Search found 268 matches
- Fri Nov 09, 2018 6:27 pm
- Forum: 410-1100
- Topic: Viking Age Leather Tents
- Replies: 1
- Views: 6479
Viking Age Leather Tents
I have recently read Max Adams' book - Alfred's Britain war and peace in the Viking Age. In this book, he suggests (at the start of chapter 10) that the Anglo Saxon elite may have had leather tents. Having been in contact with Mr Adams, he cannot remember where he came across his evidence for this. ...
- Mon Nov 20, 2017 8:06 am
- Forum: 410-1100
- Topic: Looking to buy a viking/saxon sword
- Replies: 1
- Views: 4841
Re: Looking to buy a viking/saxon sword
Most of mine are from Armourclass in Glasgow. Many people will recommend Paul Binns as well. There are some nice one available through 'Merchant of Menace'. The one problem will be if they have any in stock and, if not, how long it will be until they have. You could always learn to play with a hand ...
- Sun Sep 10, 2017 4:58 pm
- Forum: 410-1100
- Topic: More evidence for women warriors in the Viking Age
- Replies: 2
- Views: 6251
More evidence for women warriors in the Viking Age
I'll just leave this here.........
I'm fairly sure that it might just provoke a little discussion.........
https://phys.org/news/2017-09-genetic-p ... riors.html
I'm fairly sure that it might just provoke a little discussion.........
https://phys.org/news/2017-09-genetic-p ... riors.html
- Sun Aug 27, 2017 9:37 am
- Forum: 410-1100
- Topic: Early Medieval Helmet (Durrow High Cross)
- Replies: 1
- Views: 5171
Re: Early Medieval Helmet (Durrow High Cross)
Given the erosion & wear on the carving, it's extremely difficult to interpret what, exactly, the Cain figure is wearing on their head. It could be a 'Spangen Helm' type helmet, it might have a solid neck piece - but then again - it could be an interpretation of a maille aventail; it could be an int...
- Sun May 21, 2017 8:54 am
- Forum: General History
- Topic: splitting headache
- Replies: 2
- Views: 6765
Re: splitting headache
The National Museum of Ireland in Dublin have a couple of prime Viking-Age examples. Exhibit A is a long bone that has three square(ish) dents in its' surface from where it has been hit (but not broken) by a sword. Exhibit B is a skull with one quarter removed completely by a single axe blow. (http:...
- Thu Apr 27, 2017 6:59 am
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Viking Style Combat Gloves/Gauntlets
- Replies: 1
- Views: 6412
Re: Viking Style Combat Gloves/Gauntlets
Merchant of Menace ( http://www.merchantofmenace.co.uk/ ) do very good gloves.
- Fri Apr 14, 2017 8:41 am
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: To hood or not to hood?
- Replies: 3
- Views: 9179
Re: To hood or not to hood?
Hoods are good. I have two I use regularly - a light weight (linen, wool silk mix) for warm weather (factor 5 million sunscreen!) and an all wool one for cooler weather. I would strongly recommend hoods.
- Fri Feb 17, 2017 9:58 am
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Linen needed.
- Replies: 6
- Views: 10091
Re: Linen needed.
Try Fabworks - https://www.facebook.com/fabworks.millshop?fref=ts. They're rather good.........
- Tue Dec 06, 2016 7:54 am
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Wash dirty clothes - Modern detergent
- Replies: 2
- Views: 4921
Re: Wash dirty clothes - Modern detergent
When my wool kit gets oily, I soak it overnight with some Ecover washing stuff then run it through the machine with another dose of Ecover. Occasionally, it might need this doing twice but once through is usually more than enough.
- Thu Dec 01, 2016 6:45 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Viking outfit
- Replies: 10
- Views: 11932
Re: Viking outfit
Dunholm is part of the Vikings and, all weapons need training with and, before you get out onto a battlefield, you'll have to pass the appropriate safety assessment. There is one for swords or axes, one for single handed spears and shields etc.
- Wed Nov 30, 2016 6:01 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Viking outfit
- Replies: 10
- Views: 11932
Re: Viking outfit
I would always start with a hand axe and/or a one handed spear - remember different societies have different rules for weapons, for someone starting with a one handed spear, The Vikings (my lot) limit it's overall maximum length of 5 ft 6 inch butt to point. Axes and spear could also come from Merch...
- Tue Nov 29, 2016 7:14 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Viking outfit
- Replies: 10
- Views: 11932
Re: Viking outfit
I would always recommend making as much of it yourself as possible. Shoes and other leatherwork - try Merchant of Menace. For cloth stuff, try Iduna Crafts (I think that's how you spell it)
- Thu Sep 01, 2016 6:52 am
- Forum: Re-enactors Wanted
- Topic: Casting Saxons for Paramount Pictures Film in Surrey
- Replies: 4
- Views: 5890
Re: Casting Saxons for Paramount Pictures Film in Surrey
Sounds interesting but, without dates, people who work and would need to book time off, can't - unless they know when it's happening. Unless this falls during half-term (I work in a school) it's not worth me applying.
- Mon Jul 25, 2016 9:10 am
- Forum: 410-1100
- Topic: Hastings contacts
- Replies: 8
- Views: 11816
Re: Hastings contacts
English Heritage are deciding who to invite to this years bash. If you have not already heard from them, I would either contact them ASAP or assume that you're not on the list for invites this year. Assuming you get an invite, once you are there, The Vikings will be doing the organisation for the au...
- Wed Jun 29, 2016 4:33 pm
- Forum: 410-1100
- Topic: Posting weapons to Denmark
- Replies: 3
- Views: 7793
Re: Posting weapons to Denmark
Assuming it's a blunt, combat chopper...... I doubt that there are any rules and regs in place. I would suggest that wrapping it well to pad and disguise its' shape ought to be enough.
If in doubt, however, consult your local post office.
If in doubt, however, consult your local post office.
- Wed Jun 29, 2016 4:30 pm
- Forum: Friends and Gossip
- Topic: Hello Everyone,
- Replies: 6
- Views: 6269
Re: Hello Everyone,
BOO! 

