To many the word Valhalla brings up images of Odin's great hall, a vast space full of the worthiest warriors who feast, drink and fight until Ragnarok. However, in reality it also represents a place for members of the Viking Age historical re-enactment, or living history society, to gather and share their research, theories and observations with eager and interested members of the public. This inclusive and accessible Symposium's acronym is indeed Valhall:A and it stands for "Viking Age Living History for All Assembly." And as this podcast is named Valhalla Conversations, it seems fitting and apt that for our sadly final episode, as my mini Viking invades my life and raids my body of sleep and energy, we sit down and chat with the Symposium's founder, Leah O'Chuinneagain. As someone who has benefited for many years from attending such open and publicly accessible spaces of shared learning, I strongly relate and support Leah's mission to ensure that the spectrum of Viking Age Living History isn't just for those who practice it - but for all of us who wish to know more. We're going to be talking about history, re-enactment, community, why the Viking Age captured her interest and her own expertise in historical textiles and natural dyes, but most significantly about why her Symposium is growing fast in popularity and interest as we approach its 4th year, into the new must-attend academic part of the fringe events of the annual Jorvik Viking Festival - a truly worthy successor to the much-missed Richard Hall Symposium.

When we think of Norse myths in books today, popular 20th century writers like Neil Gaiman and Kevin Crossley-Holland, Joanne Harris and Rick Riordan, Louie Stowell and many more, and even the colourful world of Marvel Comics immediately come to mind. They are the giants of modern retelling—but what if I told you there’s a forgotten foundation of Norse myth storytelling that predates them all? The names of these authors—all of them women—have completely vanished from the record.

Discover a group of women writers from the 19th century who were retelling the sagas and reimagining the North. Their books achieved massive popularity in their time—some are even considered classics - so why were they forgotten? Why are they still unrecognised by readers of the 21st century in an era when Norse Mythology is reaching new heights of fame in popular culture?

Today, we’re going on a literary journey to uncover these 'lost' storytellers. Joining me to piece together this historical puzzle and put these forgotten voices back on the map is Dr. Kevin Fylan.

When we think of Viking 'treasure,' we usually think of stolen gold and silver hoards. But what if the real treasures were the items people touched and used every single day?

Today, we’re joined by Dr. Tom Horne to go beyond the myths and explore a true 'Portrait of the Viking World.' We aren't just looking at wealth; we’re looking at the tools, the places, and the everyday objects that defined an entire era. From the North Atlantic to the heart of Scandinavia, this is your 'Treasure Seeker’s Guide' to the Viking Age.

Dr Tom Horne read Ancient and Modern History at Balliol College, Oxford, before working as a history researcher for the BBC. His introduction to archaeological excavations began when he volunteered for the Tiber Valley and Sangro Valley Projects in Italy, and he has gone on to dig and survey across Britain and in Ukraine.

Tom received an MLitt. in Medieval Archaeology and a Ph.D. in Viking trade networks from the University of Glasgow, and continues to write for academia, having authored a range of material, including his monograph, A Viking Market Kingdom in Ireland and Britain (Routledge).

He was also a co-editor of, and contributor to, The Viking Age in Scotland (EUP). Tom's most recent book is Treasures of the Vikings, published by Amber Books. Currently a writer for History Hit and an international tour guide alongside his academic career, Tom also works as a Museum Assistant at the Govan Stones museum in Glasgow, for which he also co-produces and edits the Govan Early Medieval Podcast and volunteers as a guide and Communications Manager.