- DURATION 60 mins x 4
Event Description
Week 1 - Limitless Audacity - the Vikings Take on the World
The Vikings have had a bad press because of their reputation for brutality. They were ruthless & daring but with an adventurous spirit. In around two centuries they changed the face of the northern world. Assisted by their technical skills they radiated out from Scandinavia to Bagdad & Constantinople in the east, to an unknown continent in the west, conquering kingdoms, founding states and towns and lands in between.
Week 2 - Seine But Not Forgotten - Viking Raids in France
The Vikings first rowed up the Seine in 845 and returned 3 times in the 860’s, each time looting and being bought off, culminating in the siege of Paris. The Viking raids had started in 799 with an attack on the monastery at Noirmoutier and between 841 & 892 barely a year passed without a major raid particularly on the north coast, and then following the rivers to penetrate inland. It is thought the leaders could have been the legendary Ragnor Lodbrok and his sons, Bjorn Ironsides and Halfdan.
Week 3 - Odin Meets Allah - Vikings in Spain & Portugal
Sea faring Vikings were making violent raids on Muslim Spain and Portugal, and also Italy and the coast of Africa, during the 9th century. The raids had begun in France then moved onto the Iberian coast, attacking La Coruna, taking over Cadiz harbour before sacking Seville; they burnt down a mosque in Algeciras on their way to the Mediterranean, and attacked the Balearic Islands. But the Vikings had met their match unlike in other areas they raided and pillaged.
Week 4 - From Viking Pagans to Norman Christians - a Story of Normandy
In the late 8th century Vikings terrorized continental European coastlines with their raiding and plundering. At the beginning of the 10th century the French king, Charles the Simple came up with a plan and gave some land to a band of Vikings led by Rollo the Walker, in the hope this would act as a buffer to further raids. An interesting idea that resulted in these Vikings pagans becoming French speaking Christians and fighting the English in 1066!
- Duration: 60 mins x 4
- Online Zoom event: Join from your computer, phone or tablet (no replay available)
Meet the Host, Sandy
Sandy Leong is a historian and a member of the Royal Historical Society, entertaining audiences by telling stories that bring history to life. A qualified teacher, she has enjoyed a lifelong career in education, teaching in schools, colleges, and universities in the UK and abroad. She has led a wide range of educational projects across the UK and Europe and is a published author.
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