[MR] Viking Brooches Found on Isle of Man

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends, Especially Vikings,

Yesterday's History Blog reported on a pair of Viking brooches found on the
Isle of Man. You've all seen these on TV, the large oval-shaped metal
thingies on Viking women's dresses. Also in the hoard was a belt buckle and
chape, and a glass bead.

The story says archeologists returned to the scene expecting to find a
grave, but there was no burial. Maybe somebody took off their clothes for a
swim or to make some woopie, and for some unknown reason never returned.

Man was at one time invaded and settled by Vikings. Later it belonged to
the Scots for a while. Today the island is a self-governing British Crown
Dependency, with Queen Elizabeth as head of state under the title "Lord of
Man" (represented by an appointed governor). It technically is NOT a part
of Great Britain. Ah, another quaint English peculiarity.

The pieces are now on display at the Manx Museum in Douglas:
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/62936 .

Yours Aye,


Lord Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