Dave,
I have to say your group has some of the best looking kit of any I've seen from any period, it was also very cool seeing you guys at Sutton Hoo over the previous two years, its like the dead king and his bodyguard back from the barrow.
Nick

Hi Nick

Thanks for the kind words,and I'm sure the guys will appreciate your compliments although in truth there are many other great groups equally enthusiastic in there own period of interest.

At sutton Hoo and Marle we where also present with Ulfhednar Germany fellow members

At home we do have other recreations and assemblages in the planning and manufacturing process which we hope will be ready for next year.

We will be present at the Kelmarsh Living History festival in support of the Portable antiquities Scheme next weekend so do keep an eye out if your there with the Vik.

best wishes
Dave

Dave,
I look forward to seeing your new stuff!
Unfortunately I don't believe the Vik will be at Kelmarsh in the same force as last year, and I'm it missing due to an ill timed holiday :( . But anyway I hope it will be as much fun as last year to those that do go.
Nick

This thread has been wonderful to read! I originally came to it hoping to find information on early Viking Age (800 to about 830) not metallic armor. Now I am very very curious about the leather robe like garments you guys are wearing. How widespread was their use? Are there any fragments/remains of them or are they only known from period art?
-Pete

Just before the recent Aland Vikingmarket I got my new underarmour garment finished. It's design is based on the images from the decorated plates on the helmets of this period, and it was done by a fellow forumite - many hours of sewing by hand went into project after many hours of research (many thanks to Paul Mortimer for his help with the design and invaluable information from his own experiences with the leather version of the garment). It was decided early on that the garment will be made from several layers of wool sandwitched between linen layers, with thickness of wool layers varying, depending on the position on the body - more layers on the shoulders, less on the area of arm that is protected by splinted bracer (based on Valsgarde 8 grave design). I have to say that this style of underarmour garment is extremely comfortable to wear, even in hot weather (it was bloody hot during the event), and probably would offer at least some measure of protection by itself.

Anyways, here is how it looks with me wearing borrowed Sutton-hoo helmet.

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That looks great! It must have taken long indeed to sew something like that. I imagine it very likely would provide decent protection, at least against cuts. Is there any evidence for how long such garments were in use?

-Pete

Thanks, I'll have to do some study on those. Hopefully my efforts will turn out as well as yours did. :)

-Pete

The warrior coat looks excellent, Artis.
Even my leather version is reasonably comfortable in hot weather and great when it is cold.

Well done -- great tailoring.


Paul

I just looked through the arguments about the battle worthiness of helms.
how often do you think some one got a free swing at a migration era king or prince ?
the intimidation factor seems to be there in spades.
not just the imagery of the helm but the the idea a warrior gained his wealth from doing his job (killing people) and a rich display meant he was very good at his job.
this may not stop a very brave person (but most people are not very brave) but if the average warrior had second thoughts about facing such a hero their hesitation could be turned in to their death if the warrior was actually skilled.the more timid my avoid the person all together. these factors would seem to have a very real effect on surviving a battle even if the helm was made of paper :)

Couldn't have said better myself Matt. And again while the spear was the primary weapon,the primary defence was the warrior's shield, not necessarily his helm or any body armour. The helms are much more then just body protection, but also display items that signify and legitimise the wearers standing as war and cult leader.

It should also be said that many of these leaders did come to their own particular end on the battle field!

best
Dave

Yes, early medieval kings were not that untouchable on the battlefield since they mostly had to personally lead their warriors in a fight. So they definitely need both functional and impressive looking armor.

It should also be said that many of these leaders did come to their own particular end on the battle field!

best
Dave[/quote]



normally because things went to hell in a big way (blunders and bravado)
on a archery light shield slog you would be hard pressed to take out one of these guys until you broke his unit . I remember that there was a major Germanic prejudice against hearth-man who fled the sight of their ring-givers death with out avenging that death.That lord gave you your wealth and status and his continued well being was often more dear than your own life.
and on the other hand having a dozen guys who are willing to die if need be to keep you alive could make for some heroic exploits
the lord knows no matter what those guys got his back... See Blunders & Bravado
:D

See the OE poems 'The Battle of Maldon' and 'The Wanderer' which I think best sum up this heroic ideal...,' heart the harder' etc

best
Dave