Telling the Stories Brochure

Imperial War Museum Duxford. Photo: Visit Britain / Britain on View
England’s Dark Ages
From Cultural Climax to Conquest - Anglo-Saxon England up to 1066
Highlights
TOUR
21
Known as ‘The Dark Ages’, there are five
centuries in England’s history that very
• Discover the most exceptional
cultural and physical treasures
few explore. Yet, from the 6th to the 11th
of the Saxon era with medieval expert century this country was a creative hub,
Dr Janina Ramirez, including the
producing some of the best minds,
Sutton Hoo treasures, England‘s
art and literature in the Western World.
Tutankhamun’s tomb.
With that most seminal of dates – 1066 –
• Explore both Saxon and Viking capital the Norman Conquest would rewrite
cities, and the battle sites of Hastings history and transform the nation.
and Stamford Bridge which saw the
end of the Saxon era in England at the On this journey which takes us from the
time of the Norman Conquest.
south to the north of England, we will
• Discover early Christian treasures from discover the vibrant world of the Anglothe
Lindisfarne Gospels to the earliest Saxons, and see for ourselves their exquisite
Saxon church in England and visit the craftsmanship and learning from Bede
Holy Island of Lindisfarne which was
and Beowulf, to the bloody fields of
home to St Cuthbert.
Hastings and Stamford Bridge. We will visit
the great libraries, cathedrals and castles
of England’s most historic cities,
and will also take time to visit simple
churches, remote priories and little known,
but incredibly significant locations.
You will see the first stained glass window,
Tour Type: Immersion the earliest English epic, and the finest
Entry and Departure Point: illuminated manuscript ever made.
London Heathrow Airport
Tour Director: Dr Janina Ramirez
Janina is a cultural historian, broadcaster and author based at the
University of Oxford with a passion for communicating ideas about the
past. Her research began with a degree in English literature at Oxford,
followed by an MA and PhD at the Centre for Medieval Studies in York on
the art, literature and culture of Anglo-Saxon England. She has presented
a number of acclaimed series for the BBC including ‘Treasures of the
Anglo-Saxons’, ‘The Viking Sagas’, ‘The Private Lives of Medieval Kings’
and the ‘Hundred Years’ War’.
16 / Telling the stories of England
Sutton Hoo Clasp. Photo: British Museum, Photo Dr. J. Ramirez
Outline Itinerary
Travel from London to Hastings
and explore the battlefield where
William the Conqueror defeated
Harold Godwinson.
Visit the British Museum, home to
the Sutton Hoo treasures, one of
the most spectacular discoveries
in British archaeology. Then to the
British Library, to see manuscripts
of Beowulf and the 8th century
Lindisfarne Gospels.
Travel to Tamworth, the ancient
capital of Anglo Saxon Mercia,
to see the Staffordshire Hoard,
the biggest collection of Anglo-
Saxon jewellery ever discovered.
Visit the spectacular 13th century
York Minster and the Cathedral
Library, including the famous
York Gospels.
Travel to Stamford Bridge, where
the first major battle of 1066 ended
in victory. Journey onto Jarrow,
visiting Bede’s monastery to see
the first stained glass window and
the oldest complete Anglo-Saxon
Church in England.
Explore Durham Cathedral, with
special access to manuscripts from
the Cathedral’s remarkable library.
Journey to the Holy Island of
Lindisfarne. A tranquil, beautiful
and remote place to end your tour
and stunning place to contemplate
the achievements of the Anglo-
Saxons.
& To book, Call toll free: 1 844 221 3366 or visit www.ukcountrysidetours.com