11-07-2025
York exhibition tells story of Viking Age in the North
An exhibition showcasing a collection of rare objects from the Viking Age has opened in York. Viking North, at the Yorkshire Museum, tells the story of the arrival of the Vikings in the North of England and their impact on local on display, some of which have never been seen by the public, include silver coins, jewellery and the best-preserved helmet from Early Medieval England. The exhibition is due to run until 2027, alongside a programme of events.
Dr Adam Parker, curator of archaeology at York Museums Trust, said the display was made up of some of the museum's old collections and new objects they had not yet shown. Artefacts are also on loan from various other museums, to bring the collection together for the first time.
Also included in the exhibition are items from the Bedale Hoard and the Vale of York Viking Hoard, which include a number of pieces of gold and silverware."People had jewellery and then cut it up to use in silver bullion to buy stuff," Dr Parker explained."It's been melted down into silver ingots and then turned back into jewellery as well, there's an interesting kind of recycling and a circular economy to it."
There are also finds from the Aldwark Winter Camp, where the Viking Great Army arrived in 866. "A story that we don't tell very often is that every winter they stopped, they set up camp and had a mini festival," Dr Parker said."They all grouped together and looked after themselves, repaired their boats and their weapons and got bored and played games. "They did drinking, cooking and hunting, and there's some of that material on display here for the first time."He said there was "something for everyone" at the exhibition, with entry included with the normal Yorkshire Museum ticket price. "The exhibition is going to be on display for two years here, so there's plenty of time for everybody to be able to enjoy it," he added.
Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
