Norsemen in Lakeland: The enduring Norse links in England's Lake District.
Captain Julian Blatchley SpeakerNet Sponsor
- Region:
- North West
- Notice Period:
- Regular (more than one month's notice)
- Type:
- Humorous presentations on Sailing, Professional Marine, modern Greek and Historical subjects
- Fee:
- Paid: Contact to discuss. I will reduce fee if allowed to sell my books at the event.
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 3rd April 2024
- Tagged:
- Lake District | Vikings | Dialect | Cumbria
A talk based upon a personal exploration of the Norse influences persisting in Cumbrian culture. Have you ever wondered why the place names of Cumbria are so different from the rest of Britain? Join Julian in a ramble through the folklore, toponymy and speech of Cumbria which shows a rich heritage, a dominant thread, and the survival of surprisingly ancient influences. During four decades of living and working abroad, the speaker retained his Cumbrian links by reading its history and folklore between frequent visits. He has finally come home to renew his relationship with Cumbria and raise his daughter, and talk about what his reading has uncovered. The talk lasts approximately one hour (or more if you wish... there's a lot to talk about!) and the speaker is happy to remain for questions or debate afterwards.
Views: 271 | Enquiries: 0About Captain Julian Blatchley
Julian is a professional seaman and latterly an author of humorous travelogues. Raised next to Windermere in the English Lake District, he has sailed recreationally for almost 5 decades, and as a professional seaman for 4. His career has included commanding and piloting supertankers, over a hundred and fifty thousand miles of ocean and offshore sailing, several years as a charter yacht skipper, oilfield management and a very short and alarming period fighting bush fires. He has lived in the Far East, Pacific Islands and, for 30 years, in the Greek Islands. In 2014 Julian moved back to England with his family, and is loving being home. Since March 2019, he has been manager and master of the National Trust's historic steam yacht 'Gondola' on beautiful Coniston Water
Julian has recorded his early experiences in Greece in two humorous travelogue novels, 'Adjacent To The Argonauts' (Troubador, 2010) and 'The Trojan Walrus' (Troubador, 2015). These books have, respectively, 4.8 and 5.0 star ratings on Amazon.
Julian has a fascination with history, and in particular with historical subjects that he feels have been misunderstood or misrepresented. He is a fan of Captain William Bligh, a deep sceptic about the evil portrayal of Richard III, an unhealthy interest in Lake District Norsemen, and a mitigating advocate for Field Marshall Earl Haig. Following on from these historical interests, he is shortly publishing his first novel, 'Ne'er Do Well', which is a humorous tale of a feckless young man's accidental involvement in the War of the French Revolution and the start of a trilogy.
Following on from talks given to expat groups when living abroad, Julian is now available to speak in the UK on subjects such as life at sea on large tankers, the life of a yacht charter skipper, Greek history, lifestyle and cuisine, the fact and fiction of famous shipwrecks, and Steam Yacht 'Gondola'.
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