Western Viking Kit Page Western Viking Kit Page
The under kyrtle is undyed linen, trimmed at the neck in a different shade of linen, and decorated with a woolen thread.
The brooch, as seen in the picture, has since been replaced with a pennanular being a better choice for this kit, and can be seen below in the relevant section.
The outer kyrtle (as seen above), is a brown and green herringbone wool. It is embroidered in green and red wool around the neck, cuffs, and hem.
The outer kyrtle for fighting is a darker brown and has tablet woven trim around the bottom hem and a simple woolen stitch in red around the neck and cuffs.
b. Trousers
Trousers seen in above picture are linen, with a blue warp and green weft. Decorative stitching around the waist and hems in contrasting color thread. They are based on the Thorsberg pattern.
c. Shoes
The shoes are of a turnshoe construction, with scrap sheepskin in the bottom.
d. Dress Accessories & Jewellery
Pictured are three pieces of jewellery. A cross, a Thor's hammer, and a pennanular brooch. The hammer is set on waxed linen with several beads, and the cross is upon a bronze wire with a leather thong.
The Thor's hammer is from Rømersdal, island of Bornholm, Denmark and dated to the late 10th Century.
The cross is based off of the Birka cross, also dating to the 10th C.
The pennanular is based off of a Gotlandic find.
Recently added and shown here is a ring pin. Found primarily in Norway, Iceland, Vineland, etc. this is the most geographically incongruous piece of jewelry for this 10th C. representation. It serves, however, best to hold up the large and heavy cloak.
e. Armoured Gloves & Armguards
Both of made from vegetable tanned leather. While neither of these items are authentic, they are required for safety reasons. The armguards and garments are both designed so that the wearing of the armor is not visible when fighting.
f. Helmet
The western helmet is of a spangen-type construction. It is made of 16 ga. steel and has a leather liner sewn in and a bronze buckle on the strap.
A picture of the helmet in use can be found at:
http://www.vikingsna.org/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=2312
g. Shield
The shields pictured are constructed from 3/8" plywood with formed (not raised) bosses. The handles on the back are constructed with a steel bar and a wooden handle. All construction is accomplished with steel rivets.
The rear of the shiled is also shown below, and should probably be covered with fabric as well (to disguise plywood construction).
The edging is cut from a large rawhide and affixed with steel carpet tacks.
The color scheme is based on that of my local Vikes group "Norsa".
Additional pictures of other shields of mine can be be found at:
http://www.vikingsna.org/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=2274
h. Seax or Knife
The combat Saex is a Paul Binn's and has a tooled leather sheath (admittedly hung upside down)
The eating knife is a Paul Chen and can be seen here with my horn spoon.
Hand-axe is approximately sword length and has a ash-handle. For safety purposes the head is affixed from bottom up. A rawhide wrap immediately below the head both helps secure the head and protect the handle during combat parries.
Sword
The sword is a Paul Binn's Type M (appropriate between the mid 9th through the third quarter of the 10th C.) The scabbard is made with a wooden core and covered with a vegetable tanned leather skin.
The decoration on the scabbard and on the baldric can be seen in greater detail here:
Newly added here is the buckle plate on the baldric.
Short spear
The single handed spear is a Paul Binn's with a reinforced central ridge. It is affixed to a rounded octagonal ash pole. The total length is approximately 5'6".
Long spear
The two-handed spears are both a Binn's similar to the single handed and a bladed spear (though rounded and blunt, without a central ridge). They both are approximately 7'6".
j. Hat/Hood
Though not included in the Viking Warrior assessment, I have included pictures of my hat and of my hood.
The hat is made of wool and is based off of Thora Sharptooth's page at: http://www.cs.vassar.edu/~capriest/manshat.html
The hood is based off of the Bocksten find and is supported on Gotlandic picture stones. This should probably have a closure at the chin and needs a decorative stitch around the bottom edge.
A picture of me wearing the hood can be found here.
As I understand, things included here are several examples of things that differ in this costume from "standard" Viking.
Baggy Trousers
See above.
Decoration & Embroidery
See above.
Helmet
Note: While not acceptable for Hastings re-enactment or other British history focused events, I have included a picture of my continental style helmet. It is a reconstruction based upon a piece from Gnezdovo, a late viking Russian find. There is some question of whether or not this helm would have had a plume.
Additional pictures of this helmet in use can be found at: http://www.vikingsna.org/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1698
This portrayal is obviously not a high-status warrior. He is, however, well-armed and armored by the nature of his employment. He strives, as well, to better equip himself, and as such, I have included some of the higher-status items, without necessarily having a complete kit of this rank.
a. Cloaks and mantles
Rectangular cloak shown in the photo at the top of this page is made from fine blue wool and lined with a heavier grey wool in a herringbone weave.A close up can be seen here of the edge (admittedly with a saxon brooch, picture to be replaced using ringpin pictured above).
b. Sword
See above.
c. Helmet
See above.
d. Embroidery & Decoration
See examples throughout for decoration on scabbards and leatherwork and embroidery on garments.
e. Jewellery & Accessories>
See above for brooches, pendants, and cross.
Also included in decorative elements is a leather belt with bronze plates, inspired by the Birka finds.
Newly added at the recommendation of the authenti-team is a Birka pouch. More animal head mounts are to be added on the front strap to bring it more in line with the original.
f. Armour
Maille is made from non-galvanized wire and is butted. More authentic would be riveted. Better pic, coming soon!
Pictures coming soon!