This recent discovery of the Vale of York Hoard makes them seem a bit less cuddly and looks set to revive the aggressive Vikings of popular tradition, but now with a dash of cosmopolitan glamour.

This Viking hoard was discovered in 2007 in North Yorkshire ... When we first saw the Vale of York cup it just looked grey and featureless on the outside and was filled to the brim with soil.

Libby Purves meets actor Brian Cox and singer June Tabor. Coming up at: 21:58 Weather View full schedule Vale of York Hoard (buried around 927 AD). Viking objects; found near Harrogate ...