The Vikings (reenactment)
Encyclopedia
"The Vikings" is a British
society of re-enactors, dedicated to the study and re-enactment of the culture of the Viking Age
(790 – 1066) and the display of authentic Dark Ages living history
and combat.
. In its N.F.P.S days, the society consisted of some thirty core members, including the 'Odin Guard' an elite combat group maintaining Norse Heathen religious practices and values, but which eventually left the
society during the leadership of Gerry East, whose recruitment tactics eventually took the membership into the three hundred plus bracket. The Society now has over 800 members throughout Britain, Europe and North America. While the Society concentrates mainly on the 10th Century, events are often set in the wider period from 790 to 1066, with the appropriate modifications to dress and equipment used.
Despite the 'Vikings!' title of the Society, the groups within it portray Saxon
, Norman
, Celt
ic, and Viking
cultures.
The Society also provides resources for schools, including a teacher's resource book for KS2. In some cases, clothing and equipment can be loaned to schools for short periods to assist in classroom work.
All visitors hold either a CRB disclosure to a minimum of standard level, or one from Disclosure Scotland.
events.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
society of re-enactors, dedicated to the study and re-enactment of the culture of the Viking Age
Viking Age
Viking Age is the term for the period in European history, especially Northern European and Scandinavian history, spanning the late 8th to 11th centuries. Scandinavian Vikings explored Europe by its oceans and rivers through trade and warfare. The Vikings also reached Iceland, Greenland,...
(790 – 1066) and the display of authentic Dark Ages living history
Living history
Living history is an activity that incorporates historical tools, activities and dress into an interactive presentation that seeks to give observers and participants a sense of stepping back in time. Although it does not necessarily seek to reenact a specific event in history, living history is...
and combat.
Origins
The Vikings, previously known as the Norse Film and Pageant Society (NFPS), which was founded in 1971 by Peter Seymour and Allan Jeffery, initially as an extension to their 'Central Focus' WWII film club, and is the oldest and largest Dark Ages society in the UK. They are a founding member of the National Association of Re-enactment SocietiesNational Association of Re-enactment Societies
The National Association of Re-enactment Societies was formed in 1991 and is a UK organisation that brings together UK historical re-enactment groups.-Objectives:...
. In its N.F.P.S days, the society consisted of some thirty core members, including the 'Odin Guard' an elite combat group maintaining Norse Heathen religious practices and values, but which eventually left the
society during the leadership of Gerry East, whose recruitment tactics eventually took the membership into the three hundred plus bracket. The Society now has over 800 members throughout Britain, Europe and North America. While the Society concentrates mainly on the 10th Century, events are often set in the wider period from 790 to 1066, with the appropriate modifications to dress and equipment used.
Despite the 'Vikings!' title of the Society, the groups within it portray Saxon
Anglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon is a term used by historians to designate the Germanic tribes who invaded and settled the south and east of Great Britain beginning in the early 5th century AD, and the period from their creation of the English nation to the Norman conquest. The Anglo-Saxon Era denotes the period of...
, Norman
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
, Celt
Celt
The Celts were a diverse group of tribal societies in Iron Age and Roman-era Europe who spoke Celtic languages.The earliest archaeological culture commonly accepted as Celtic, or rather Proto-Celtic, was the central European Hallstatt culture , named for the rich grave finds in Hallstatt, Austria....
ic, and Viking
Viking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
cultures.
Objectives
The Vikings' goal is to provide an accurate and educational portrayal of the Viking period, with equal emphasis on the daily life of the period and on the more warlike aspects of life in what was a formative period in European history. Events staged by The Vikings aim for a the high standard of presentation, historical accuracy and attention to detail. For combat displays, which combine public entertainment with a historical background, the battle organisers strive to recreate an event local to the area. Aside from the combat, at each event there are extensive living history displays which present a cross-section of life in the tenth century.Local Groups
The Vikings has local groups in the UK, mainland Europe and Northern America, each group usually numbers between 5 and 50 members depending on the region. The groups are each led by a Sturaesman (or woman) or Jarl, who deals with the administrative and organisational aspects, and when at large events each will usually fight as one unit.Educational Visits
Aside from the main events, in many regions of the UK the society offers school visits by experienced and knowledgeable personnel in full period dress and equipment. These visits include a variety of activities based around the UK National Curriculum framework of Key Stage Two's “Invaders and Settlers” topic.The Society also provides resources for schools, including a teacher's resource book for KS2. In some cases, clothing and equipment can be loaned to schools for short periods to assist in classroom work.
All visitors hold either a CRB disclosure to a minimum of standard level, or one from Disclosure Scotland.
Membership
Full membership of The Vikings is open to anyone over the age of 18. In the UK, children aged 16 and 17 are allowed to train and participate in the combat displays when accompanied by an adult. Due to safety regulations, children under 16 years old may not take part in combat displays, although correctly dressed and equipped 13-15 year olds are used as battlefield runners and/or waterbearers.Battle of Hastings reenactments
Since 1995, The Vikings has been the primary organiser for the combat and living history portions of the Battle of Hastings reenactmentBattle of Hastings reenactment
The Battle of Hastings reenactment is a yearly reenactment of the Battle of Hastings, held at Battle Abbey in Battle, East Sussex, UK, and drawing participants from around the world...
events.
See also
- List of historical reenactment groups
- The Vikings CanadaThe Vikings CanadaThe Vikings - Vinland is an organization of Viking reenactors, consisting of 12 local member-groups across North America which, in 2006, were united into one governing body... The Vikings. All members of Vinland are full members of UK-based The Vikings. Members focus on developing and presenting...
- The Vikings NAThe Vikings NAThe Vikings NA is a Viking-Age re-enactment group based in the United States of America.The group was founded in 2003 as the North American arm of The Vikings and it currently has member groups in California, Oklahoma, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Nebraska, Mississippi, and...