We of Thanet love our history, due partly to the fact that we have so much of it here and one of the sights that greet visitors entering Thanet is the Viking Ship Hugin which is found at Pegwell Bay. I?m sure most of you know the history but just to recap in 1949 the ?Hugin? sailed from Denmark to Thanet in celebration of the 1500th anniversary of the traditional landing of Hengist and Horsa at Ebbsfleet and the betrothal of Hengist?s daughter, Rowena, to King Vortigen of Kent.
We can go a lot more into that historical line but I?m more interested in 1949 rather that 449 and I?ve come across these great videos from British Pathe that show the Hugin arriving at Viking Bay (originally known as Main Sands until this event), the thousands who celebrated its arrival, and the presentation ceremony in 1950 by Prince Georg of Denmark with the ship on display at Pegwell Bay.
Just click on the photo and you?ll be taken to the relevant video.
VIKING SHIP ARRIVES
KENT GREETS VIKING INVADERS
THE VIKING SHIP ?HUGIN? AT RAMSGATE
It really is amazing having such a link into the past. Yes it?s a relic that?s only 60 years old but it signifies something a lot older and normally gets me spouting off about Vikings et al.
That?s really interesting! I?m more of a 449 kinda gal myself, but those photos are fun! What a great way to mark the anniversary.