On a dark November night in 2023, the legendary epic poem, Beowulf, came to life with music and theatre in a unique promenade performance by @ProperJobTheatre set in the West Yorkshire town of Huddersfield. Discover more about this special performance of which musician Howard Jacobs founded his viking band, Shield King/Skjöldr Konungr.

Intro track - Healfdane's Lament (Skjöldr Konungr, 2023)

Ending Track - Velkominn (Skjöldr Konungr, 2023)

https://www.howard-jacobs.co.uk/skjoldr-konungr

"Formed to accompany King Healfdene’s funeral procession through the streets of Huddersfield during Proper Job Theatre's 2023 production of Beowulf, Skjoldr Konungr were an instant hit finagling their way into the whole production’s live soundtrack. They’ll be back… don’t doubt it!"

Enter Valhalla to join our conversation with ⁨@MayaGLeonard⁩ on time-travelling doors, the magic of music, the balance of history and danger in children's fiction, why she modelled a 'bad guy' on a Manchester fooball player, and how Maya discovered a genuine mystery involving two Viking age golden horns discovered in Denmark... and so much more!

If you like Vikings, you are welcome in my Valhalla, and I hope you stay for the conversation.

Joining me on this episode is comic artist and writer, Kevin Wells, whom I discovered at Thought Bubble Comic Con in 2025. We will be taking a deep dive into his norse-inspired graphic novel, The Last Einherjar, exploring his inspiration, his creative process and sharing ideas on what makes Vikings and their mythology so popular and answering "What if Ragnarok didn't happen as intended?"

"Ragnarok has destroyed the Nine Realms

all that is left is Endirheim.

As a new darkness rises from the

north only one man can prevent the

terrors that await the survivors of Ragnarok.

That man is Ulf, THE LAST EINHERJAR."

https://www.kwizillustrator.com/

Joining me in this episode is Dr Roderick Dale, we will discuss his role in the former World Tree Project looking at observations of Viking representation in the modern world, and then dive deep into our misconceptions about Viking Berserkers.

You can buy his book 'The Myths and Raelities of the Viking Berserkr' from Routledge - https://www.routledge.com/The-Myths-a...

Joining me as our first guests into Valhalla for 2026, is historical fiction author and historian, ⁨@cjadrien⁩ - he also co-hosts the ⁨@vikingologypodcast⁩ too! Alongside his talented artist wife, Crystal Whithaus as we discuss and explore how they teamed up to create a very charming, entertaining and also engaging childrens book about Vikings as a people from a time long ago.

It is available to buy on demand from Amazon.

Book Blurb: “I’m a Viking!” is a history book about the Viking Age for kids. Join Leif, a chieftain’s son who wants nothing more than to grow up to be a Viking just like his dad. Follow Leif as he gives you a tour of his life—the things he must learn, the things he likes to do for fun, and much more. Conceived and written by author and historian C.J. Adrien and illustrated by the talented Crystal Whithaus, “I’m a Viking!” is an excellent primer for young minds interested in the past. Don’t be fooled—grown-ups may learn a thing or two, too."

We know them as the winged choosers of the slain and the fierce female warriors of Valhalla—but who are the Valkyries, really? Are they divine escorts, mortal women with supernatural gifts, or something else entirely? Or perhaps all of the above?

Today, we’re pulling back the veil on these enigmatic wish-maidens to explore how they evolved from the terrifying omens of Old Norse poetry into the complex heroines of modern fantasy. I’m joined by an incredible panel: authors KS Barton and Johanna Wittenberg, the co-hosts of Shieldmaiden: @WomenoftheNorseWorldPodcast podcast, and academic researcher from the @universityofleeds , Sif Brookes from the @valsif channel.

Together, we’re exploring and examining the sagas, the legends and twenty-first century conceptions in 'Valkyries: Beyond the Sagas and Legends'. Join us as we head straight to Valhalla, to find out what it truly means to 'choose the slain'.

Episode artwork designed by illustrator Katie Brompton

Intro and Ending Soundtrack, 'Into the Wyld' from Svilland TTRPG

- Shieldmaidens: Women of the Norse World is a monthly podcast that takes a deep dive into the lives of women in the Viking Age, exploring their roles, experiences, and contributions to Norse society. Hosted by fiction authors Johanna Wittenberg and K.S. Barton, each episode explores the fascinating stories of Norse women from historical accounts, sagas, and archaeology. From shieldmaidens and queens to farmers and priestesses, we’ll uncover the varied and complex roles that women played in Norse culture. -

- The Truth about the Valkyries with Sif Brookes, Episode of @nordicmythologypodcast - https://youtu.be/zZYiMOF7joM?si=AQ5gx0G8fpPSa0GY

- Johanna Wittenberg: https://johannawittenberg.com/

- K.S Barton: https://ksbarton.com/

- Sif Brookes: https://sifbrookes.com/

Books discussed in this episode:

'A Deal with Odin' by K.S Barton

'Valkrjur: Servant or Master?' by Sif Brookes

'The Valkyries: New & Ancient Norse Tales' from Flame Tree Press

Valkyrie: The Women of the Viking World by Dr Johanna Katrin Fridriksdottir

The Real Valkyrie: The hidden history of Viking Warrior Women by Nancy Marie Brown

The Viking Way: Magic and Mind in Late Iron Age Scandinavaia by Neil Price

The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson (Penguin Edition)

Joining me in Valhalla is returning guest, Joshua Gillingham from Little Hammer Games, as we discuss and officially launch his latest @kickstarter card game, Halls of Asgard! Join the Kickstarter by the link below:

"HALLS OF ASGARD is a semi-cooperative social strategy game for 3-6 players (25-45 min) with absolutely stunning hand-painted art by celebrated Norse mythology artist Helena Rosova. Clocking in on the lighter side, it’s a great starter for those new to board games with easy set up, a simple mechanic that can generate surprisingly intricate cooperative strategies, and guaranteed memorable times. The semi-cooperative aspect lends itself to a delightful tension between defeating Hela, goddess of the Norse underworld, and out-doing your fellow Asgardian gods.

Each player takes on the role of a god (Odin, Thor, Freya, Heimdal, Idun, or Loki) with two unique powers and one unique curse. Gazing down at the mortals passing through the life stages (Child/Warrior/Elder) on the Midgard board, they use their powers to claim heroes that join them in their hall in preparation for Ragnarok. Along the way, Hela claims mortals off the Midgard board and gains all those who die without honour or glory of old age. A unique clan mechanic and differing mortal values (0/1/2) adds an extra element of strategy as gods collect their heroes. If one of the gods can defeat Hela through the strength of their gathered warriors, the gods win; however, if Hela ends up with the highest strength score, all players lose as Ragnarok sets the nine realms aflame."

For our final podcast episode for 2025 I'm beyond thrilled to have invited not one but three of my favourite Viking Age historical fiction authors into Valhalla. Justin Hill, Giles Kristian and Theo Brun. So we can take a deep dive into their own connection and interest with viking history, what inspired them to write and so much more.