Leach Library to Host “Vikings: Dragons of the Sea” Program

On Thursday September 13 at 7:00 p.m. the Leach Library will host the program “Vikings: Dragons of the Sea”. This presentation, given by Dr. Jonathan Couser, will take us on a roving journey through the history and legends surrounding Vikings.

Jonathan Couser is a professor of History at the University of New Hampshire. His research fields of interests include early medieval religious and cultural history, inter-cultural religious contact, and Christianization. Dr. Couser has taught courses in medieval history at Southern New Hampshire University, University of Notre Dame, and St. Mary’s College. He is known as “The Medieval Guy” and has hosted many programs for public and school libraries.

For over 250 years, roving bands of Scandinavian sailors sailed the northern seas. Sometimes they came with fire and sword, raiding and plundering as they went; other times they came as traders, explorers, and settlers. In this program Dr. Couser will examine who the Vikings were, why they took to the sea in their narrow wooden boats, and how they changed the course of history with their adventures. He will also share with us a favorite Norse legend, “The Tale of Sigurd the Dragon-Slayer.”

This event is free and open to the public. It will take place in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.