All images are by the author except:
1 Stromness: Sarah Annesley.
3 Inchmarnock hostage stone: Headland Archaeology Ltd/Chris Lowe; Wikimedia Commons.
9 Sea Stallion of Glendalough: photo by Frank Spiers.
11 Norse runes at Maes Howe: Sarah Annesley.
23 Treaty of Aelfred and Guthrum: Corpus Christi Library, Cambridge.
27 The Stockholm Codex Aureus : Wikimedia Commons.
28 The Alfred jewel: Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, UK /Bridgeman Images.
32 The Cuerdale hoard: JMiall; Wikimedia Commons.
38 Fierce beast from St Oswald’s Priory: Fæ; Wikimedia Commons.
46 Frontispiece of Bede’s Life of St Cuthbert; Wikimedia Commons.
50 Raven penny of Óláfr Guðrøðsson, king of York: Arthur Bryant Coins Limited. www.bryantcoins.com