My last visit to the regions historical past was to see what the Anglo Saxons were up to. This weekend it was the turn of those piratical invaders, the Vikings.
Contrary to popular belief, the invaders only consolidated their position in East Anglia after a number of raids at the end of the eighth century. They didn’t settle en-masse. After over-wintering they marched towards York where they founded the town of Jorvik which eventually became a kingom. The inhabitants of East Anglia (a mixture of Anglo Saxons and remnants of the Iceni tribe – of Boudicca fame) soon made peace and the those Danes that didn’t march north settled with the locals. The Danes still continued to raid until the Norman invasion in 1066.
The weekend brought the inevitable couple of battles and skirmishes but on the whole it was a peacable affair with the reenactors enjoying their own company and only too willing to share knowledge with us strangers.
There wasn’t too much to see in the way of cutting tools, but there was some nice leather work going on…
…and cordeage making.
Wood working was in abundance with a couple of simple but effective pole-lathes in use.
The tented abodes were full of wool fleeces and someone had even brought along their double bed (left of shot). They don’t travel light these Norsemen!
I came away with a nicely made leather pouch and a drinking horn that will no doubt be filled with ‘shrafting juice at the next meet.
The little tented village showed a diverse selection clothes and activities and I couldn’t help comparing this to our own meets. Just a bunch of like minded people getting together for a weekend and enjoying life to the full.
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Looks like it was a good time. Of course, one of those Anglo Saxon tribes, in fact the first one to arrive, the Jutes, were Danish too in all probability
Hi Mr P
Yet another most enjoyable read, are you sure you want to end this site for Woodlife? I understand (I think!) the reason behind it but it seems such a shame to sort of loose such a great site, the social networking side of the web has its place but so has this!
See you over the otherside!
Regards
Sailor (Clive)
Mirius, I think you’re absolutely right. But I think the Jutes occupied a little further South to where I live. I think they settled in the Hampshire, Kent and Isle of White area. I think the Angles occupied further North including my area which is called East Anglia.
Sailor, I’m not going to close up the blog in the foreseeable future (except when I go on holiday!) Thanks for your comments.
I’m sure I saw the guy working the pole-lathe in a Disney film once?
Maverick,
Don’t say that too loud. You’ll start another invasion! He’s got plenty of friends with sharp pointy things …and they looked pretty mean from where I was standing!
Thank you for the great pic’s and commentary. My ancestors include people from both Anglia and Yorkshire, including some with the Norse name (I believe) Kettlewell.
Superb stuff, it really stirs something.