The John Batchelor Show

The final ending discussed is the slow demise of the Norsesettlement in Greenland, settled by Erik the Red around 985 AD. Herjolfsnes, one of the last settled places, provides poignant evidence from its graveyard. Due to permafrost, the coarse, mended woolen clothes (vaðmál) of the last generations, dating up to the early 15th century, were preserved. These garments reveal the increasing isolation and poverty of the inhabitants as climate conditions worsened. The ultimate mystery remains what happened to the very last people after the final burials. The final surviving reports from Greenland via Iceland are a 1407 witch burning (of a man seduced by witchcraft) and a 1408 wedding.

The segment explores different endpoints of the Viking Age. 1066 AD is often cited, but this is Anglocentric. That year saw Harald Hardrada, King of Norway (whose claim descended from Cnut's North Sea Empire), killed by Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Normans (Northmen) like William were culturally assimilated Vikings, meaning Vikings were effectively fighting Vikings. A later ending point is the 1263 AD Battle of Largs, a series of skirmishes between King Hákon of Norway and King Alexander III of Scotland over control of the Norse-inflected Western Isles. Hákon's subsequent death in Orkney led to Norwayrelinquishing the Isles to Scotland. 1893

Barraclough describes the lava cave Surtshellir in Iceland, named after the fire giant Surtr, where new archaeological evidence has been found. Deep within the cave, a man-made wall and a stone outline shaped like a boat were discovered. Inside the boat, offerings associated with fire and burning (ornaments, jasper, burnt bones) were left, suggesting efforts to placate the fire being dwelling further inside the lava field, possibly after the major volcanic eruption around 900 AD. After Iceland officially converted to Christianity around 1000 AD, a final offering—a metal cross—was left in the cave, marking the transition away from this pagan ritual.

The discussion focuses on Norse mythology, noting that main written sources, such as Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda, were recorded in 13th-century Iceland, post-conversion to Christianity, necessitating caution in interpretation. The creation story involves the eternal void (Ginnungagap) meeting the fire world (Muspelheim) and the ice world (Niflheim), from which the primordial ice giant Ymir formed. The end of the world is Ragnarök, where the fire giant Surtr destroys the world and Loki sails the ship Naglfar, made from the nails of dead people. Snorri Sturluson, a major figure in this era, was murdered in his own basement around the 13th century on the orders of the Norwegian king during a time of civil war in Iceland.

Barraclough interprets objects like reliquaries, initially used in Christian contexts to house relics. Norse raiders took these back to Norway, valuing the metal and jewels while often discarding the relics inside. These reliquaries were given as presents to women and passed down female generations, suggesting early raids were motivated by young men seeking wealth and status to attract wives and set up farmsteads. The conversation also covers pre-Christian belief systems, specifically a piece of human skull found in Denmark (Ribe, early 8th century) with runes carved on it. This object may have been an amulet intended to protect against malevolent supernatural beings like dwarves or elves, which were believed to cause sickness. 1904 VIKING AGE

The conversation continues on the eastern Viking diaspora, noting that the power base of the Rus shifted from Novgorod to Kyiv, forming Kievan Rus. Although early rulers had Norsedescent, they assimilated culturally, blending Scandinavian and Slavic elements; Norse names like Ingvar and Helgabecame Igor and Olga. History is flexible, and competing groups interpret this mixed heritage. A major mystery discussed is the Salme ship burials in Estonia (Saaremaa island), dating around 750 AD, prior to Lindisfarne. The high-status dead, likely Swedish men on a diplomatic mission, died violently but were buried carefully with rich goods, including falcons and a king gaming piece in the mouth of a leader. VIKING AGE SILVER

This segment focuses on Vikings as conquerors, noting successful raids like the one on Paris, which yielded 7,000 pounds of gold. Around 865 AD, the Great Heathen Army arrived in England, conquering East Anglia, Northumbria, and Mercia. The resulting stalemate with King Alfred led to the establishment of the Danelaw around 878–880 AD, giving Norse people political and legal control over a vast area of England. Norse settlement is evidenced by Old Norse influences in place names within the Danelaw. Barraclough also discusses the eastern expansion of the Vikings—the Rus (rowers), originating from modern Sweden, who moved down the Volga and Dnieper rivers, establishing settlements like Novgorod in 862 AD.

