*First recorded and premiered on YouTube in April 2023.

In this episode we will be discussing the Real Lives of three often over-looked historical figures, which have recently been revived on the small screen in Netflix's Vikings: Valhalla series, which Season 2 debuted in January. We will be talking about historical events and other historical figures/characters and comparing developments between Season 1 and Season 2 so there WILL BE SPOILERS - BUT - the True History is 100% more dramatic and exciting than what Netflix has written.

We will be initially focusing on Emma of Normandy - who was crowned Queen of England twice and was also Mother to 2 different future Kings of England. Godwin, Earl of Wessex - the often forgotten about father of the future Harold Godwinson and Harald Sigurdsson, otherwise known as Hardrada, but led quite a remarkable life BEFORE he became King of Norway and the fateful year of 1066. And this is the main goal of this discussion, to inform and enlighten history fans and fans of the series what truth there is in the complex and tangled tale of the script.

Joining me to explore and discover the 11th century where a lot of the drama is set - are three truly exceptionally knowledgeable people who really should have been consulted when writing the script:

Patricia Bracewell - historical fiction author of a trilogy about Emma of Normandy and her years married to Aethelread the Unready whilst Swein Forkbeard and Canute invaded England. Her trilogy begins with "Shadow on the Crown". - http://www.patriciabracewell.com/

Justin Hill - historical novelist having written Sunday Times Bestseller "Viking Fire" novel about Harald Hardrada's lifelong adventures. As well as "Shieldwall" a historical novel following Godwin's life as he survived the political and military turmoil of England during the invasion of Swein Forkbeard and Canute's eventual rise to claim the Throne. - https://www.justinhillauthor.com/

Sharon Bennett Connolly - popular historian who has spent years researching and writing books about many forgotten women of history including Queen Emma among others. Her book "The Silk and the Sword - Forgotten Women of 1066" is a recommended read. - https://historytheinterestingbits.com ...