LEADERS AND EXPLORERS.

This article provides information on various leaders and explorers from Viking history. It mentions Cnut the Great, who ruled England, Denmark, and Norway, and is known for the legend of "King Canute and the tide." Sigrid the Haughty, a semi-legendary queen, ruled Sweden and may have married Sweyn Forkbeard. Olga of Kiev, a Viking woman, became regent of Kievan Rus' and is venerated as a saint. Erik the Red explored Greenland and founded the first European settlement there. Sweyn Forkbeard conquered England and became the first Danish king of the English. Leif Erikson is believed to be the first known European to set foot in continental North America. Guthrum, a Viking leader, was defeated by King Alfred the Great and ruled as king of East Anglia. Rurik ruled Novgorod and expanded his kingdom to form the Kievan Rus' state, which is considered the origin of modern Russia. Harald Hardrada, known as the "Thunderbolt of the North," fought as a mercenary and claimed the thrones of Denmark and England. Rollo, a Viking leader, became the first duke of Normandy and his descendants, the Normans, greatly influenced Medieval Europe. [Extracted from the article]