Summary:

We have put this Gear Guide together in advance to avoid too much discussion during the authenticity and safety check to be held on Thursday evening. Participants should be equipped as Vikings of about 1000 years ago. Out of period and foreign equipment will not be allowed unless marked otherwise in this guide. The costume, jewellery and weapons of each person should be harmonious. This guide refers to male costume only, fighting females may dress as males.

Male costume consists of Kyrtle(s), shirt, trousers, cloak, headwear, shoes, socks, belt(s), jewellery, pouch(es), etc. also armour, helmet and weapons. Clothes should be of wool or linen, with limited silk, leather and fur. Colours should be limited to those possible with plant dyes. Kyrtles should come to mid thigh or below, flared or split beneath the waist. Trousers can be tight fitting, loose or baggy. Puttees, leggings, crossbands and needlebound socks are permitted. Headwear includes caps and hats of cloth, felt or leather and wool hoods.

Shoes or boots of upto calf length should be worn. Iron age sandals, rubber soles and hobnails are permitted. Disguised modern footwear will not be allowed.

Most belts should be fairly narrow. Buckles and strap ends should be mostly of bronze.

The scrammaseax can have a total length upto about 65 cm. It is not generally appropriate as a primary weapon. The spear can have a total length of 250 cm. Winged spears are permitted, double winged spears are not. As a primary weapon, its use is most appropriate to a common soldier. The hand axe as a primary weapon is most appropriate to a common soldier, not the upper classes. The Daneaxe would only be used by a wealthy professional soldier. The sword can have a total length of upto about 80 cm. Both 2 edged and single edged variants are allowed, but are most appropriate to wealthy individuals. Scabbards are encouraged, and are a necessity for armoured people. Javelins will not be allowed to kill during the battle, bows and arrows can not be used.

Shields should be round with a centre grip and boss. Metal edges will not be allowed.

Mailshirts, lamellar and quilted armour is restricted to the relatively wealthy. These should not exceed thigh length. Square section mail links will be allowed.

Gjermundbu style and conical helmets are allowed. Typical Vendel and Slavic pointed helmets and early Saxon helmets not. Separate mail coifs can not be used either. Simple, functional leather and composite helmets can be worn.

In the interests of safety, all weapons must be blunt (minimum 2 mm edge) with rounded tips. Metal parts of weapons should be clean, smooth and of reasonable quality steel. No sharps of any kind will be allowed on the field during combat. Gloves are a necessity, armguards are encouraged.

Introduction:

Dating.

The battles are set a thousand years ago, at the closing of the tenth century. This allows a wide variety of ornamental styles as well as copies of most Viking-age finds. 11th. century based equipment is OUT unless marked otherwise in this guide.

Participants.

It is a fight amongst Vikings, which excludes groups wearing non-Viking equipment. Non-Scandinavian participants should therefore avoid wearing their most fancy Slavic, Wendish, Frankish or Anglo-Saxon pieces of equipment and fall hack on what they have, neutral if they don't possess typical Viking copies. If an authenticity check raises doubts, the only way to get your borderline kit passed is to come with background information on it. The only people who may dress differently, are those for whom it is impossible to look European because of the colour of their skin.

Characters.

Historical research shows that the Viking was not the rough, uncivilised barbarian as the world's general impression is, even now. Observers in the Middle Ages comment on the great care the Viking took over his general appearance. The number of combs found on Viking sites show a deep concern for grooming. Personal hygiene kits, some highly decorative, have been found in both male and female graves. On the many carvings the Vikings made, they show themselves with nice hair cuts; shaved or with well formed moustaches and often a neatly pointed beard.

Dressing for war was, in the Viking age, not so much a matter of uniform or camouflage but an expression of wealth and pride. The warrior would appear in his finest and most noticeable clothing. They were recognised at a distance by characteristic items of dress. The intention often appears to be the advertisement rather than concealment of their presence. The ordinary people called in, for example, to defend were on the other hand not as happy about taking part and would therefore come in simple, good quality but sober clothing. Your kit is supposed to be a collection of items that fit together in both function and social standard or ‘price class’. Find yourself a character and make, buy, find, steal or borrow clothing in appropriate materials and colours, footwear, belts, jewellery, armour and weapons that are suitable for him.

