Reporter: Hello sir, I am Amy, a reporter from BBC. You are a Viking, aren’t you?
Viking: Yes I am. My name is Daven.
Reporter: Nice to meet you Daven, may I ask you some questions?
Viking: Sure!
Reporter: Is it true that you wear horned helmets?
Viking: I am sorry to disappoint you, but this is just a myth, only god-like warriors wear helmets with protruding horns. We only wear simple skullcaps in order to protect our head. We don’t want to die easily on the battlefield!
Reporter: Another question. Is it true that you are extremely violent?
Viking: Well, some of us earned their reputation as “wolves of war” after they suppressed people in Britain. Others are extremely peaceful: they can afford to live thanks to farming and trading.
Reporter: Ok let’s move on to the next question. Is it true that you take anything you want and leave?
Viking: Actually it’s how I said before: many of us, mostly the Scandinavian ones, pillage the places they reach and bring back coins from all over the world to be buried in hoards back in their homelands. A minority instead, has chosen to settle in an area and to establish important settlements. A settlement in Dublin for example has grown into an industrially strong city with a thriving port and a mint where the first irish coins were made. Even Jorvik is a great town nowadays!
Reporter: Oh I see. Let me ask you another question: Do you consider yourselves ignorant? And do you respect women?
Viking: Don’t you dare call us ignorant! We are the best naval engineers and travelers the world has ever seen!
We are a largely military society in which strength and arms are prized.
Women can have power too. They even guard the keys of both property and wealth, particularly when the men are abroad. Some of them are trained leaders too.
Reporter: Ok, last question Daven, then I’ll leave, promise. Are you unkempt?
Viking: Well, both the men and the women are quite vain. We have combs and razors and we go to great pains in order to maintain our appearance. Moreover, we live in large and luxurious halls, like the magnificent Herot.
Reporter: Thank you very much for your contribution to our program. Have a nice day Daven!
Viking: Hey da (bye), have a nice day you too!