December 12, 2012, by Lindsay Brooke

The Last Battle of the Vikings

After his BBC debut in ‘Pavlopetri – The City Beneath the Waves’ – underwater archaeologist Dr Jon Henderson returned to his roots this summer to present ‘The Last Battle of the Vikings’ for BBC Scotland. There are plans to make the programme available on BBC iPlayer for a network audience.

Dr Henderson’s research into the ancient submerged city of Pavlopetri gained international media interest and led to a ground-breaking one hour documentary featuring movie industry computer graphics and the very latest digital marine technology for BBC Two and Discovery Channel.

This Friday he’s in Scotland to examine how a few Viking war bands from the Norwegian fjords managed to establish the longest lasting Norse power base in the British Isles — and how that Viking influence reverberated through the centuries until the Battle of Largs in 1263.

Dr Henderson, who grew up close to Largs in West Kilbride, Ayrshire, said: “The Battle of Largs in 1263 was the last time Norse invaders fought on our soil — it was the final twist in a relationship that was centuries old. It may have marked the beginning of the end for Norse power in Scotland, but the Viking influence remained — part of a new nation, part of us.”

Scottish viewers can watch the programme this Friday at 9pm on BBC Two.

 

 

 

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