Whilst our Cornish Story Cafés do often sell out, we do still have tickets available on the door for tonight’s talk if you would like to come along.

Date: Tuesday 23^rd September
Time: 6.30pm – 7.30pm (Doors open from 6pm)
Location: Saltash Guildhall, Fore St, Saltash PL12 6JQ – What3Words:///baths.haggling.skewing  

Price: Pay as you feel (£1, £5 or £10)

Join us at Saltash Guildhall for a special talk by historian and author, John Fletcher, on the relationship between 9^th Century Cornwall and the Vikings.

At the start of the 9th Century, the Kingdom of Kernow, which had been under increasing pressure from the westward expansion of Anglo-Saxon Wessex, found itself with new allies from an unexpected corner. Viking longships, sailing from newly established bases around the Irish Sea, brought new settlers, new opportunities for trade, and much-needed military support. In 838 AD, a combined force of Vikings and Cornishmen faced Egbert of Wessex at a place known as Hingston Down, the first recorded example of a Viking force allying with a local British power.  

In this talk, John will discuss this battle in detail – why the location often cited might be incorrect, how its aftermath potentially shaped the modern border between Devon and Cornwall, and the evidence we have for an ongoing and long-lived Scandinavian presence in Cornwall during the Early Medieval period.

John has a specific interest in the period between the 5th and 11th Centuries in Cornwall and Devon. His first book, The Western Kingdom: The Birth of Cornwall was published in 2023. He has been an Early Medieval reenactor for nearly 20 years, with much of that time being focused on recreating life in 8^th­­–11^th century Cornwall and Devon.

The talk is pay as you feel with tickets priced at £1, £5 or £10. Tea, coffee and saffron buns will be served.

Numbers are restricted and places are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Please be aware that John will not be attending the event in historic costume. 

Cornwall Heritage Trust is photographing and recording the event and may publish these photos and videos in a variety of media and online.

This event is in aid of Cornwall Heritage Trust.

Parking

Parking can be found at Alexandra Square Long Stay Car Park (approximately 2 minutes walk from the Guildhall) or Culver Road Car Park (approximately 4 minutes walk from the Guildhall). Parking is free after 4pm.

Whilst our Cornish Story Cafés do often sell out, we do still have tickets available on the door for tonight’s talk if you would like to come along.