THE SORCERER Gunnhild

Black and white etching portrait of Gunnhild as an old woman sitting on a rock wearing a high-waisted black dress and a long white cape.Long ago, in the far north of Lapland, a young woman learned the secrets of sorcery from two warlocks. At least that’s what the Icelandic sagas say. The woman would become Gunnhild, infamous Viking sorcerer whose dark magic served her lifelong pursuit of vengeance and power. Viking burials have been found that contain all the trappings of magic, so we know that the Vikings believed her immense power was real. But Gunnhild never got her own saga: she only appears in supporting roles, in sagas about men. What can we extract from the sagas about Gunnhild’s life, and was she really evil?

Katie is on location at the Jorvik Viking Center in York, England, with guest Dr. Chris Tuckley.

Want more Vikings? Visit the Jorvik Viking Festival in February 2020! More information here.




Chris Tuckley received his PhD at the Institute for Medieval Studies, University of Leeds, in 2009. He has worked for York Archaeological Trust since 2004, and is currently YAT’s Head of Interpretation and Engagement, based at the JORVIK Viking Centre.


Music featured in this episode included


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