Our fabulous speakers, poster presenters and crew (minus Mary, Eric and my sainted mother Jo!)

The year has almost come to a close and 2026’s edition of my conference VALHAll:A (Viking Age Living History for All: Assembly) is fast approaching- the date is set for Thursday 19th February 2026. The programme will be published and ticket sales opened in mid January, so keep your eyes peeled on my social media.

To whet your appetite, the full videos of all the 2025 talks are now on YouTube. You can find them in a playlist here (please like them, comment any questions or queries and share to show the love!)

(It only seemed fair that I fell on my weaving sword and went first, so prepare yourselves for my dulcet Yorkshire tones.)

The running order was as follows:

  • Leah O’Cuinneagain-De Bernardi (myself) – “Hedeby Hygge: Domestic Textiles in the Viking Age Home”
  • Dr Mary Garrison – “Home and Away in the 8th Century: Home nostalgia and Homesickness in the World of Alcuin”
  • Adam Parsons – “Keeping Up with The Ragnarsons: The Archaeology of Early Medieval Homes in North West England in Context”
  • James Wright – “Finding Your Way Home: Theories on Viking Era Navigation”
  • Trix Randerson – “Home is where the Hack is: Contrasting Uses of Insular Metalwork in Britain and Scandinavia”

You can also watch all the 2024 talks if you fancy, they have their own playlist for your viewing convenience.

I’ve been quiet on my website in 2025, but hope to publish a lot more in 2026. I’ve got some BIG projects in the works; a few invitations to speak online and at events and of course, some articles to publish here, there and everywhere. You can hear me speak next at the inaugural Shieldmaidens: Women Warriors in Western Style online conference on Sunday 1st February, tickets are on sale here.

I hope you all had a lovely holiday season and I wish you all a peaceful and fulfilling New Year. See you online or at a market near you!

Grá, Leah xxx

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