315 – The Cracks in the Foundation

This podcast explores the negative perception of King Athelred the Unready by Victorian historians and its impact on our understanding of his reign. It challenges the Victorian argument that he was solely responsible for Viking attacks and examines the practice of paying dangales. The podcast also discusses the time of Wollstann of York and Ilfreck of Einschim, two influential writers of the age, and explores the history of Viking strikes in England. It delves into the historical background of Normandy and Duke Richard's reign, highlighting his conflicts, victories, and alliances.