Viking Ring Fortress Discovered in Denmark

Archeologoists on the island of Zealand in Denmark was unearthed a circular fortress that has been dated to about the tenth century, which might put it under the reign of Harald Bluetooth, the first Christian king of Denmark and Norway.

However, some historians contend the fortresses were constructed by his son Sweyn Forkbeard, the first Danish King of England, as a military training camp or barracks from which to launch his invasions of England. Sweyn Forkbeard seized London in 1013 and was declared King of England on Christmas Day of that year.

The newly discovered fortress has a diameter of 475 feet, making it the third-largest of its type, and consists of a 35-foot wide circular rampart surrounded by a palisade of wooden spikes.

The excavation is far from complete. These ring fortresses are called Trelleborgs in Denmark, after the town near where the first was discovered. There have been four such fortresses found in western Zealand. Read more about them at the Telegraph. -via Digg

(Image credit: Danskebjerge)


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