Medieval Lecture Series continues with a presentation on the Ghost Ships of Oslo

University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) professor Stephen Law will be in Norman for a free lecture on the Ghost Ships of Oslo on Friday. The lecture, a part of the Medieval Lecture Series, is hosted by the Norman Public Library and is set to begin at 6:30 PM. The Medieval Lecture Series is a program that promotes the Medieval Fair of Norman and provides learning opportunities to the public. The Medieval Fair of Norman runs from April 5 to April 7. The Ghost Ships of Oslo are just a few of the hundreds of Viking burial ships. Dr. Law had the chance to visit these ships at their museum in Norway in June 2012.

The Medieval Lecture Series covers a new topic each week. Previous weeks have been about old manuscripts, musical instruments and dancing. The lecture topics do not relate specifically to the Medieval Fair, but they are a good opportunity for people to come and learn for free about topics that interest them. The series is also a good way for professionals from colleges across Oklahoma to come and share their knowledge of all things Medieval.

The Medieval Fair of Norman is the first renaissance fair in Oklahoma and is among the few medieval fairs that are free in the United States. The fair first began in 1977 and has been held annually since then. The Medieval Lecture Series began five years ago and Ann Eckart is happy about the outcome.

“I enjoy seeing the interest and love of learning sparked in others and I love being able to go to free lectures about things I'm interested in,” Eckart said.

Friday’s lecture about the Ghost Ships of Oslo will deal with Viking history and their burial rituals. Vikings practice this tradition of burial at sea because they feel it is “the passage to the land of the dead.” This practice was used for many Viking people, not just high-class individuals, with smaller boats being used for lesser individuals. The Ghost Ships of Oslo are believed to have held  Queen Asa Haraldsdottir of Norway and a servant from the Black Sea region. Dr. Law teaches several medieval subjects at UCO and has a passion for Viking history.

“Needless to say, having done it for so long, I enjoy sharing information about the Middle Ages with the general public,” Law said.

 
The presentation will begin at 6:30 and be held at the Norman Public Library, 225 N. Webster. For more information on the Medieval Lecture Series or the Medieval Fair of Norman visit http://www.medievalfair.org or contact Ann Eckart, Medieval Fair Coordinator at ameckart@ou.edu or call (405) 325-8610.