About this guide. In the following pages you will find an open kit guide. This guide discusses the various pieces of equipment. It describes their general appearances and what fits with the various social classes. The reference number you find between <..> refers to one usually easily available source. Often a Note: is added which contains specific information for the reenactrnent, or for safety or other reasons. Because 98% of the fighters will be dressed as male, this article is restricted to men's clothing.
Chapter 1 describes the items made out of textiles.
Chapter 2 complementary and decorative elements.
Chapter 3 fighting gear.
The guide ends with a list of references in order of appearance.

Chapter 1:

Textiles.

Only scraps and bits of clothing have been found. They reveal information about the textile itself the stitching and colours. The weave is made in a 1 by 1, 1 by 2, 2 by 2, fishbone or diamond pattern <1, 2>. The last two are not worn by the poorest characters because of the value of a regular pattern.

Wool was probably cheapest; stronger but cooler is linen. Poor people wear one layer, preferably of simple cut, not too fine quality or too much material (costs) nor too fine stitching. Wealthier characters can wear several layers when it is cold, and will use both linen and wool of good quality. Silk is a textile that has been imported. It was so rare that clothes probably only were decorated with bits of this fabric <3>. Complete silk costumes should therefore be avoided.

Kyrtles.

If we want to look at clothing style we have to look at contemporary representations such as the figure pendants, picture stones, tapestries, woodcarving and such. Although there is no tradition of realism in Viking art, it does give information about general styles. Usually a man's (outer) kyrtle came down to between halfway along the thigh to the knee. The woodcarvings on the Oseberg wagon, though <4> show short kyrtles, while the Oseberg tapestry <5> shows ankle long kyrtles. (The Oseberg finds are dated to the mid 9th century.) The part below the hip, the skirt, could be plain and unopened, flaring from the waist (illuminations of the invasion of England by Ivar the Boneless, dated to approx. A.D 1 000 <6>). Other possibilities are; splits in the front and back, as on the Oseberg tapestry <5>, openings at the sides as in the Viborg Shirt <7>, many narrow strips (gussets) in contrasting colours or maybe pleated, as on the Ledberg rune stone <4>, but this last one is only for the rich. Necks could be round <6>, or square as on the Viborg Shirt <7>. If several layers are worn, the underkyrtle will probably be visible from under the overkyrtle, as an expression of wealth.

Trousers.

The most common model according to the picture stones, the Oseberg tapestry and other sources, is tight fitting <4, 5>, rnaybe socks or loops around feet were sewn on to them (thus the legs will remain unwrinkled) as in earlier and later dated trousers <6>. Another model is a pair of trousers with straight wide legs as shown on the Tjangvide picture stone <3>. These models will do for all classes; just check against cloth type and quality. The baggy. so called Rus-Viking trousers, visible on the Larbro picture stone <8> and found in Hedeby <2> were probably closed under the knee. Because of the huge quantitv of fabric, Rus-Viking trousers are only for the wealthy. Puttees, leggings and crossbands. Puttees are bands which protect trousers and legs against ripping by thorns and bushes <9>. They were worn by all classes. The poor will have had them made of scraps of textiles, sewn into a long band while the rich would have them woven in one piece.

Leggings are both known from the illuminations of Ivar the Boneless <6> and from the sagas. This last source tells that socks were sewn on to them <8>. They were probably made out of wool or strong linen, it is not known how they were fixed on to the leg. Leggings were also worn by all classes <6>. Crossbands are leather bands or tongues that are attached to the shoe to hold these or socks up <3>. They end above or under the knee <4> but it is unknown how they were fixed. Crossbands are uncommon and not for the poor.

Cloaks.

Cloaks were rectangular, square or half-round of shape. They can be seen worn by warriors <8> though usually not in combat. They were usually closed on the shoulder of the swordarm with a cloak pin. The length can vary a lot, from hip to ankle <1, 5>.

Colours.

One of the ways to show wealth or pride is to appear as colourful as one can. The social standard of your character therefore dictates the colours used in your clothing. Undyed wool is white, grey or brown. These colours would only be used by the poorest people.

