Viking Leicestershire by Peter Liddle
Peter Liddle, archaeologist, will give a talk on ‘Viking Leicestershire’ at the Hoby and District Local History Society on Wednesday 21st September, 7.30pm, Hoby Village Hall (LE14 3DT). All are welcome; the price for non members is £2.00 (pay on door) or visit www.hobyanddistricthistory
We are familiar with Viking raids but in 865AD the Great Army invaded England and for over 40 years Leicestershire was ruled by the Danes.
By the study of place-names, it appears that they settled along the river terraces that flank the narrow valley of the Wreake. Along that river we find Frisby, Hoby, Rotherby, Brooksby and Rearsby. The word ‘Wreake’ is also derived from Scandinavia, being the Old Norse word for ‘twisted’.
The archaeology is now reflecting the impact of the Vikings which permeates the whole late Saxon period.
Peter has worked in Leicestershire Archaeology for over 40 years as an excavator, survey officer, museum curator, community archaeologist and head of the County’s archaeological team. He was awarded an MBE for services to community archaeology and is an Honorary Visiting Fellow at the School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester.
The Hoby and District Local History Society is a voluntary organisation.
The Society brings together people from all walks of life who are interested in the local history of the Leicestershire villages of Hoby, Rotherby, Ragdale and Brooksby and the District around them.
The society was founded in 2013 as part of a village First World War research project for which it received a National Lottery Grant.