Contrary to popular beliefs, the Dark Ages were a time of great artistic achievement, with new ideas and religions provoking new artistic adventures. In this last of four episodes, Waldemar Januszczak looks towards the north of Europe. The Carolingians saw themselves as successors to Rome, reflected in their art. Elsewhere, the Vikings were constructing long ships with intricate decoration and marking their territory with powerful rune stones. And on the British Isles, the Irish and Anglo-Saxons were creating unique works of manuscript illumination and remarkable jewelry.