Wool can be (plant) dyed readily, and can take a strong, clear colour. Colours that are easy, to make are yellows, browns, orange, and brown-greens. Their use would be fairly widespread. It takes more time to make blues and clear reds. Therefore textiles in these colours would have been more expensive and were only used by those wanting to be noticed: the proud warriors. Scarlet, purple and black are so difficult to make that probably no one but a King or Jarl would wear them, on a battlefield or elsewhere.

Unbleached, undyed linen is light gray. This is the cheapest form. It only gets (nearly) white when bleached. Dyed linen can be coloured as wool, but not as clear or bright. Silk takes colours well but thick cloth is difficult to dye evenly <10, 11>.

Decoration of clothing.

Tablet woven braids are said to be decoration for the richer part of society, they are widespread in rich graves. These braids show that Viking age technique was one where the tablets were turned individually and sometimes woven with silver or gold. These techniques gave complicated patterns unlike those that come forth out of the modern technique where all tablets are turned at the same time <1, 2>. Note: - Although the last technique is inauthentic is it allowed as long as it is made of the correct materials. - The textiles used were wool, linen and silk. - Tablet woven edges on woven textiles probably went out of use after the iron age. Clothing made using this technique will be permitted (if not encouraged - due to the dating) <1>.

Embroidery was a technique available for the poor to decorate edges or seams of clothing with a visible thread in a different colour, as on the Mammen pillow <1>. The rich have used both this technique and full figure embroidery by filling in patterns or symbols as drawings. On the Mammen cloak both the outline and the filling in is done with the so-called contour stitch <1>. Note: Pattern styles: preferably in the styles of Oseberg/Broa, Borre, Jelling, Mammen, Ringerike <4>. But we also allow the Urnes and simple types of Celtic knotwork borders.

Decorative use of cloths of contrasting colours around neck, hem, sleeves or in gussets is acceptable (illuminations of the invasion of England by Ivar the Boneless <6>), Ledberg rune stone <4>). Note: - If somebody has been so energetic as to embroider using the so-called Bayeux stitch <13> the garment will be permitted (if not encouraged - due to the dating).

Hats, caps and hoods.

All classes of the Viking population would have used head protection against sun, rain and cold. Hats are found in variations. In Birka, a hat with fur on the rim has been found, which was probably influenced by Eastern fashions <9>. Hats of felt are described in various sagas and Odin is said to have worn a broad-brimmed version as part of a disguise <9>. Ivar the Boneless and one of his men seem to wear needlebound hats <6>.

Several hoods have been found, usually of wool but some of silk <2, 9>. It is most likely that these hoods were only worn by the rich because they require a lot of fabric. Take care to choose a type of textile that fits the character. Note: - Although not found, hats made of thin calf or goat leather are of course an obvious possibility.

Chapter 2:

Complementary and decorative elements.

Shoes.

The poorest characters may have walked around without foot protection, but I expect that most of the participants nowadays are not used to going around and fighting barefoot. A lot of Viking shoes have been found. They were usually made out of thin goat or calf leather, and came to low or mid-calf. The stitching was done inside out. Typical characteristics are the slightly upwards pointing tip and sole, coming from the separately sewn on soles, though not all are like this. Besides these, there are mid calf and high boots found with completely closed shafts, or with a buttoned opening on the side <2>. Note: Because authentic shoes are a pain in the butt to make or get hold of and they wear out quickly, you can get away for the moment with: - The common Roman or iron-age sandal allowed <1> (but without modern knitted socks!) - To protect the sole can you wear leather profile strips, rubber and plastic soles (but no modern, machine stitched shoes!), as long as it doesn't look modern. - Iron hobnails to prevent slipping. - The sole can be sewn on with outside stitch.

Belts.

Poor people would have none, or belts with simple bone, antler <14> or D-shaped iron buckles <15> maybe without strap ends. The leather belt would be rather narrow (material costs or could be put to other uses). Only a very small percentage of the many buckles found are wider than 2,5 cm. People with some money would have one or more belts with bronze buckles and strap ends and many of these would be simple ones without much decoration. Only a few would have richer work such as silver, silver plating or gilded bronze on their belts <3>.

Pouches.

