29
June 2027

The Ship Burial at Sutton Hoo

Welcome to The Arts Society Wensleydale
Tuesday, June 29, 2027 - 12:00
Tennants Garden Rooms
Harmby Road Leyburn DL8 5SG
Online Event

Imogen Corrigan explores the 7th-century Sutton Hoo ship burial, using Anglo-Saxon poetry and treasures to reveal the wealth, power, and global reach

"The Significance of the Ship-Burial at Sutton Hoo" is a popular illustrated lecture delivered by Imogen Corrigan, an expert in Anglo-Saxon and medieval history. The presentation explores the extraordinary 7th-century treasure hoard discovered in Suffolk, examining what it reveals about the wealth, international connections, and social status of early medieval England.

The Core Themes: Imogen uses a combination of Old English poetry and high-quality images of the excavated treasures to discuss the concepts of kingship, status, and power in Anglo-Saxon England.

The Identity Mystery: The lecture addresses the fact that while archaeologists cannot definitively prove who was laid to rest in the mound, the leading historical theory points to King Rædwald of East Anglia.

Cultural Context: The talk highlights how the rich artifacts—including Byzantine silverware, intricate gold jewelry, and the iconic iron helmet—demonstrate that Anglo-Saxon society maintained extensive trade networks and complex interactions with other global cultures.

Imogen Corrigan
After serving nearly 20 years in the British Army, Imogen Corrigan transitioned to academia, studying Anglo-Saxon and Medieval History and Art at the University of Kent, where she graduated with first-class honours. She later earned an MPhil from the University of Birmingham. Today, she works as a freelance lecturer and study tour leader across Britain and Europe, and she is recognized as a Freeman of the City of London. Her lectures are frequently hosted by heritage organizations, regional history groups, and chapters of The Arts Society.