Nordic Nations: From Vikings to Global Middle Powers
October 29 - December 3, 2026
This will be an exciting and timely series considering the latest Geopolitical news involving some of our Nordic Nation neighbours. These lectures will take us on a fascinating journey from the late 700’s, through to the powerful Golden Age of Sweden right up to modern day and the Nobel Prize! Christianity, the Renaissance, and the Reformation all were influenced by the Nordic Nations. We will learn what was behind the waves of emigration to North America and how significant the Nordic Nations were to the Second World War. Join us on this journey through history and discover its impact on today’s world.
6 lectures, live at the Bayshore Centre and live streamed on Vimeo
Thursday mornings 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Replays until May 13, 2027 on Vimeo
Tickets for this series will go on sale in October, 2026
Lecturer - Dr. Carolyn Harris
Dr. Carolyn Harris teaches history at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. She received her Ph.D in European history from Queen’s University in 2012. Her writing concerning the history of monarchy in the UK, Europe, and Canada has appeared in numerous publications including the Globe and Mail, Ottawa Citizen, Smithsonian Magazine and the BBC News Magazine and she frequently provides commentary on history and royalty for TV and radio. She is the author of 3 books: Magna Carta and Its Gifts to Canada, Raising Royalty: 1000 Years of Royal Parenting and Queenship and Revolution in Early Modern Europe: Henrietta Maria and Marie Antoinette. Carolyn has lectured about Nordic History on five cruise ship voyages to the Nordic Nations.
Thursday Oct 29, 2026
The Viking Age
The Viking Age lasted from the attack on Lindisfarne Monastery in 793 until the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The Vikings had a profound influence on Scandinavia and the wider world, travelling as far west as Newfoundland, as far east as Russia and as far south as Constantinople and Baghdad. In the north, they were raiders, in the south, they were traders and they shaped the course of history everywhere they travelled. We will discuss Viking culture in Scandinavia and the wider world including shipbuilding, weaponry, religious ritual, and women's roles in society.
Thursday Nov 5, 2026
The Golden Age of Sweden
During the 17th century, Sweden emerged as a major European power, controlling much of the Baltic Sea region. King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden introduced key military innovations and his daughter Queen Christina became a cultural patron. The Golden Age of Sweden ended with the Great Northern War and the rise of Russia as a major European power during the reign of Peter the Great.
Thursday Nov 12, 2026
The Grand Duchy of Finland and Royal Denmark
In the 19th century, the borders shifted in the Nordic Nations. Finland became part of the Russian Empire, Sweden and Norway were ruled by the same monarch and Denmark lost territory to Germany. The Danish royal family were closely connected to other European royal houses and exerted diplomatic influence through their connections with other reigning houses.
Thursday Nov 19, 2026
Emigration to North America
The upheaval of the 19th century resulted in waves of emigration to North America and the wider world. Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Icelandic and Finnish emigrants remained interested and engaged in European events shaping the Nordic Nations including the Norwegian independence movement in the early 20th century.
Thursday Nov 26, 2026
Art and Literature, Science and Exploration
From Viking sagas and jewellery making to the plays of Henrik Ibsen and the paintings of Edvard Munch to modern Nordic architecture and design, Nordic art and literature continues to engage the wider world. For centuries, the Nordic Nations have produced influential mariners, explorers and scientists. The Nobel Prizes have been presented in Sweden and Norway for more than 100 years.
Thursday Dec 3, 2026
The Second World War and the Nordic Nations in the Modern World
A look at the modern history of the Nordic Nations from the Second World War to the strengths and challenges of the present day.