EUROPE’S largest Viking Festival returns to York next February telling the stories of Viking women through the voices of seers, queens and shield maidens.

The popular Jorvik Viking Festival will run in the city from February 20 to 27 February in what will be its 35th year.

Characters starring in the event will include the seeress Thorbjorgr litilvolva, the colourfully-named Sigrid the Haughty and Aud the Deep Minded.

The tale of Gunnhild Konungamodir will also feature.

She was the wife of the last Viking King in York, Eric Bloodaxe, and Gunnhild manoeuvred her sons to positions of power in Scandinavia after Eric’s death.

Their stories will be presented at Freya’s Banquet on February 22, and re-enacted by a cast of warriors and shield maidens on the evening of February 23 at the Eye of York.

Sarah Maltby, director of attractions for York Archaeological Trust which organises the festival, said: “For the last 35-years, the themes of Jorvik Viking Festival have enabled us to tell stories that encompass many different aspects of Viking history, from myths and legends to kings and warriors, and though women have taken key roles in many of the stories, this is the first time we’ve told all of the stories from a female perspective.

“We have some superb source material in the sagas, which enable us to tell stories of exploration, settlement, conquest, magic and nobility from the perspective of powerful women.”

Visitors will also enjoy a larger encampment this year in Parliament Street, and the main stage which hosts presentations and displays throughout the week will be in St Sampson’s Square to accommodate the growing crowds who come to watch the Best Beard and Strongest Viking Competitions on February 23.

Crowds are also expected to line the city streets on the afternoon of February 23 for the parade of hundreds of warriors from York Minster to Coppergate, home of Jorvik Viking Centre.

Last year’s festival attracted more than 63,000 visitors and 2019’s eight-day extravaganza is set to be just as popular and will run from a Wednesday to Wednesday to accommodate school half terms nationally.

Marketing manager, Beth Dawes, said: “Traditionally, Jorvik Viking Festival has built up towards a finale weekend based on our local half term dates, but with an audience coming from across the country, we wanted to be sure that families can enjoy the many displays and events around the city during the week as well as the busy weekend. “Depending on when visitors arrive, our parade and night-time son-et-lumière spectacular can be either the perfect start to a Viking visit, or a fantastic way to end a half-term break.”

As usual, the entertaining public events will run alongside academic talks and presentations highlighting York’s pre-eminent role in the understanding of Viking culture.

Guest speakers include Dr Judith Jesch, professor of Viking Studies at the University of Nottingham, who is one of the world’s top experts on women in the Viking age.