Ivy G.’s Reviews > The Wolf Age: The Vikings, the Anglo-Saxons and the Battle for the North Sea Empire > Status Update

Leaders would have no choice but to convert to Christianity if they wanted more power considering religious influence dictated who are allowed to act as allies or support. It is also emphasized that during this era, despite loyalty being the highest virtue, money can still buy it and there are enough examples of different jarls and men of positions of power betraying each other for the sake of riches.

Christianity is a tool to forge alliances especially between heathens. There couldn’t be an alliance between a heathen and a christian, so heathens would have to convert before they could ally.

I think this is a very simple explanation to the influence of religion plays a large role in politics. The spread of Christianity = agreements to ally with them. It’s no wonder the religion became so widespread.

Just when I thought that the ravaging and pillaging by the Danes were terrible, the book reminded me that the rest of the world exists and in a world that made profit through violence, slave trade and markets were huge from 700’s to the late 900’s. Historically, we came a long way towards progress.