Academics claim that the old Viking stereotype is damaging (tell that to a 9th century monk in Ireland)

Another in a long line of recent attempts by some historians to repaint the Vikings as somewhat less than the murderous thugs they actually were...

Cambridge University has launched a campaign to recast them as "new men" with an interest in grooming, fashion and poetry.
Academics claim that the old stereotype is damaging, and want teenagers to be more appreciative of the Vikings' social and cultural impact on Britain.

They say that the Norse explorers, far from being obsessed with fighting and drinking, were a largely-peaceful race who were even criticised for being too hygienic.

The university's department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic has published a guide revealing how much of the Vikings' history has been misrepresented.

Read more here.