Kent welcomes Viking invaders.
The ‘Hugin’ is a reconstructed longship built in Denmark. It was sailed by 53 Danes to Main Bay (renamed Viking Bay following this event), Broadstairs in 1949. This marked the 1500th anniversary of the invasion of Britain and the arrival of Hengist and Horsa, leaders of the Anglo-Saxon invasion, at nearby Ebbsfleet. Hengist became the first Saxon King of Kent.
Amazingly, there was only one professional seaman onboard. Plus, Viking conditions were observed and the only instrument carried was a sextant.
There is an online footage from British Pathe which shows the longboat arriving. Part of this footage was used in the 1965 Doctor Who series – ‘Time Meddler’.
The Hugin was restored in 2005 and is now in pride of place overlooking the bay at Cliffsend, Ramsgate.
