On Thud and Blunder or 'The Importance of Doing Research'

Too many people writing heroic fantasy these days slap the word Viking onto whatever they've pounded out without knowing much more about them than how to spell the word Viking.

It's especially prevalent in film where the swords and knives look like $2 treasures from a flea market or the trash left behind at a frat house kegger.

This is an Albion Valkyja. Not an actual Viking Sword but a modern interpretation based upon extensive research and one of the most stunning interpretations of the originals we've ever seen.

  Poul Anderson wrote a delightful piece on the importance of doing research some years ago.

via SFWA.org

On Thud And Blunder

Enjoy.