Viking age pouches are known from both men and women's graves. They were used to hold coins, weight leads, fire steels, game pieces, amulets and car keys. They exist in various shapes. The simplest version was the drawstring pouch, a thin disc of leather closed by a string through holes in the rim. It would be used by the poor, or the more wealthy could use it for coins <9>.

A more elaborate version is one with a flap covering the top and front, this flap often being decorated with bronze fittings and closed with a leather belt end. It could be hung from a belt or worn within clothing. This type was found all over Sweden both in men and women's graves <15> and could also be made of cloth.

Another elaborate, high status form featured a complete bronze edge and rings for hanging. This type could hang either from the hip or the shoulder <15>. A wallet-like pouch with several pockets, decorated with e.g. threads and gilded leather bands. This type is only known from Birka <15> and comes from the grave of a wealthy person.

Jewellery.

In the Viking age the most widely used material for jewellery and complementary elements of clothing was cast copper-alloys (called bronze out of habit, even if was technically some other alloy. This guide follows the habit). Next to this there was bone or antler, iron, silver or pure gold. Combinations like silver plated bronze possibly with niello, gilded bronze, enamelled bronze, bone or antler with silver inlay were not uncommon either. In this chapter references are not given because illustrations of these objects are so readily available.

Jewellery can be split up in functional and decorative items. For both groups the commonest material was bronze, especially for functional jewellry, because bronze is tougher than silver and gold. Functional items are belt buckles (see above), various pins and hooks, buttons, etc. Use was widespread. As well as bronze, a large variety of items were made of bone and antler. Heavy decoration was most common on cloak pins, because they were most visible. Buttons could also be made of glass and wood.

Decorative items such as pendants, brooches. (belt?) plates, finger rings and so on were made both out of pure bronze as well as silver plated bronze possibly with niello, gilded or enamelled bronze. Those are basically associated with the upper class graves. There are many amulets made out of bone and antler. Tin alloys, or tin plating or fills were used as imitation silver by the less wealthy middle classes. Those that could afford it wore such items as colourful glass beads, coins as pendants, miniature weapons, fire steels, toilet sets, etc. <15>. Here again, take care that the objects you wear fit with the character you have chosen.

Chapter 3:

Fighting gear.

Weapons.

Only blunt copies of Viking weaponry will be permitted, made of spring steel or equivalent, with a minimum 2 mm edge and rounded points, corners and edges.

The scrammaseax is an one edged knife that varies in total length upto ca. 65 cm <16>. The Scandinavian version is, unlike the Anglo-Saxon type, bowie-like and sharp at the rounded edge. The seax was a larger version of the everyday knife worn by all classes. The poor could use a knife as a primary weapon, second only to the spear <4, 15>.

The spear was one of the most common weapons of Viking weapons. Two broad classes exist; lighter weapons that could be used in one hand or thrown, and heavier weapons most often wielded with both hands. A chronological typology has been made by J. Petersen <16>. Note: - According to Petersen the types D, O, H, K, L and M are late 10 th century, and copies of these are recommended for the Moesgaard show; spears that differ too much will be disqualified; - The maximum overall length of spears at the Moesgaard market will be 250 cm.

The use of thrown javelins is restricted. They are only allowed;
-- as a special effect before the lines meet on the moment as commanded by the line commander.
-- because they cannot kill.
-- with a length of about 150 cm, diameter under 18 mm and with a rounded leather (or similar) tip based on a Petersen type G,H,KorM:
-- if accepted at the Moesgaard weapons check.
-- if thrown by people who have trained with them beforehand and are accepted at the Thursday evening meeting and after testing, as will be decided at this meeting.

The axe can be divided in two groups; the single handed axe and the two handed Dane axe. The single handed axe seems to have been both tool and weapon. Evidence can be found in the sagas, warrior grave finds and on the Tjangvide picture stone <3>. A chronological typology has been made by J. Petersen <16>. Note: - According to this the types E. K and L are late 10 th century and therefore recommended for the Moesgaard show. Axes that differ to much will be disqualified. -Hand axes can be used by all social ranks.

The two handed broad axe, called the Dane axe developed, according to Peterson, at the end of the 10 th century. It is a specialised item <9> and is restricted to the professional soldier and berserker.

