How to Train Your Ormr: Dragons in the Viking Age

Join Miranda and Max as they continue their stroll around the JORVIK Viking Centre.
This time they're discussing a display case filled with some smaller and more ornate personal items worn by the people of Viking age York for adornment, status and practical purposes.

For our past Gallery Walk Throughs check out:
JORVIK Viking Centre Gallery Walk Through: Travel and Trade
JORVIK Viking Centre Gallery Walk Through: Skeletons
JORVIK Viking Centre Gallery Walk Through: Brooches, Buckles and Blades
JORVIK Viking Centre Gallery Walk Through: Trade with the East

Listen and enjoy, and please consider leaving us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!

Thank you all who partook in JORVIK Viking Festival 2024, whether in person or online! We had so much fun that we need a small hiatus to recover, so this week we'll take a look back at a saga from last year:

Gather 'round once more, dear listeners, as That JORVIK Viking Thing Podcast revisits the legendary tale of Loki and the Golden Apples in an enchanting encore presentation! Join the ever-curious Silly History Boys as they spin the yarn of a mischievous trickster, a mystical bird, and apples that bestow immortality.

In this reawakening of divine mischief, immerse yourself in the whimsical world of Norse mythology as the gods partake in a peculiar dating show! But the adventure doesn't end there! Lucas and Miranda then take a dive deep into the morally ambiguous character of Loki and ponder the logistical intricacies of those coveted immortality apples.

If you want to continue enjoying the JORVIK Viking Festival 2024, check out our video series about the Herefordshire Hoard (now on display at JORVIK Viking Centre).
Or you can watch the recording of some of the festival livestreams, like In Conversation with... The Viking Museum in Stockholm, or The Richard Hall Symposium Presents: Fedir Androshchuk. 

We'll be back in two weeks with a brand new episode - see you then!

Listen and enjoy, and please consider leaving us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!

Discovered by metal detectorists near Leominster in 2015, the Herefordshire Hoard consists of silver coins,  gold jewellery and a single silver ingot. It was buried between AD 870 and AD 879 and is likely connected with the presence of the Viking ‘Great Army’ in the Kingdom of Mercia during that period.
The Hoard reveals new information about politics in the late 9th century, demonstrating the movement and activity of the Viking army and an alliance between the kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex at a time when the unification and of England was taking shape.
It is believed that most of the Hoard, discovered in 2015 by metal detectorists in a field near Leominster, has been sold on the black market, with the current collection only representing 10% of the original find.  The perpetrators have since been sentenced to over 23 years in prison, but the items illicitly sold have not been recovered.  The remaining items from the Hoard – which as ‘treasure’ was owned by the Crown - returned to Herefordshire following a fundraising appeal.

In this episode we hear from Tim Hoverd, Archaeological Projects Manager for Herefordshire Archaeology, Judy Stevenson, Team Leader for the Herefordshire Museum Service, and Gareth Williams, Curator of Anglo-Saxon coins in the Department of Coins and Medals at the British Museum. 

To see the Herefordshire Hoard for yourselves, book your tickets now for the JORVIK Viking Centre. Or, you can watch our videos about the hoard here. 

Listen and enjoy, and please consider leaving us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!

Explore the captivating world of Elves in Norse mythology, from mischievous folklore creatures to epic, magical beings. 
We are again joined by Max, a JORVIK Viking Centre veteran, as we navigate through Old Norse literature, wading through the complexities of Alfheim, Elf-Women, and confusing Elven connections with gods and warriors. 
We delve into the Prose Edda's baffling descriptions of Light-Elves and Dark-Elves that  blur the lines between Elves and Dwarves. From Volund's intricate tale to Loki's dealings with Dwarves, this episode seeks to unravels the confounding tapestry of Norse cosmology (in regards to elves anyway)!

Listen and enjoy, and please consider leaving us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!

Join us this New Year's Day for an intriguing exploration of Viking riddles!

Today were joined by Max, a seasoned JORVIK Viking,  who unveils the world of Viking riddles, from clever kennings to the downright silly.

Explore the artistry of kennings in Viking poetry and dive into the Saga of Hervor and Heithrek, where "Gestumblindi's" (read: Odin in disguise) riddles range from clever to comically bizarre. We also go through a few Anglo-Saxon riddles, which quickly go from quite highbrow and religious, to salacious and a bit ridiculous.

