Literary Lunch with Past Sheriff Adrian Waddingham - 23 March 2026

Please book via Dave Rosewell (email - dave.rosewell@icloud.com) 

Past Sheriff Adrian Waddingham will be interviewed about his new book, 'First Kings: Forged by Vikings in England and Norway'. 

Viking armies first overwintered in England in 850, opening a century of conflict. In Norway, Harald Fairhair rose from a regional chieftain to become its first king, while in England Alfred the Great preserved Wessex from conquest. His successors extended that vision, with Alfred's grandson Athelstan becoming the first king of a single English kingdom in 927.

Meanwhile, the struggle for Norway’s throne erupted among Harald’s heirs, with his favoured son Eric Bloodaxe briefly claiming the Crown before being overthrown in 934 by his younger brother, Håkon, who had been fostered in England at Athelstan’s court. Upon fleeing to Britain, Eric was allowed the York throne by Edred, England's third king. After his violent death in 954, there would be no more kings in York.

Adrian will be interviewed by Livery Committee Chairman Chris Roycroft- Davis 

Attendee cost £35.00 / Cost of books £23.00