Vikings! Of Middle England
Encyclopedia
Overview of Organisation
Vikings of Middle England (also known as Tÿrslið) is a UK (LeicesterLeicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
) based, non-commercial
Commerce
While business refers to the value-creating activities of an organization for profit, commerce means the whole system of an economy that constitutes an environment for business. The system includes legal, economic, political, social, cultural, and technological systems that are in operation in any...
, non-political organisation founded in 1991 with the aim of reenacting
Historical reenactment
Historical reenactment is an educational activity in which participants attempt torecreate some aspects of a historical event or period. This may be as narrow as a specific moment from a battle, such as the reenactment of Pickett's Charge at the Great Reunion of 1913, or as broad as an entire...
, with live steel combat (including special effects) and 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...
, the 'Dark Age
Dark Ages reenactment
Dark Ages reenactment is generally considered a sub-branch of Medieval reenactment focussing on the 1st millennium AD beginning with the fall of the Roman Empire and ending with the High Middle Ages.The term 'Dark Ages' is much used...
' period between 793 AD and 1100 AD. In addition, the organisation also owns a scale replica Longship
Longship
Longships were sea vessels made and used by the Vikings from the Nordic countries for trade, commerce, exploration, and warfare during the Viking Age. The longship’s design evolved over many years, beginning in the Stone Age with the invention of the umiak and continuing up to the 9th century with...
called Ratatosk
Ratatosk
In Norse mythology, Ratatoskr is a squirrel who runs up and down the world tree Yggdrasil to carry messages between the unnamed eagle, perched atop Yggdrasil, and the wyrm Níðhöggr, who dwells beneath one of the three roots of the tree...
. Tÿrslið's aim is to entertain and educate an audience using a mix of drama, historical context, demonstration and audience participation.
Vikings of Middle England perform at events throughout the UK, including at places of historical interest such as Rockingham Castle
Rockingham Castle
Rockingham Castle is a former royal castle and hunting lodge in Rockingham Forest a mile to the north of Corby, Northamptonshire.-History:The site on which the castle stands has been used in the Iron Age, Roman period and by the invading Saxons also used by the Normans, Tudors and also used in the...
, carnivals, festivals and local events, and also at other visitor attractions such as Conkers
National Forest, England
The National Forest is one of England’s most ambitious environmental projects. Across parts of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire, are being transformed, blending ancient woodland with new planting to create a new national forest...
.
Vikings of Middle England also provide displays and resources for education, at schools and for seminars. The organisation has lent expertise and kit to researchers for books, websites and conferences while also publishing articles on their website suitable for UK Key Stage 2 pupils.
Group Structure
Vikings of Middle England's membership is mostly based in the city of LeicesterLeicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, operating from St Luke's Church in Stocking Farm via a weekly meeting. However, some members hail from the surrounding East Midlands
East Midlands
The East Midlands is one of the regions of England, consisting of most of the eastern half of the traditional region of the Midlands. It encompasses the combined area of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and most of Lincolnshire...
and further afield.
The group is led by the Jarl and the Thegns who make up the executive committee. Due to the number of members and the wide range of 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,...
personas portrayed, the group is split into several administrative sections called Houses. Each house represents a facet of 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,...
Britain
Britain
Britain may refer to:* United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a state in western Europe* Great Britain, the largest island in the British Isles* Britain, Virginia, an unincorporated village in Loudoun County, Virginia, USA...
. For example, House Norvegre Haseti portrays just the Norse Gaels, where House Conroi Du Faucon portrays Normans
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...
, amongst others.
In addition to administrative organisation, there is a rank and reward system. New members start in the group as a Thrall or Slave and work their way up to Landsman, a wealthy landowner, through time served in the group, attitude to activities and gathering of authentic kit.
For the combat element, there is an appointed Training Officer called the Stallari who manages the live, un-choreographed fight system for safety, competitiveness and showmanship. Combat is thoroughly trained with members practising in a variety of 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,...
weapons such as Seax
Seax
Seax in Old English means knife or cutting tool. The name of the roofer's tool, the zax, is a development from this word...
, Spear
Spear
A spear is a pole weapon consisting of a shaft, usually of wood, with a pointed head.The head may be simply the sharpened end of the shaft itself, as is the case with bamboo spears, or it may be made of a more durable material fastened to the shaft, such as flint, obsidian, iron, steel or...
, Axe
Axe
The axe, or ax, is an implement that has been used for millennia to shape, split and cut wood; to harvest timber; as a weapon; and as a ceremonial or heraldic symbol...
and Sword
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
.
Notable Members, Achievements and Performances
- Named in the 'Top Ten Re-Enactments for Family' by BBC CountryFile Magazine.
- Starred in the Kerry Food's 'Walls! Bring it On Britain!' advertising campaign in 2010.
- Dr. Gareth Williams, Curator of Early Medieval Coins at the British Museum is a former member.
- Performed in BBC's 'Blood of the Vikings' mini series (2001).
- Performed in 'Weapons that Made Britain' Shield episode (Lion TV for Channel 4, 2004).
- Performed in 'Warrior Queen - Boudica' (Indigo Films for History Channel, 2005).
- Performed in the music video for 'Assessment' by the Beta Band.
- Performed in 'Born of HopeBorn of HopeBorn of Hope: The Ring of Barahir is a 2009 fantasy-adventure fan film directed by Kate Madison and written by Paula DiSante that is based on the appendices of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings...
' (Actors at Work Production).
Reviews
- The Mercian Revolt: The Vikings of Middle England at Rockingham Castle., Skirmish Magazine, Issue 85
- Medieval Outlaws, Knights and Combat, Skirmish Magazine, Issue 81