Tune in for a unique blend of linguistic wit, intelligence, and a touch of silliness as we unravel the tapestry of riddles in Viking and Anglo-Saxon cultures. 

Listen and enjoy, and please consider leaving us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!

In the spirit of the season, we're taking a short break for Christmas, but fear not – we have a special treat for you. Join us for a nostalgic revisit of one of our favourite episodes: "The Tale of Audun and the Polar Bear", formerly titled "Troll the Ancient Yuletide Carol: Viking Yule."

Our resident skald, Lucas , weaves a tale of adventure as a Viking embarks on a daring quest to gift the King of Denmark a polar bear. The story unfolds against the backdrop of icy landscapes, filled with bravery, cunning, and a friendship.

As we take a break to celebrate the holidays, we extend our gratitude to our wonderful listeners for a fantastic year of support. We'll return in the new year with more sagas, interviews, and Viking chitchat. Until then, may your Yule be filled with warmth and  merriment.

Thank you for a year of Viking tales, and here's to many more in the coming year! 

Listen and enjoy, and please consider leaving us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!

It's getting cold, and dark, which means its the perfect time to talk about Ragnarok - the coldest and darkest story of all!

In this episode, we journey deep into the heart of Norse mythology to unravel the legendary tale of Ragnarok – the Twilight of the Gods.

What lead to Ragnarok, and is it avoidable?

From imprisonment of Loki's children to the death of the god Baldr, tensions escalate, setting the stage for the ultimate clash between gods, giants, and just about every epic baddie in Norse Mythology. We'll look at Fimbulwinter, the crowing of roosters, and the earth-shaking re-emergence of Fenrir, the Midgard Serpent, and Hel. We'll discuss the epic showdown, explore the fate of key characters, and find hope (?) in the aftermath.

If you haven't make sure to listen to these referenced episodes:

Thor Goes Fishing for the Midgard Serpent
Loki and the Golden Apples
Beauty by Baldr
Saga of the Volsungs pt 1: Blood and Betrayal
Saga of the Volsungs pt 2: Passion and Poison
Saga of the Volsungs pt 3: Revenge and Renewal
Saga of the Volsungs pt 4: Oaths and Omens
Saga of the Volsungs pt 5: Death and Deceit

Listen and enjoy, and please consider leaving us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!

As some of you may know, the Vikings we celebrate and teach people about were Anglo-Scandinavians, meaning they were part Norse and part Anglo-Saxon. 
In this episode we get hear more about the Anglo-Saxons who populated the area known as Northumbria before the Vikings arrived. 
Come along as we embark on a compelling exploration of Ad Gefrin, an Anglo-Saxon Museum and Whisky Distillery nestled in the heart of Northumberland. Join us in conversation with Chris Ferguson, the Director of Experience at Ad Gefrin, as we uncover the Anglo-Saxon history within the museum's exhibits and the archaeology of the local area. 
Discover the unique blend of heritage and spirits that defines Ad Gefrin, offering listeners a captivating glimpse into the rich tapestry of the Anglo-Saxon era.

Listen and enjoy, and please consider leaving us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!

Get ready to set sail back in time with us this week as we revisit the captivating tale of Amleth, the inspiration behind Shakespeare's Hamlet and Robert Eggers's The Northman (2022).
In this episode, Miranda and Lucas take you on a thrilling journey through the enigmatic world of Amleth, shedding new light on a story you thought you knew. Expect a tale of intrigue, betrayal, and vengeance as we delve deep into the Viking legend.
And don't worry, while we're taking this short trip down memory lane, we'll be back in just two weeks with an exciting new episode. So, stay tuned for a dose of Viking history!

Cast:
Amleth - Philip Roebuck
Feng - James Tyler
King of Britain - John Goldring
Hermutrude - Fiona Hyde
Servent - Tom Turton

...
Daudir by Alexander Nakarada | https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Listen and enjoy, and please consider leaving us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!

Join us as we delve into the intriguing world of Viking dragons. Unlike the majestic winged fire-breathing dragons of modern fantasy, these creatures from Old Norse mythology are a diverse and enigmatic bunch. 

Miranda and Lucas discuss some of the best known examples of Dragons in the myths and Sagas (some of which have featured in recent episodes), and talk about Dragons' role in Ragnarok!

Join us on this journey through Viking dragon lore, where these creatures are as mysterious and diverse as the myths themselves.

Listen and enjoy, and please consider leaving us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!