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York before the Vikings came...and its famous son, Alcuin

Posted on 31 May 2001

York is often associated historically with the Vikings, but before the Vikings arrived York was a prominent international centre with trade links across Europe and a religious and intellectual culture second to none.

It is this golden age, exemplified by the eminent scholar and teacher Alcuin, which is celebrated in a series of public lectures organised by the University of York, and by an Exhibition at the Yorkshire Museum.

Alcuin was born around 740 AD. His family owned land near Spurn Point and he was educated from an early age at the Cathedral School in York, one of the most distinguished centres of learning of its day in Europe (direct descendants of this school are St Peter's School and the Minster School). Alcuin went on to become head of the school and became not only a major figure in York but on the Continent as well. He was 'head-hunted' by Charlemagne, King of the Franks and later Holy Roman Emperor, and lived the rest of his life on the Continent in Francia. He became a close adviser to the Emperor but maintained regular and warm contact with his friends in York, writing a poem in praise of his native city.

The University's public lecture series focuses on the Alcuin and Charlemagne Exhibition currently taking place at the Yorkshire Museum. The Exhibition contains unique and fascinating objects from York, its environs and the Continent, placing Alcuin in his York and Northumbrian context as well as reaching out to his Continental connections.

Exhibits include coins, gold and silver jewellery, metalwork and sculpture illustrating daily life in York, and illuminated manuscripts from York and Tours, where Alcuin became abbot. Amongst the rare and precious objects assembled are a ninth-century manuscript of Alcuin's letters, the Coppergate helmet, a magnificent carved rock crystal from the imperial workshops, and most splendid of all, a Byzantine silk used to wrap Charlemagne's body in his tomb.

The lecture series, aimed at the general public, is intended to accompany the Exhibition. In the four lectures, leading medieval scholars hope to reveal some of the objects' secrets and to bring to life the figure of Alcuin and his associates.