Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age

Eleanor Barraclough brings the Viking Age to life in surprising and imaginative ways, unearthing stories rarely told in traditional histories. Her research spans archaeology, sagas, folklore, and material culture, revealing a world richer and stranger than its popular image. Barraclough writes with enthusiasm and narrative flair, making ancient history feel vivid and approachable. She highlights overlooked voices — women, travellers, enslaved people, and artists — to complicate long-held assumptions about Viking society. The result is a book full of discovery, nuance, and intellectual delight.