Now be honest… how much Scandinavian history do you know from after the Viking Age? Did you know, for example, that Denmark used to own Norway… until Sweden did? Ever heard of the Kalmar Union or the House of Vasa? Some of these things are possibly at least a little familiar, but on this course we’ll put them into context along with many more.
Yes – this is the history of Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland from the establishment of Christianity (quite the moveable feast!) until the twentieth century. There will be battles, massacres, and revolts a-plenty, but there will also be the most sublime art, music, and culture. This is after all, the world of Thorvaldson and Krøyer, Grieg and Sibelius, Ibsen and Strindberg. And yes – Munch will arrive at some point to scream at us!
But let’s not forget the land itself. This will also be a geographical tour – south to north, of a sparsely-populated landscape, which has always punched above its weight. Skål!!
No preparation or reading is required.
No exams, no homework - just entertaining, informative, and accessible learning for pleasure.
You can join us 'live' via Zoom and/or watch recordings of the lectures on demand.
