Some of the locations we travel to for our school visits and workshops are:
East-Midlands, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire , Warwickshire, Leamington, Leicester Hinckley Nottingham Peterborough Coventry Birmingham, Tamworth, Derbyshire, Derby, Chesterfield, Ilkeston, Swadlincote, Buxton, Matlock, Ashbourne, Nottinghamshire, Mansfield, Worksop, Newark, Leicestershire, Leicester, Loughborough, Melton Mowbray, Coalville, Lutterworth, Rutland - Oakham, Uppingham. Cottesmore, Northampton, Peterborough, Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough, West-Midlands, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, Coventry, Smethwick, West Bromwich, Solihull, Bedfordshire, Birmingham, Warwick, Nuneaton, Rugby, Solihull, Stratford-upon-Avon.
Viking Gallery
Bucket
Antler & Bone-Handled Seaxes
Sword & Scabbard
Wooden Mjolnir
Shield
Privy Set
Runes
Scramaseax
Goatskin Boots
Housewife's Keys
Linen Coif
Heddle Belt
Fleeces & Goatskin
Bearing Dial
Axe
Spear & Child's Wooden Spear
Beeswax Candle
Without running water, buckets were of great significance about the home.
In common with Saxons (hence the name), all free men and women would wear a knife on their belt.
A treasured weapon like a sword would be named and (it was believed!) could be attributed magical powers by inscribing it with Runes.
Worn around the neck, a miniature version of Thor's mighty hammer was a symbol of belief in the old Norse religion.
Vikings were a clean people, carrying a privy (or toilet) set - tweezers, fingernail pick and ear scoop. Also pictured here is a key in a typical shape from the time.
Viking shields were large and round with a heavy iron boss in the centre. Some attached thrusting spikes to the boss for more offensive use.
The extent of Norse women's rights was in stark contrast to those of certain cultures (including many later ones). Holding the keys to the longhouse (and the mead chest!) is just one example of this.
Most Vikings' boots were made of goat leather.
A longer version of the seax - like a modern machete, probably with as many uses. Leagrid is portrayed as using this on a daily basis when Gregolf sails away to go trading as she is left to look after the home and land.
Vikings were known for cultivating flax from which they made linen. A coif (or cap) like this could be worn by men and women.
Wrested by Odin himself from the underworld, runes (and the power which comes from writing) were considered as almost arcane knowledge. These are each cross sections of a branch with a single runic symbol scorched on and were thought to hold powers of divination.
Woven on a loom, heddle was used to trim clothing as well as make belts. Vikings loved bright colours, so a belt like this would be very pleasing.
One of many Viking methods of navigation, this is man's earliest form of compass and works much like a sun dial.
Used about the home and person for comfort, padding and warmth, these pelts held value in themselves. Nothing was wasted after slaughtering an animal.
A spear was a key weapon for keeping the enemy at a distance and Norse boys would enjoy "playing" with wooden versions of the weapon. Why do you think a Viking father would be keen to see his son with a toy spear?
This small axe would fit well on a frog (a metal ring with a leather thong attached to fit on the belt) about the waist. The romanticised picture of a Norseman with a double-headed axe is not accurate. Very long Dane Axes were used but, being quite slim for a Viking, Gregolf doesn't use them! He is useful with a longbow and a sling shot and leaves the mightier weapons for his more massively scaled brethren!
Beeswax was an expensive form of candle but smells a lot better than tallow - congealed animal fat!
We intend (nay, recommend!) this gallery for the study of Vikings. Verily though, if thou art considering a Specialists visit, we wouldst suggest
using this after the school visit hath taken place. Thus it will reinforce the learning from the day. (Over-familiarity with yon resources afore the visit may reduce its impact!) The photographs shown hither art subject to
copyright but can be used and reproduced in school for educational purposes without need to contact Ye Specialists.
