Growing artichokes is in the lower part of my growing list Fw, but I did research a while back.
From what I recall, they do not like deep frost or very wet cold winter soil. If soil is well drained, a good thick anti-frost cover/mulch over the crowns might be OK, but they can also be dug-up and over-wintered in a dry-ish compost medium in a protected situation.
I also seem to think there are newer varieties that are quite a bit hardier than others.
If you find the right solution, please do post again idc as I might have worked through the planting list by then and would be interested in any successes.