Cnut the Great talk at the Priest’s House Museum & Garden in Wimborne

Cnut the Great: King, Emperor, Viking, Christian - A Dorset Perspective is on Thursday December 8 at 7.30pm.

W.B. Bartlett, author of ‘King Cnut & the Viking Conquest of England 1016’, explores the significance of Cnut’s life and his impact on Dorset and the surrounding region.

In 1016 Cnut became the undisputed king of England. A few years later he added Denmark and (briefly) Norway to his territories, giving him a claim to be regarded as the ‘Emperor of the North’.

He was a man of true presence, a statesman on the European stage who would probably regard his official visit to Rome in 1027 as one of the highlights of his eventful reign.

He was a true Viking in many ways but also a staunch defender of Christianity, showing how rapidly his world was changing. He also had a powerful and impressive wife, Emma of Normandy, who was one of the great figures of the period in her own right.

Within this general context, Wessex in general and Dorset in particular played an important part. This talk will consider the significance of Cnut’s life by considering the greatness of his many achievements whilst bringing it closer to home by considering its impact locally in Dorset and the surrounding region.

Tickets for the talk cost £6 and are available from Wimborne Tourist Information Centre or on 01202 886116. Booking is essential.

For more information contact the museum on 01202 882533 or visit www.priest-house.co.uk.

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