Meet Bjarni, the Science Viking

Meet Bjarni, the Science Viking

From Valhalla Conversations by Becky Hill

December 4, 2025 · 1h 44m · Season 1 · Episode 22

About this episode

Becky Hill interviews Terry, also known as Bjarni the Science Viking, about his unique career combining science and Viking history.

Joining me in the great mead hall of the gods is Terry, otherwise known as Bjarni the Cabbage Killer. Why? Because part of his day job is slaying cabbages with sword, axe and spear. Why? Because for many decades he was a science teacher BEFORE becoming a viking-age re-enactor. And then when he retired from formal education he discovered a way of combining his love of science and alchemy with the historical side of his life. And thus Bjarni the Science Viking was created to visit schools, participte in historical festivals, science shows and more! Take a seat and listen and learn from the many stories and anecdotes and history lessons Terry has to share from his remarkable and unique career. From medieval medicine, alchemy of making ink for writing on parchment and making paints to illuminate manuscripts, through to the evidence of physics in weapon use. We discuss the only Viking Age longhouse in Cumbria, the Moorforge Settlement, and the very recent discovery of a longhouse 5x it's size from the 10th century in Cumbria itself! The largest ever to be identified in the UK! https://www.scienceviking.com/ https://www.facebook.com/TheScienceViking

People in this episode

Host: Becky Hill

Guest: Terry

Topics covered

  • science education
  • Viking history
  • alchemy
  • historical re-enactment
  • medieval medicine
  • physics in weapon use

Keywords

  • science Viking
  • Viking Age
  • historical festivals
  • alchemy
  • medieval medicine
  • longhouse discovery
  • Cumbria

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Science Viking, Facebook

Places: Cumbria, Moorforge Settlement

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