The weather turned nasty on Bank Holiday Monday, making the woods a “no-go” on account of the very strong winds, so Mrs P and I decided to take a short trip to West Stow. This is a reconstructed Anglo Saxon village c450 with a small visitor centre.

Braving the elements, we walked around the visitor centre and we were pleased to see that reenactors had taken over the village for the weekend. We were able to take shelter in some of the buildings where a good fire was on the go (and some delicious smelling stew – unfortunately not available to the likes of us).

There were demonstrations of cooking, weaving and weaponry. I took particular interest in the Seaxes (the knives), axes and clothing.

Each person would have a two or three knives on their person. This made me feel better as I normally have the same. They carried a small utility knife called a hadseax (2 -4 inches), a couple of longer knives (also used for fighting) of between 6 and 14 inches. One of these were worn dangling horizontally on a belt in front of the person. The blade would have been uppermost presumably to save the edge.

A spear was used for hunting and was also the primary fighting weapon. In rare cases a long sword was also carried into battle. Bows were used for hunting but rarely used in battle. The “honour” of being face to face with the enemy made the bow virtually redundant apart from larger battles where it was used almost as a “sniper” weapon to pick off vulnerable enemy.

Each tool had a dual purpose, and the axe was no different. Each cutting tool was used for domestic purposes as well as for use for fighting (apart from the sword which was used only in battle by those who could afford one).

The reenactors showed some fighting techniques including the shield wall.

The battle masks were also interesting and copies of some of the helmets showed remarkable workmanship. Mrs Pablo insisted on trying one on in the visitor centre. “Very fetching, dear.”

Each person carried a large leather pouch and sometimes a couple of smaller pouches to carry personal effects and of course flint and steel in the traditional “C” shape for firelighting.

I came away with a small hand forged 2″ seax that I intend to sharpen up, modify slightly and use as a neck knife. The shape is interesting and is described as “broken back” and is based on one or two found on site in the burial areas. This showed how personal they considered the Seax to be. The shape is believed to be more effective for the fighting element as opposed to the utility purpose. Interestingly, Saxon may be derived from Seax making the Saxons “The Knife People”.

The visit has jolted me in to realising that I’m still using a lot of technical kit and clothing and perhaps I should to try out more natural materials (without going around and looking like an Anglo-Saxon reenactor that is). It has also inspired me to have a go at making some more stuff myself. I think I’ll give the mask as miss though!

“Darling, you can take that mask off now. Oh sorry, you have”.

Monday should see a write up of a weekend spent with “The Tribe” in East Sussex. Until then.

Pablo.

The Norsemen Invade (again)

Pablo — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 15:59:56 +0000

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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The Norsemen Invade (again)