Friday 28th June - Special Event
“From the fury of the Northmen, O Lord Deliver Us”.
The Vikings, renowned as fierce sea warriors and traders, are somewhat misunderstood by our modern world. The 200 years of The Danelaw still remain, 1,500 years later, in place names in our East Midland towns and Villages. Viking settlements, like Jorvik, tell too of their art, architecture and government.
Edmund, King of East Anglia, aged just 28, met a cruel death by the Vikings in 869 AD and was instantly made a saint. The truly wonderful medieval wall painting of St Edmund's martyrdom in Stoke Dry Church, Rutland, is unique and is of national importance. It is the focus of the CHF conservation grant in 2024.
The delightful Dr Katherine Cross, St John University of York, gave an enthralling illustrated talk, bringing alive the Vikings who dominated this part of England from 869 to 1100 and highlighting St Edmund, our patron saint before St George.