- Thu May 19, 2016 6:37 pm
- Forum: Friends and Gossip
- Topic: Can You Recommend Anyone? Viking Group Needed
- Replies: 3
- Views: 3950
Re: Can You Recommend Anyone? Viking Group Needed
http://www.vikingsonline.org.uk/membership/groupdb/
Try this. It lists all The Vikings groups by county.
Try this. It lists all The Vikings groups by county.
- Wed May 18, 2016 6:31 pm
- Forum: Friends and Gossip
- Topic: Can You Recommend Anyone? Viking Group Needed
- Replies: 3
- Views: 3950
Re: Can You Recommend Anyone? Viking Group Needed
Where are you based?
- Wed May 11, 2016 6:43 am
- Forum: Friends and Gossip
- Topic: Fresh look for the forums? Yes or No - Thoughts
- Replies: 7
- Views: 6605
Re: Fresh look for the forums? Yes or No - Thoughts
Ditto. It aint broke, don't fix it.
- Mon Feb 22, 2016 7:48 am
- Forum: Friends and Gossip
- Topic: Shame about the shoes
- Replies: 11
- Views: 7283
Re: Shame about the shoes
Whilst I cannot speak for the other societies involved, all members of The Vikings were in authentic footwear at all times when on public display. I am fairly confident that the other societies involved would have operated in similar vein. However........ There are huge numbers of Members of the Pub...
- Sun Jan 17, 2016 10:46 am
- Forum: General History
- Topic: My boots are too small
- Replies: 8
- Views: 10961
Re: My boots are too small
Use a sharp knife and trim feet to size?




- Wed Jan 13, 2016 10:31 pm
- Forum: General History
- Topic: My boots are too small
- Replies: 8
- Views: 10961
Re: My boots are too small
Late Victorian/Edwardian/Belle Epoch boot stretchers? Akin to glove stretchers but slightly different in application......
- Mon Sep 14, 2015 5:10 pm
- Forum: 410-1100
- Topic: Help with Kievan Rus gear (945-972AD)
- Replies: 1
- Views: 2728
Re: Help with Kievan Rus gear (945-972AD)
Well, for a start, there is no such thing as a 'low class Druzhina'. The Druzinha were drawn from the ranks of the nobility. Have a look for - The Archaeology of Novgorod - ISBN 0583-9106; The Early Slavs (PM Barford) - ISBN 0 7141 2804X; Pechenegs, Cumans, Iasians - Steppe People in Medieval Hungar...
- Mon Aug 24, 2015 8:10 am
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Silks in the period 1066 - 1216
- Replies: 4
- Views: 3695
Re: Silks in the period 1066 - 1216
I know it predates your period but....... The Oseberg dress from the Norwegian boat burial is one of the few silk finds known. The silk in question is 'brocaded' with a variety of Byzantine style designs. Many of these pieces of silk have then been cut into strips and used to decorate and re-enforce...
- Mon Jul 27, 2015 9:08 am
- Forum: 410-1100
- Topic: Anglo-Saxon stories
- Replies: 3
- Views: 3520
Re: Anglo-Saxon stories
Apart from the obvious ones like Beowulf, the Wanderer, Finnsborough Fight and Brunnaborough fragments - look at genealogies for your lord and master as well as for the appropriate Kings for the time. Riddles were also popular. A couple of books you may want to check out include -'English Heroic Leg...
- Sat Jun 27, 2015 8:48 pm
- Forum: 410-1100
- Topic: Viking Tent Posts
- Replies: 13
- Views: 13405
Re: Viking Tent Posts
I know of Roman leather tents but nothing as late as the Viking period. I would suggest woven wool that is subsequently felted, rather than 'traditional' felt might have been used. Summer in Mongolia tends to be somewhat drier than the Northern European 'summer' and felt gets very heavy and fragile ...
- Mon Jun 22, 2015 7:53 pm
- Forum: 410-1100
- Topic: Dark Age Children's Toys
- Replies: 5
- Views: 8982
Re: Dark Age Children's Toys
The idea that such things did not exist is, frankly, absurd. The problem, however, is finding archaeological proof as, being textiles, they are most unlikely to survive in the ground. I am sure I have come across references to games like 'Kingy Bats' - two or more wooden paddles and a soft ball for ...
- Sun May 31, 2015 12:45 pm
- Forum: 410-1100
- Topic: The Whitby Brooch.
- Replies: 10
- Views: 6904
Re: The Whitby Brooch.



- Sun May 31, 2015 8:51 am
- Forum: 410-1100
- Topic: Viking Tent Posts
- Replies: 13
- Views: 13405
Re: Viking Tent Posts
Guilty as charged!
I was, indeed, running around daft at Whitby smacking people with a variety of steel sticks........

- Sat May 30, 2015 4:51 pm
- Forum: 410-1100
- Topic: Viking Tent Posts
- Replies: 13
- Views: 13405
Re: Viking Tent Posts
Some good, and relatively easily available ideas can be had from the original 'Prince Valiant' film. This was made just after the Godstagt ship burial report was published. Ignore the horns and the furry knickers (not to mention the furry everything else) but the tents used in the camp scene were ba...