The sword is the typical Viking warriors' weapon. Over 2000 have been found in Scandinavia alone. Blades were commonly between 70-80 cm long and 5-6 cm wide, designed for cutting rather than thrusting. In the first half of the Viking age only pattern welded blades were common. Later blades were of better quality, lighter and narrower. Swords were usually two-edged but at the end of the Viking age the single edged sword-seax appeared (especially in Norway). Swords and sword-seaxes were made to be wielded single handed. Our modern hand would only just fit in the grip. Note: - The chronological typology made by J. Petersen <16> shows that the types H, I, W, X and Y were used in the late 10 th century, though only the 11 th century types Z and AE will be discouraged for the Moesgaard show. - Again think about your full character, a sword was an object with a high value associated with quality clothing and shoes.

Bows are not to be used in the Moesgaard show.

Scabbards. Scrammaseaxes and swords should be worn in a wooden scabbard or a leather one that looks like a wooden scabbard. Sword scabbards of the early Viking period were hung on a strap across the body. Later scabbards could be hung from a sword belt on the waist <9>. The stitching that closes the leather is along the back of the scabbard. The tip of the scabbard used to be protected by a chape, usually caste out of bronze <17, 3>. Seax scabbards were suspended from the belt on two or more loops, so as to hang horizontally in front of the body, as visible on the 10 th century Middleton cross in Yorkshire <4>. Note: - Only people without armour will be allowed to have just a sword without a scabbard - Seax scabbards may as well hang on one loop from the belt so it hangs vertically down along the body.

Shields.

The typical Viking shield was a round center grip shield of oak or linden wood. The hand was protected by an iron shield boss. It has be assumed that many shields had metal rims <9> as the iron age shields at Moesgaard museum show, but none have ever been found. The diameter seems to have varied a lot, e.g. the shields from the Gokstad finds were 96 cm. According to most drawings on picture and rune stones though, they were rather small, down to approximately 40 cm. e.g. the Ledberg Rune-stone <11>. It could be that the artist has sacrificed strict proportions for the sake of producing a more detailed human subject.

Shields could be painted or covered with leather or rawhide. If painted, the everyday shield was in plain colours and apparently also divided into segments of contrasting colour in simple geometrical designs. The far more splendid ones, showing scenes from tales of gods and heroes decked the walls of kings and chieftains <8>. leather and rawhide could be fixed on the shield as reinforcement, but it would never be weighted down with metal. Note: - Shields should be round, flat or watchglass shaped, of wooden planks or plywood. - The diameter of shields used in Danish reenactment is normally between 60-80 cms.

For safety, rims are not to be reinforced with metal. Rawhide (dogchews) will function at least as well.
Shield bosses and grips may be affixed with bolts, but no sharp or modern bits should be visible.

Painted pattern styles; preferably in the styles of Oseberg/Broa, Borre. Jelling, Mammen, Ringerike <4>. But we also allow the Urnes and simple types of Celtic knotwork borders.

Armour.

Mail shirts were more common before the Viking age, possibly because the Vikings favoured a more mobile style of warfare. As they were very rare in finds they would probably only be used by the professional or more wealthy soldier. The rings had a diameter of 5-10 mm, 8-9 mm was most common. Mail shirts of very small rings may have been luxury armour worn only by chieftains. Usually the links of every second row were welded (rather than riveted) and slightly smaller. No complete Viking mall shirts have been found but it is likely that the shape was the same as in the iron age, the length from hip to halfway down the thigh, the sleeves short or to the elbow <18>. Those mail-shirts that come down to the knees and with long sleeves are 11 th century or later. Note: - Links should preferably be round sectioned, but square sectioned links will be allowed.

The existence of the leather hauberk or quilted jack is uncertain. Jacks that are interpreted as quilted jacks are shown on the Gotland tombstones <9>. Another source pointing out leather armour is Sturluson in the Heirnskringla. He speaks of a number of pieces (12-13) of reindeer hide body armour made by the Lapps that were used in the revolt against king Olaf the Saint. They were said to turn a blow as well as any mail shirt <8, 9>. Note: - All this sounds rather vague. Quilted leather or fabric jacks will be permitted. The models we use go down to half thigh and have no, or half long, sleeves. They are usually buckled down the back and should be used for the less wealthy warrior and pirate.

