their boats to the lake. The town is unfortified on that side so they're fucked.

[Jaron]

Incredible!

[The Minsky Moment]

Frankly, the example Jimmy has Pict is incorrect.  What Olaf!  I am surprised he even Daned to post it.  The Angles are all wrong. The ships as drawn -- rather Slavenly I might add -- could never stand up to a Gael in open ocean.  The Franks, who should be in terror, are making no attempt to seek Mercia.  I could point out Moor errors, but I just Kent go on right now.

[Syt]

 

[Strix]

They're attacking a besieged Frankish fortified town abutting an inland lake. They sailed up a river and are transporting their boats to the lake. The town is unfortified on that side so they're fucked.

I think after carrying the boats that far that the Vikings will be fucked.

[sbr]

The Byzantines could shoot fireballs out their arse.

I haven't had Indian food in a while.

I've ate Indian tacos a couple times.

Do they shave?  I always pictured Indian "tacos" to be extremely bushy.

[sbr]

This thread should be put into a time capsule, so that future generations will have the answer to the question "what was the archtypical Languish thread?"

Kudos to all.

needs moar American Civil War.

[Viking]

They're attacking a besieged Frankish fortified town abutting an inland lake. They sailed up a river and are transporting their boats to the lake. The town is unfortified on that side so they're fucked.

I think after carrying the boats that far that the Vikings will be fucked.

The boats were not lifted, they were dragged across land.

[The Brain]

Frankly, the example Jimmy has Pict is incorrect.  What Olaf!  I am surprised he even Daned to post it.  The Angles are all wrong. The ships as drawn -- rather Slavenly I might add -- could never stand up to a Gael in open ocean.  The Franks, who should be in terror, are making no attempt to seek Mercia.  I could point out Moor errors, but I just Kent go on right now.

Nice spelling, Tim.