Browse Items (62 total)
Sort by:
Olaf Tryggvason on the Olaf and Thyra Window in Lerwick Town Hall
The Olaf and Thyra Window in Lerwick Town Hall depicts the Norwegian King Olaf Tryggvason (Óláfr Tryggvason) who officially brought Christianity to Shetland in 995. See item 624 for Thyra and…
Depiction of the Founding of St Magnus Cathedral on the Thoms Window in Lerwick Town Hall
Detail of the Founding of St Magnus Cathedral by William the Old, on the Thoms Window in Lerwick Town Hall, Shetland.
The Coronation of King Magnus Erlingsson of Norway on the Thoms Window in Lerwick Town Hall
Detail from the Thoms Window, depicting the coronation of King Magnus Erlingsson of Norway in 1162. More information at http://www.shetland.gov.uk/lerwick-town-hall/Thoms-Window.asp
The Thoms Window in Lerwick Town Hall, Shetland
Stained glass window depicting the third Bishop of Trondheim, Eysteinn Erlendsson and the first bishop of Ornkey and Shetland, William the Old, who probably acceded to the Bishopric around 1102. He is pictured here with a model of St Magnus…
St Magnus Street in Lerwick, Shetland
This sign refers to the early twelfth century Earl of Orkney, Magnus Erlendsson, who was martyred in 1115 according to Orkneyinga saga. Many streets in central Lerwick are named after Scandinavian Kings, Queens and Saints, particularly from the…
The unfolding story of the Brough of Deerness
Excavations at the Brough of Deerness have found a high-status, Norse settlement.
Highland Park Whisky: Svein
One of the Viking-themed single-malt whiskies produced by Highland Park Distillery in Orkney. Sveinn Ásleifarson was a twelfth-century Viking whose raids are mentioned in Orkneyinga Saga. The Highland Park Distillery describes him as "the ultimate…
Runes at Kirkwall Airport
This is the entrance of Kirkwall Airport, Orkney. The placename Grimsetter is written in the runes "krimsitir" in the younger futhark. The new building was opened in 2002 and I have been told that M. P. Barnes advised on the correct use of the runes.
Broch of Gurness
Iron Age broch on Mainland Orkney build between 500 and 200 BC. Several Viking Age burials (9th century) have been found in proximity to the Broch.
Blog post: Auðr the Far-Traveler …
Brief overview of the voyages that Auðr/Unnr djúp(a)uðga Ketilsdóttir made in various sources that relate about her. With Google Maps images of the locations mentioned.
The Scar Dragon Plaque in The Orkney Museum
The Scar Dragon Plaque is one of the most impressive of the finds from the Norse Scar Boat Burial, excavated in 1991. The grave contained the remains of an adult man, an elderly woman, and a child along with grave goods. The artefacts date to c. 875…
Photo of St Olaf's Wynd Street Sign in Orkney
Photo of the street sign 'Olaf's Wynd' in Kirkwall, Orkney. Wynd is a placename element from the Norse verb venda, meaning 'to turn' or 'to wind'. St Olaf refers to the Norwegian king Ólafr Haraldsson, who reigned from 1015 to 1028 and was…
St Magnus Church, Orkney
St Magnus Church, founded at the site of the killing of Saint Magnus Erlendsson, Earl of Orkney by an axe-blow to the head in ca. 1116 at the orders of his cousin Hákon Pálsson. This episode, referred to in Orkneyinga saga, is possibly corroborated…
Round Church at Orphir, Orkney
The round 'Kirk' at Orphir was built in the late eleventh or early twelfth century, possibly by Earl Hakon. It was dedicated to Saint Nicholas and its round style is based on the Ecclesia Sancti Sepulchri in Jerusalem: a fashion probably brought home…
Photo of Maeshowe (Orkhaugr) in Orkney
Maeshowe is a neolithic burial mound and chambered cairn on the mainland island of Orkney. Its connection to the Vikings (or Norse in Orkney) is the fact that the chamber was looted and used as a shelter on various occasions, as attested by the…
Runic donation box, Orkneyinga saga Centre, Orphir
A donation box in the Orkneyinga saga Centre in Orphir, Orkney, featuring an open-mouthed face (viking?) with accompanying runic inscription.
'The Orkneyinga saga Centre, Orphir, tells the story of the Norse Earls of Orkney using The Orkneyinga…
'The Orkneyinga saga Centre, Orphir, tells the story of the Norse Earls of Orkney using The Orkneyinga…
Interview with Prof. Donna Heddle on the importance of Viking heritage in Orkney
An interview with Prof. Donna Heddle, Director of the University of the Highlands and Islands interdisciplinary Centre for Nordic Studies based in Kirkwall. The interview was conducted on the Orkney Viking Heritage Project field trip.
Children's Activity Sheet on Vikings in Orkney
An activity sheet for primary school children on the topic of Viking and Norse culture in Orkney, produced by PhD Researcher Nela Scholma-Mason for the Orkney Viking Heritage Project
Reading of skaldic verse by David Baker and Orri Tomasson
Readings of skaldic verse produced for the Orkney Project. Orri Tomasson reads the Old Norse, and David Baker reads the translations of the following poems:
1. Earl Rögnvaldr Kali Kolsson, a Lausavísur from Orkneyinga saga, ch 58 in which he…
1. Earl Rögnvaldr Kali Kolsson, a Lausavísur from Orkneyinga saga, ch 58 in which he…
Poster advertising the Orkney Viking Heritage Project
A poster created by ECRs on the Orkney Viking Heritage Project. Designed and produced by Annelies Stern.