Tag Archives: Vikings

The Terrible Tale of Ælfheah – Archbishop of Canterbury

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Stephen Liddell

Being the Archbishop of Canterbury is probably not the easiest job in the world. You might have a nice palace in London and an entourage of officials around you but there is no doubt lots of travelling, meetings to have … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life, London, Religion and Faith | Tagged Archbishop, Ælfheah, Æthelred the Unready, Danegeld, Danelaw, Greenwich, St. Alphege, Vikings | 8 Comments

Up Helly Aa – The Modern Day Viking Festival

Posted on January 30, 2017 by Stephen Liddell

This coming Tuesday sees one of the most spectacular event of the British cultural calendar though it is a long from most people in the British Isles. It is known as Up Helly Aa and takes place in the town … Continue reading →

Posted in Cool Britannia, Culture, history, Life, Travel | Tagged history, Lerwick, Life, Scotland, Shetland, The Shetland Islands, Up Helly Aa, Vikings | 8 Comments

The Battle of Hastings and 1066

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Stephen Liddell

Today is the 950th anniversary of one of the most pivotal battles in history. Perhaps only the Battle of Manzikert in 1071AD which saw the collapse of the Byzantine Empire and the gradual Turkification of Anatolia can rival it for … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Uncategorized | Tagged AngloSaxon, Battle of Hastings, Edward The Confessor, England, King Harold, Normandy, The Normans, Vikings, William The Conqueror | 8 Comments

The history of Father Christmas & Santa Claus

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Stephen Liddell

I’m not really into the modern Christmas, I’m much more into the original meaning of Christmas. However that’s not to say I’m not interested in the traditions of Father Christmas it’s just that I am into the more original meanings … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Religion and Faith | Tagged Christian, Christmas, Faith, Father Christmas, history, Lapland, Life, Pagan, religion, Saint Nicholas, Santa, Vikings, winter | 1 Comment

Bitten to death by a dead mans head: The unfortunate, deserving & true tale of Sigurd Eysteinsson

Posted on March 8, 2014 by Stephen Liddell

One of the slightly odd pleasures I had when I was studying at university was learning of various terrible ways people died or executed. To some degree this is normal for many historians but as I majored in amongst others, … Continue reading →