CBS Eye on the World with John Batchelor AUTHOR NAME: Eleanor Barraclough BOOK TITLE: Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age GUEST NAME: Eleanor Barraclough 100 WORD SUMMARY: The segment introduces Eleanor Barraclough'Es book, Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age, which draws history from everyday objects. The title's source, "embers of the hands," is an Old Norse kenning for gold, repurposed here to refer to precious, personal artifacts. Barraclough shares a favorite piece of evidence: a runic message from Gyða telling her inebriated husband in a Bergen tavern around 1200 AD to "go home." The discussion then addresses the traditional starting point of the Viking Age, 750 to 1100 AD. The symbolic start is the shocking 793 AD raid on Lindisfarne (Holy Island), a very rich monastery in northeast England, which generated fear across Europe.

Preview: The origins of the UK involve many cultural incomers, including the earlier Anglo-Saxons and Romans. The Viking "great heathen army" (c. 865), referred to in Old Englishas micel here, should be understood as smaller, mobile war bands with various leaders. This structure allowed the Norseinvaders to utilize waterways, split their forces, and maintain the element of surprise, complicating defensive predictions. Retry

Preview: Historian Eleanor Barraclough discusses a story preserved in a later saga (13th/14th century) about two men sheltering in an Icelandic cave after conversion. They encounter a mountain giant whose two glowing eyes resemble full moons. The giant recites a poem of 12 verses containing volcanic imagery ("dark flames drive the spit," "roaring of the spark storm"), describing the driving underground of the giants ("clay folk") as their world ends.

Preview: The Viking Age (750-1100 AD) saw Norse raiders transform into farmers. The Great Heathen Army arrived around 865 as mobile war bands. King Alfred the Great eventually achieved a stalemate with the Norse leader Guthrum. This led to an astonishing agreement (c. 878-880) establishing the Danelaw, giving the Norse legal control over vast areas like East Anglia and Yorkshire, confirmed by a linguistic imprint.

PREVIEW:: America First: Roosevelt vs. Lindbergh in the Shadow of War Hardcover – September 24, 2024 by H. W. Brands (Author) This source focuses on Charles Lindbergh's perspective on Germany and his strong critiques of Great Britain's foreign policy leading up to the war during the critical years of 1939, 1940, and 1941. 1927 LINDBERGH Context and Key Figures: JapaneseLindberghFranklin D. Roosevelt Lindbergh's Perspective on Germany: LindberghGermanGermansGermanyAdolf HitlerNaziGermanGerman Lindbergh's Critique of Britain: LindberghBritainBritainBritainBritainFranceParis Peace ConferenceGermanyBritishLindberghBritishGermanyCzechoslovakiaPolandHitlerEuropeLindberghBritishUnited StatesWorld War I

PREVIEW:: This source details President Franklin D. Roosevelt's covert strategy to maneuver the United States into supporting Great Britain despite strong domestic anti-war resistance, and the ideological clash this caused with Charles Lindbergh. America First: Roosevelt vs. Lindbergh in the Shadow of War Hardcover – September 24, 2024 by H. W. Brands (Author) 1941 Roosevelt's Covert Strategy: RooseveltChurchillU.S.BritishLindberghCongressRooseveltAmericanRooseveltChurchillAmericanRooseveltChurchillRooseveltBritishChurchillAmericanGreat BritainBritishWilliam StephensonAmericaStephensonAmericanBritainStephensonRooseveltWilliam DonovanGermans Ideological Conflict: Imperialism vs. Democracy: RooseveltBritainUnited StatesRooseveltBritainU.S.LindberghBritainLindberghAmericansBritish EmpireAmericanBritishIndiaChurchillBritishBritish EmpireRoosevelt

4/4: Wuhan Lab and the Politicization of COVID-19 Origins GUEST NAME:Brandon Weichert 50 WORD SUMMARY: Brandon Weichert discusses the creation of the Wuhan BSL4 lab, noting French warnings about its dual-use potential for bioweapons. US intelligence knew the lab had poor security protocols before COVID-19. Key figures discussed are General Chen Wei, who commanded WIV's response, and Dr. Shi Zhengli, who received risky US gain-of-function research. He concludes by noting the intense political interference surrounding the origins discourse. Biohacked: China's Race to Control Life. Brandon J. Weichert (Author) 1955

3/4: HEADLINE: Recommendations for Countering Chinese Tech Acquisition and Liability for COVID-19 GUEST NAME: Brandon Weichert 50 WORD SUMMARY: Brandon Weichert suggests US responses to China, including classifying tech transfers as bribes and empowering CFIUS to block Chinese acquisition of high-tech firms. He argues Washington is slowly grasping the threat, though political conflicts persist. He insists on seeking recompense from Beijing for covering up the COVID-19 outbreak and notes that reckless US research was transferred to WIV. Biohacked: China's Race to Control Life. Brandon J. Weichert (Author) 1942 USA

