Adult & Higher Education

In this fascinating course, learners will journey back over 1000 years to learn about the world and society of the Vikings. You will explore the culture that produced not only ruthless raiders, but also savvy traders and fearless explorers, whose influence stretched from Canada in the West to Baghdad in the East. You will discover how the Vikings left their mark on history through the writings of contemporary observers. Although the Vikings themselves documented little about their own lives, accounts from the Anglo-Saxons, the Franks and even scholars from Baghdad, provide rich insights into their encounters with the Vikings. You will also discover the stories of legendary figures, including Ragnar Lothbrok, Lief Eriksson and Harald Hardrada. The lessons will be a mixture of lecture based context and group discussion.

Topics may include:

• Who were the Vikings?
• The Viking world: From Scandinavia, to Canada, Russia, and the Middle East
• The Vikings and their neighbours: The British Isles
• The Vikings and their neighbours – The Frankish Empire
• The Vikings and their neighbours – Russia and the Kievan Rus
• The Vikings and their neighbours – Ibn Fadlan and the Middle East
• The Vinland Saga and the journey to the New World
• Snorri Sturlisson and the Sagas
• Society, law, and gender in the Viking world
• Religion and conversion – from Norse Mythology to Christian Kings.

No prior knowledge of history is needed - just a curiosity for the past and a love for great stories!

Just a pen & paper for note-taking.

You may also be interested in our other History courses:

• The Anglo-Saxons: The Story of Early England
• Medieval England: The Norman & Plantagenet Era