The Rus: the other Vikings – the ones who went east
The Rus: the other Vikings – the ones who went east
Lecturer: Imogen Corrigan
Better known as the Vikings who gave their name to Russia, and mainly originating from Sweden, the Rus expanded eastwards, tearing their hot talons through the lands that stretch from the northern coast down to Novgorod and Kyiv and with their insatiable eyes always on the ultimate trading prize: Constantinople.
The story of the Rus is even more dramatic and savage than that of their Scandinavian cousins who caused mayhem in the British Isles with their bizarre funeral rites, immense courage in battle and travel, but utter disregard for human life. That said, they were loved by their women who put up poignant memorials to them, and it was through them that Christianity found its way to Russia. It was also through them that the icon as an art form travelled from Constantinople to Novgorod. In the two centuries of their rampaging through eastern Europe, a few characters stand out, not least for their inventiveness and sense of humour.
After nearly 20 years in the British army, Imogen Corrigan went to the University of Kent to study Anglo-Saxon & Medieval History and Art, graduating with 1st class honours, followed by an MPhil from the University of Birmingham.
Imogen now works as a freelance lecturer across Britain and Europe as well as lecturing on small cruise ships and running study tours and courses on land. She is the author of Stone on Stone: the Men Who Built the Cathedrals, published in 2019. Imogen is also a Freeman of the City of London, being a Member of the Company of Communicators.