Lamellar armour is the last type known from Scandinavia in the Viking age. This is a shirt made out of partially overlapping iron plates (ca. 2.5 x 7 cm). It was supposedly thonged onto a leather or linen vest and is reconstructed like this in Birka; Sweden, where several lamellar armour plates have been found. Note: - Again, torso, or upper arm, upper leg and torso protection will be accepted. Although several plates have been found, they were all from Birka. thus probably uncommon. They should only be used by the wealthy warrior or chieftain in the Moesgård show.

Head protection.

The only Viking steel helmet ever found, in Gjermundbu, Norway, is a domed helmet. Helmets are often illustrated, f ex. the Sigtuna head in moose antler, the Rallinge Froj statue and the pendant heads from the Gnezdovo treasure <3>, carvings on the Ramsund rock and the Ledberg rune stone <4> or the pendant head from Valsgaard <19>. These presume that the common Viking helmet was not domed but conical. It is likely that they' were made out of triangular pieces of steel, riveted together, or on to reinforcement strips, like the Gjermundbu helmet. It usually has nasal protection in a simple shape, and can in addition have eyebrows cut out of the brow band like the Gnezdovo and Valsgaard pendants. The Gjermundbu helmet has spectacles, a spike on the top and probably had mail neck protection. Note: - All simple steel conical helmets with or without nasal protection are allowed, like the 10 th century Slavic or 11th century Norman helmets. - No highly pointed Slavic spangen helmets, Swedish Vendel helmets or English helmets like those from Coppergate or Sutton Hoo. - It is possible that these figures depicted leather helmets.

At the show a small number of leather helmets, or leather within an iron frame, will be allowed, but only if they are fairly functional, i.e. can take a blow as well as steel. In this case the warrior is not allowed to be dressed either as a rich soldier or a poor man. - Mail coifs are not accepted.

Acknowledgements:

Tracey and Oleg Zacharov are thanked for language correction and helpful comments.

References:

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2. Elsner H. Wikinger Museum Haitabu: Schaufenster einen fruhen Stadt; Archaologisches Landesmuseurn der Christian-Albrechts-Universitat Karl Wachholtz Verlag; Neumunster.

3. Else Roesdahl e.a. 1992 Viking og Hvidekrist Nordisk ministerraad og forfatterne; Kobenhavn.

4. Graham-Campbell J.1989 The Viking World Frances Lincoln Limited; London.

5. Hougen B. 1940 Osebergfunnets billedvev Saertryk af VIKING Tidskrift for norron arkeologi Bind IV

6. Cohat Y. e.a. 1993 Vikingerne havenes erobrere; Paris

7. Fentz M. En horskjort fra 1000-arenes Viborg KUML 1980.

8. Simpson J. 1976 Everyday life in Viking age B.T. Batsford Ltd; London.

9. Harrison M. 1993 Viking Hersir Osprey Military Warrior series 3; London

10. Henningsen I.M. 1974 Plantefarverens ABC Host & Sons Forlag; Kobenhavn

11. Nielsen E. 1977 Farv med planter pa silke, her, bomuld Reproset; Kobenhavn

12. Hansen E.IH. 1990 Brikvaevning - Historie, teknik, farver, monstre Hoveland; Hojbjerg.

13. Rud M. 1992 Bayeux Tapetet Christian Ejlers' Forlag; Kobenhavn

14. Ulbricht I. Von 1984 Ausgrabungen in Schleswig, Berichte und Studien 3 Karl Wachholtz Verlag; Neumunster

15. Vikingatidens ABC 1981 Statens Historiska Museum; Boras

16. Petersen J. 1919 De Norske Vikingesverd en typologisk-kronologisk studie over Vikingetidens vaaben; Kristiania. See: Links

17. Paulsen P. Schwertortbander der Wikingerzeit W. Kohlhammer Verlag; Stuttgart

18. Nicklasson P. Ringvav och saarsvett Om tilverkning och anvaendning av ringbrynjor AK 003 41-60; Lunds Universitets Historiska Museum

19. Heywood M. Viking Crafts Catalogue; Cheshire