Women's Prize Longlist
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Lecturer in Environmental History recognised on longlist for the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction
Thursday, 27 February, 2025Senior Lecturer in Environmental History, Dr Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough, has been longlisted for the esteemed Women's Prize for Non-Fiction for her immersive second novel, Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age.
An introduction to the ‘real Vikings’, Eleanor’s novel explores an extraordinary culture that spanned centuries, unveiling the stories of ordinary people: the merchants, children, artisans, enslaved people, seers, travellers and storytellers who shaped the medieval Nordic world.
Eleanor’s novel is a product of extensive research and a passion for Nordic culture. Discovering her niche at the University of Cambridge, she delved deep into Anglo-Saxon Norse and Celtic history.
Since then, Eleanor has shared her learnings as an Associate Professor in Medieval History and Literature at Durham University and a Leverhulme Fellow at the University of Oxford. She also broadcasts for the BBC, where she has made documentaries on everything from Viking Age music to zombie apocalypses.
The idea for Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age began with Eleanor’s previous book, Beyond the Northlands: Viking Voyages and the Old Norse Sagas, where she trailed Viking Age far-travellers over generations, but couldn’t shake a fascination with those who had been shunned from the limelight. Eleanor said:
“I wanted to tell the story of the ordinary humans of the Viking Age, rather than the headline hitters who were top of the pile, the ones who were usually male, powerful, and gifted with exciting nicknames.
“I kept on glimpsing everyone else at the edge of the stage, the ones who lived at this extraordinary time, in all sorts of wild and wonderful locations, but never made it into the sagas.”
Renowned for celebrating excellence, accessibility and originality, the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction showcases work that exemplifies all three. Authors featured on the longlist comprise women from a wide range of professional spheres and expertise, with Eleanor’s pioneering deep-dive into Viking history bringing overlooked stories back to life and recognition.
Describing what it meant to be longlisted alongside her fellow nominees, Eleanor said:
“The writers nominated alongside me are absolute powerhouses. I'm so proud to be counted amongst such incredible and talented women. I'm beyond delighted that the judges thought EMBERS worthy of inclusion.”
David Coast, Reader in Early Modern History at BSU said:
“The History team and our students are delighted with El's brilliant achievement. Public history and communicating with different audiences are important elements of our teaching and it's great that El's book has been recognised in this way.”
Since launching her career at BSU, Eleanor has voyaged further into her research. In addition to her published works, she has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, BBC History Magazine, and BBC Countryfile Magazine, and she is a proud Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Society of Antiquaries.
Stay up to date with Eleanor’s adventures on Instagram and find out more on her website.