[Wyrd bið ful aræd]

That show is truly awful from a historical accuracy standpoint — the Saxons wearing the armor the English used in “Braveheart,” and some them even wearing burgonet helmets like a bunch of conquistadors! Add to that the Saxons not understanding shieldwalls or basic swordsmanship. I understand there is a theme they are going for -- rich affluent but inept Saxons vs. hungry, skillful warrior Vikings, but still. And the whole "women integrated into combat" thing the show has -- I can't recall the number of arguments I've had with ignorant morons who insist this is accurate. Never mind the total dearth of evidence in everything from contemptorary accounts, grave goods, osteology, and common sense on this score.

However, I read that the BCC is making an adaption of Bernard Cornwell's awesome, excellent Saxon Chronicles, due out some time next year. Provided they don't screw it up too much, it will be worth watching to say the least!

[laplata]

Good points. I couldn’t agree more.

Yes, hopefully the BBC program will be good.

[Texan5]

I saw that, too-Brit productions are usually more historically accurate than the Hollyfarce ones-the Saxon Chronicles are not finished yet-maybe BBC will stay with the books to the end?

[Afterguard]

I didn’t know that the BBC was doing that... Finally, something worthwhile to watch on TV that doesn’t include The Doctor or Top Gear! Uhtred of Bebbanburg has become one of my favorite literary characters. Hope they do him justice.

[Dead Corpse]

Quote me the episode where you’ve seen them wearing a burgeonet style heltmet. I have both season 1 and 2 on DVD.

Further, yes... The Saxons do fight well... For Saxons. Against Vikings, a lot of folks came up short. There are at least two battles where the Vikings are outmanuevered and defeated.

And yes, there is actual evidence that Norse women not only accompanied men on raids, but fought as well. Realativly rare, but it did actually happen.

You can call Saxo a liar, but then you are undercutting using what he wrote about a lot of other things as well.

http://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Kaupang_in_Skiringssal.html?id=0OYiAQAAIAAJ

Several of the female graves at this dig site included woman sized axes, arrows, and knives. Noted in that they are similar in kit buried with male warriors.