The first of the British history episodes and also the first in a 6 episode arc on Vikings. These have been very popular. We take a very historical, but unconventionally pro-Viking view.
We begin with Pelagius and the Joseph of Arimathea legend. A unique foundation myth for the British church. And then England catches the worst case of Vikings in the world. We move from a high level overview of the early raids to an up close and personal look at a young viking. What's it like at home for him? Why is he interested in going raiding? Blood feuds, Tolkien's in depth look at blood feuds in the Finn and Hengst section of the Beowulf poem. Were vikings just traders? No. We finish with Norman mercenaries conquering Sicily and southern Italy after being hired on as mercenaries by Lombard lords.
The Lombard origins story rounds off the episode. This is a really important story that tells a great deal, practically every detail is rich in implication.
Nightrider and Quokka98 are both guests.