Ep 8. The Secret Evidence

In season 1 episode 8 of Secrets of the Viking Stone, titled "The Secret Evidence," viewers are taken on a journey to explore the potential links between the Viking Age and the Catholic Church. The episode begins with a visit to the site of a curious discovery, the Kensington Rune Stone, which was found in Minnesota in 1898. The stone is marked with runic script that, if translated correctly, suggests that a Norse party journeyed to America in the 14th century.

The episode then delves into the controversy surrounding the stone's authenticity and the authenticity of other Norse artifacts found in North America. Experts offer differing opinions on the likelihood of Norse exploration and settlement in North America, with some citing evidence such as the remains of Norse buildings and Norse-style carvings found in Canada as proof while others remain skeptical.

However, the episode takes a turn when the focus shifts to the possible connection between the Vikings and the Catholic Church. The discovery of the Vinland Map, a medieval map that appears to show North America and Greenland over 50 years before Columbus, suggests that the Vikings not only knew of the New World but may have shared their knowledge with the Catholic Church. The map was discovered in 1957 and has been the subject of debate ever since.

Experts and historians also look at other possible links between the two groups. The Viking Age ended around the time of the Crusades, and there is evidence that Vikings may have joined the Crusades or even been recruited by the Catholic Church. They may have also traveled to Rome as pilgrims or mercenaries.

Throughout the episode, viewers are shown various pieces of evidence and are asked to draw their own conclusions about the Vikings and their possible ties to the Catholic Church. Theories range from speculation that the Vikings and the Catholic Church cooperated on exploration and colonization efforts to the suggestion that they were hostile to each other due to differences in religion and culture.

As the episode concludes, viewers are left with many questions and few definite answers. However, the evidence presented certainly offers intriguing possibilities for further exploration and discovery. Secrets of the Viking Stone season 1 episode 8, "The Secret Evidence," is a thought-provoking and fascinating look at the complex history and possible connections between Vikings and the Catholic Church.