Wolverhampton Art Gallery preparing for Viking invasion!

Nine of history’s most formidable Vikings will arrive in the City of Wolverhampton next month – and they’re staying for the summer.

It will mark the launch of Wolverhampton Art Gallery’s ‘Viking Heroes’ exhibition – a touring exhibition from The JORVIK Group of Attractions, operators of the award-winning JORVIK Viking Centre in York.

From Saturday, May 12, visitors to the Lichfield Street gallery will get to discover more about real Viking heroes, including the likes of legendary Eric Bloodaxe, ruthless adventurer Harald Hardrada, warrior woman Lathgertha, brave explorer Leif the Lucky, fearsome warrior Sweyn Forkbeard, and the great leader, King Harald Bluetooth of Denmark.

Carol Thompson, Curator for Wolverhampton Art Gallery, said: “Wolverhampton has an amazing history to delve into, which involves a famous battle between the Vikings and Anglo-Saxons.

“Through the research and creativity of everyone working on this project, visitors can get a glimpse of how Wolverhampton was at the time of the Vikings, as well as enjoying the stunning family-friendly exhibition from JORVIK.”

Director of Attractions for York Archaeological Trust, the owners and operators of The JORVIK Group, Sarah Maltby, added: “The Heroes exhibition brings these Viking champions’ stories to life, drawing on historical and archaeological evidence to help explore the idea of heroism in the Viking age as well as looking at how these people were celebrated and commemorated in their time and ours.”

Visitors can explore how each of these Norse legends was celebrated in their time and throughout history and what the archaeological evidence can tell us about the real people behind the myth.

These stories are told through a series of display panels, replica objects and a real Viking Age human skeleton, aged around 18 to 25 years, that was discovered in York displaying the battle injuries of a Viking warrior.

In addition to the Heroes exhibition curators and employees at City of Wolverhampton Council have researched Anglo Saxons of Wolverhampton and created a digital emporium for visitors to see how Wolverhampton once was.

The display focuses on the Battle of Wodensfield that took place in 910 and was the scene of an important victory for a combined force of Mercian and Wessex troops under Ethelred, Earldorman of Mercia, and his wife Ethelfleda, over an army of Danes.

Which vikings can you see at the Viking Heroes exhibition?

Harald Bluetooth – King and Christian
Cnut the Great – a strong and effective king
Eric Bloodaxe, a legendary campaigner
Harald Hardrada – a ruthless adventurer
Aud the Deep Minded – a resourceful woman
Lathgertha – a warrior woman
Leif the Lucky – a brave explorer
King Orry of Man (Godred Crovan) – a legendary ruler
Sweyn Forkbeard – a fearsome warrior

The Viking Heroes exhibition will run until Sunday, July 8. Admission is £4 adults, £2 children and £3 concessions. Tickets can be bought in advance by visiting www.ticketmaster.co.uk/WAG or on the day of visiting.

Wolverhampton Art Gallery is open Monday to Saturday (10.30am–4.30pm) and Sunday (11am–4pm). Discover more at www.wolverhamptonarts.gov.uk.