[Oztrich Boy]

All of which could have been avoided, if people had been willing to sit down and negotiate with the vikings. [/s]

Not possible, The vikings were bitter people, clinging to their weapons and their cod.

A wayfarer should not walk unarmed,
But have his weapons to hand:
He knows not when he may need a spear,
Or what menace meet on the road.

[babble-on]

"clinging to their weapons and their cod"

Sometimes for efficiency they would combine these, to form what was known as a cod-piece

[ClearCase_guy]

“As Cod is my witness, I thought vikings would negotiate.” [/WKRP]