Some of the world’s most important artefacts charting the history of the Vikings and their presence in Britain are on display in a new Nottingham exhibition.
Viking: Rediscover the Legend has transformed the Djanogly Gallery at Lakeside Arts into a collection of ancient treasure, weaponry and intricate everyday items from across Britain.
The Anglo-Saxon and Viking artefacts from the British Museum and Yorkshire Museum Trust provide a fresh perspective on how their influence transformed and shaped our culture.
Among the collection is the York Helmet, a perfectly preserved piece of Anglo Saxon armour discovered in York in 1982. Dating back to around 750-775AD, it is considered the most outstanding object of the period ever discovered.
A Viking sword found in a stream is also on display, plus numerous stunning hoards of Viking treasure containing coins and jewellery.
But everyday objects showing another side to their famously war-like reputation are also in the collection.
Perfectly preserved hair combs show how appearance was important, and ice skates made from bone demonstrate ingenuity.
The exhibition at the Djanogly Gallery runs until Sunday, March 4 2018. Admission is free.
A second exhibition Danelaw Saga: Bringing Vikings Back to the East Midlands, will open at the Weston Gallery, Lakeside Arts on December 15.
This will tell the tale of how the Vikings shaped the East Midlands with artefacts, maps and medieval documents, complementing Viking: Rediscover the Legend.
Visitors can map the routes of Viking expeditions, view coins brought from the Middle East to the East Midlands, learn about places whose names evoke our Viking past.
They can also explore their heritage further with artefacts and jewellery worn by the Viking women that settled here.
