William R. Short

Author, Speaker, and Demonstrator
on Viking, Norse, and medieval Icelandic topics

William R. Short

Dr. William R. Short is an author, filmmaker, lecturer, and independent scholar specializing in Viking-age topics, notably medieval Icelandic literature, Viking-age material culture, Viking-age weapons, and Viking-age combat techniques.

Dr. Short is the manager of Hurstwic, LLC, an organization that researches, practices, teaches, and demonstrates the fighting moves of Viking-age warriors. This teaching has led to the creation of a series of Viking combat training videos, as well as two feature-length documentary films with accompanying picture books based on historic Viking-age battles from the Sagas of Icelanders.

In the fall of 2019, Dr. Short and Hurstwic co-sponsored a festival of experimental archaeology in Iceland with Eiríksstaðir, the Viking-age home of Eirík the Red. The focus of the festival was uncovering the lost secrets of making iron in Viking-age Iceland, secrets that had been forgotten centuries ago. We brought together teams of experts from North America, Iceland, and Europe in a multi-faceted research project that culminated with our making iron in Iceland for the first time in centuries, using all Icelandic materials and Viking-age tools and techniques.

Men of Terror: A Comprehensive Analysis of Viking Combat details a 20+ year research program into Viking Combat and Viking society, published by Westholme Publishing.

Icelanders in the Viking Age: The People of the Sagas is a companion and introduction to the Sagas of Icelanders and is now available, published by McFarland & Company.

Viking Weapons and Combat Techniques, a book that summarizes his research results has been reprinted in a paperback edition published by Westholme Publishing.

Dr. Short presents on Viking-age topics at universities, schools, museums, and other cultural institutions.

dot now available:
Men of Terror: A Comprehensive Analysis of Viking Combat, a new book that details Hurstwic's 20+ year research into Viking combat.
dot Personal appearances
dot Biographical sketch
dot Web articles on the Hurstwic site

Men of Terror: A Comprehensive Analysis of Viking Combat

William R. Short and Reynir A. Óskarson

Westholme Publishing

Now Available
from your favorite bookseller or Amazon

ISBN: 978-1-59416-360-9
352 pages
300 B/W illustrations
hardback

more information

Men of Terror


The Final Battle of Grettir the Strong: A Picture Book
Lokabardagi Grettis sterka: Myndasaga

William R. Short

Hurstwic, LLC

Now Available
from Lulu and from other merchants

ISBN 978-1-3657-6264-2
54 pages
full color throughout
softcover

more information

The Final Battle of Grettir the Strong Picture Book


The Final Battle of Grettir the Strong

William R. Short
Reynir A.

Hurstwic, LLC

Now Available
from Hurstwic, LLC, from Amazon, and from other merchants
or watch it right now on Vimeo on Demand
(featured program or special bonus features)

widescreen DVD
176 minutes run-time on 2 discs
region-free

watch a preview on YouTube (featured program or special bonus features)
and previews featuring interviews on:
Viking outlaws; Viking strength; Viking bones; Viking ghosts;
Saga manuscripts; Viking fighting; Viking law

more information

The Final Battle of Grettir the Strong


The Final Battle of Gisli Sursson: A Picture Book
Lokabardagi Gísla Súrssonar: Myndasaga

William R. Short

Hurstwic, LLC

Now Available
from Lulu and from other merchants

ISBN 978-1-3129-9753-0
52 pages
full color throughout
softcover

more information

The Final Battle of Gisli Sursson Picture Book


The Final Battle of Gísli Súrsson

William R. Short
Reynir A.

Hurstwic, LLC

Now Available
from Hurstwic, LLC, from Amazon, and from other merchants
or watch it right now on Vimeo on Demand

widescreen DVD
93 minutes run-time
region-free

watch a preview on YouTube

more information

The Final Battle of Gisli Sursson


Hurstwic® Viking Combat Training
Viking Fighting Moves from the Sagas

William R. Short
Reynir A.

Hurstwic, LLC

Now Available
from Hurstwic, LLC, from Amazon, and from other merchants
or watch it right now on Vimeo on Demand

widescreen DVD
53 minutes run-time
region-free

watch a preview on YouTube

more information

Hurstwic Viking Combat Training DVD 3


Hurstwic® Viking Combat Training
Volume 2: Advanced Viking Training

William R. Short
Reynir A.

Hurstwic, LLC

Now Available
from Hurstwic, LLC, from Amazon, and from other merchants
or watch it right now on Vimeo on Demand

widescreen DVD
65 minutes run-time
region-free

watch a preview on YouTube

more information

Hurstwic DVD volume 2


Hurstwic® Viking Combat Training
Volume 1: Fundamentals of Viking Training

William R. Short

Hurstwic, LLC

Now Available
from Hurstwic, LLC, from Amazon, and from other merchants
or watch it right now on Vimeo on Demand

widescreen DVD
75 minutes run-time
region-free

watch a preview on YouTube

more information

Viking combat training DVD cover art


Icelanders in the Viking Age:
The People of the Sagas

William R. Short

McFarland & Company

Now Available
from your favorite bookseller or Amazon

ISBN: 978-0-7864-4727-5
280 pages
60 B/W photographs, illustrations, and maps
notes, appendix, glossary, index
softcover

more information

Icelanders in the Viking Age cover art


Viking Weapons and Combat Techniques

William R. Short

Westholme Publishing

Once Again Available
from your favorite bookseller or Amazon

ISBN: 978-1-59416-217-6
192 pages
280 B/W illustrations
softcover

more information

Viking Weapons and Combat Techniques book jacket


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Last update: 17-Nov-2024
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