2/4: HEADLINE: High-Profile Corruption and Genetic Manipulation: The Cases of Lieber and He Jiankui GUEST NAME: Brandon Weichert 50 WORD SUMMARY: Brandon Weichert details how the Thousand Talents Program corrupted US scientists like Harvard's Charles Lieber, who shared military-grade nanotech research with China. The discussion pivots to the dual-use threat of CRISPR, an American genetic tool used by He Jiankui to modify unborn twins, potentially causing unintended brain augmentations. Biohacked: China's Race to Control Life. Brandon J. Weichert (Author) 1968 MAO AND LIN

1/4: China's "Field of Dreams" T: heory and Tech Dominance GUEST NAME: Brandon Weichert 50 WORD SUMMARY: Brandon Weichert discusses China's "Field of Dreams" theory, a strategy to attract Western tech talent and investment by building world-class innovation hubs, particularly in biotechnology. This long-term plan aims to catch up to and defeat the West, leveraging programs like the Thousand Talents initiative, which aggressively recruits foreign scientists. Biohacked: China's Race to Control Life. Brandon J. Weichert (Author) 1930 HONG-KONG

4/4: This file covers CMB aftermath, Gamow's vindication, and Hoyle's controversial final years. CMB proved Big Bang theory, establishing cosmos temperature at 2.73 Kelvin and age at 13.8 billion years. Gamow (died 1968) wrote Princeton researchers, seeking recognition for his and Ralph Alpher's 1940s CMBcalculations. Hoyle's work with Margaret and Geoffrey Burbidge and William Fowler on heavy elements was genius, but only Fowler received the Nobel Prize. Hoyle never forgave Willie Fowler. Speculation includes the committee distancing from Hoyle's fringe theories or Hans Bethe misunderstanding Hoyle's role. Hoyle moved to Lake District, pursuing panspermia theory—life spreading via cosmic travelers. He rejected Darwinian evolution, claiming Earth too young, ironically gaining young-earth creationist support despite atheism. He proposed diseases like AIDS arrived via comets, viewed as eccentric. Both were "seat-of-the-pants thinkers," though Hoyle more stubbornly clung to strange concepts. Flashes of Creation: George Gamow, Fred Hoyle, and the Great Big Bang Debate, by Paul Halpern

3/4: This file details Steady State theory creation, Hoyle's element theory, coining "Big Bang," and CMB discovery. Fred Hoyle, Bondi, and Gold conceived Steady State theory after watching The Dead of Night (1946/47). Their model proposed continuous creation via quantum uncertainty. Hoyle solved carbon formation: two helium atoms form unstable Beryllium-8, briefly uniting with third helium to forge Carbon-12. Hoyle predicted carbon's specific energy level, which Willie Fowler at Caltech verified. Hoyle coined "Big Bang" derisively on BBC radio, mocking single-blast creation. Gamow and Ralph Alpher called initial substance "ylem." Hoyle and Gamow met in 1956 La Jolla, discussing universe temperature; Hoyle believed near 0 Kelvin, Gamow preferred 10 Kelvin. In 1964, Penzias and Wilson at Bell Labs accidentally discovered persistent background radiation—the Cosmic Microwave Background—proving the Big Bang that Gamow sought. Flashes of Creation: George Gamow, Fred Hoyle, and the Great Big Bang Debate, by Paul Halpern

2/4: This file covers Fred Hoyle's academic career and the emergence of major cosmological debate. Hoyle earned his Cambridge PhD in 1939, originally wanting to be a chemist. During WWII, he worked on secret radar projects. Meeting astronomer Walter Baade proved pivotal; Baade proposed that Population 2 stars exploded as supernovae, distributing elements to newer stars. This inspired Hoyle's 1946 seminal paper on stellar nucleosynthesis, explaining how elements from hydrogen to uranium form in stars. Cosmological theories crystallized into competing camps: the Big Bang (from Friedmann and Lemaître's "primeval atom") versus Steady State theory. Einstein had written early steady state concepts but discarded them. Gamow supported the Big Bang, proposing all elements were created in the hot early universe. Early universe age estimates varied wildly between 2-10 billion years, far short of the accepted 13.8 billion years. Flashes of Creation: George Gamow, Fred Hoyle, and the Great Big Bang Debate, by Paul Halpern