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2026 Festival

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Eoforwic: Anglian-era York

Find out the extraordinary experimental Sutton Hoo ship, Early Medieval Northumbria (AD 367-867), and enjoy puzzles and Anglo-Saxon poetry and prose in the pub.

The Experimental Sutton Hoo Ship


Tempest Anderson Hall, Museum Gardens

In 1939, Sutton Hoo revealed a ghostly 27m ship imprint in the sand. Martin Carver, Director of Research at Sutton Hoo, explores the reconstruction of this 7th-century vessel and planned trials to put it back on the water.

Beer and Beowulf


The Black Swan Inn, Peasholme Green

A retinue of reciters perform a selection of Anglo-Saxon and Norse poetry and prose, both in translation and in the original. Come and join us in the beorsele or beer-hall of the Black Swan.

Illumino Part Two: A History of Medieval Britain in twelve illuminated manuscripts


Merchant Adventurers' Hall, Fossgate

Take a journey across time and space and explore the history of medieval Britain through the biographies of illuminated manuscripts and their creators with author Michelle P Brown.

Northumbria AD 367-867


Merchant Adventurers' Hall, Fossgate

Join archaeologist Colm O'Brien as he explores themes of landscape, power, creativity and intellect in Early Medieval Northumbria – the age of Lindisfarne and Bede.

Puzzles in the Pub


The Black Swan Inn, Peasholme Green

Join us for an informal session in the ancient and medieval arithmetical gymnasium.

The Book of Kells: Unlocking the enigma


Historian Victoria Whitworth presents a new account of one of the most famous and mysterious manuscripts in the world, The Book of Kells.