Tuesday 28 April - 6:30pm - St Olave Lecture - First Kings : Forged by Vikings in England and Norway

for 1 hour, 30 mins
St Olave Hart Street
8 Hart Street City of London, EC3R 7NB, United Kingdom

Adrian Waddingham CBE explores the turbulent years of 850 to 954, when the first kings of England and Norway emerged.

Compline by Candlelight at St Olave Hart Street (5.30pm-5.50pm) - free to attend - followed by St Olave Lecture (6.00pm-7.15pm) : First Kings : Forged by Vikings in England and Norway by Adrian Waddingham CBE. Tickets £5 which includes a glass of wine.

Please join us for Compline by Candlelight followed by this special St Olave Lecture in conjunction with the Ward of Cheap Club, exploring the exploring the turbulent years of 850 to 954, when amidst shifting allegiances and warfare the first kings of England and Norway emerged.

Adrian Waddingham CBE speaks about his new book 'First Kings' published this year by The History Press:

"Forget 1066 – the making of England began centuries earlier.

After decades of devastating raids, Viking armies first overwintered in England in 850. In doing so, they opened a century of conflict and reaching ambition. In Norway, Harald Fairhair rose from a regional chieftain to become its first king, while in England Alfred the Great preserved Wessex from conquest and laid the foundations for unity. His successors extended that vision, leading to the creation of a single English kingdom after the meeting of kings at Eamont Bridge in 927. Meanwhile, the struggle for Norway’s throne erupted among Harald’s heirs, with Eric Bloodaxe briefly claiming the Crown before being overthrown by his younger brother, Håkon. Upon fleeing to Britain, Eric was allowed the York throne by King Edred. After his violent death in 954, there would be no more kings in York.

This turbulent century saw kings rise and fall; it saw rivalry, betrayal and open conflict. Out of the chaos of shifting allegiances and warfare, England and Norway began to take shape as the forebears of the countries we know today.

In First Kings, join R.A.J. Waddingham on an action-packed, page-turning adventure through the age of the Vikings."

More info

St Olave Hart Street

St Olave Hart Street. Founded in 1050 and dedicated to a Viking warrior who became King and then Patron Saintof Norway. The first healing miracle here associated with Olaf is recorded in the twelfth century.

A Great Fire survivor & miraculously restored after the blitz, the story of this church is entwined with London’s mercantile and maritime past. Some jest that the whole world has passed through this tiny parish. Samuel Pepys, buried beneath the altar, called it his “own church”; the poet John Betjeman described it as, “a country church in the world of Seething Lane.” City and countryside. Warrior and healer. Like our own lives, the story of this place is layered rather than clear cut. A place where apparent opposites are held in holy tension.

Our unusual east window shows both Christ in his passion - suffering on the cross – and an image of Christ in glory, the cross shining brightly behind. An artistic representation of the seemingly polar opposite at the heart of our faith. That the death of Christ on the cross has, through his resurrection, brought the promise of new life for us and for the whole world.That is the Good News we proclaim here each day. Not easy answers, but a living hope — which is offered freely by Christ to all who turn to Him.  


Safeguarding statement: The parish of St Olave Hart Street is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of London’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.

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Tuesday 28 April - 6:30pm - St Olave Lecture - First Kings : Forged by Vikings in England and Norway

for 1 hour, 30 mins
St Olave Hart Street
8 Hart Street City of London, EC3R 7NB, United Kingdom

Adrian Waddingham CBE explores the turbulent years of 850 to 954, when the first kings of England and Norway emerged.

Compline by Candlelight at St Olave Hart Street (5.30pm-5.50pm) - free to attend - followed by St Olave Lecture (6.00pm-7.15pm) : First Kings : Forged by Vikings in England and Norway by Adrian Waddingham CBE. Tickets £5 which includes a glass of wine.

Please join us for Compline by Candlelight followed by this special St Olave Lecture in conjunction with the Ward of Cheap Club, exploring the exploring the turbulent years of 850 to 954, when amidst shifting allegiances and warfare the first kings of England and Norway emerged.

Adrian Waddingham CBE speaks about his new book 'First Kings' published this year by The History Press:

"Forget 1066 – the making of England began centuries earlier.

After decades of devastating raids, Viking armies first overwintered in England in 850. In doing so, they opened a century of conflict and reaching ambition. In Norway, Harald Fairhair rose from a regional chieftain to become its first king, while in England Alfred the Great preserved Wessex from conquest and laid the foundations for unity. His successors extended that vision, leading to the creation of a single English kingdom after the meeting of kings at Eamont Bridge in 927. Meanwhile, the struggle for Norway’s throne erupted among Harald’s heirs, with Eric Bloodaxe briefly claiming the Crown before being overthrown by his younger brother, Håkon. Upon fleeing to Britain, Eric was allowed the York throne by King Edred. After his violent death in 954, there would be no more kings in York.

This turbulent century saw kings rise and fall; it saw rivalry, betrayal and open conflict. Out of the chaos of shifting allegiances and warfare, England and Norway began to take shape as the forebears of the countries we know today.

In First Kings, join R.A.J. Waddingham on an action-packed, page-turning adventure through the age of the Vikings."

More info
St Olave Hart Street Charity No. 1130893