Life and Death in the Viking-Age
Who we are
Vikings of Middle England is a Viking re-enactment group based in Leicester, UK. We are focused on faithfully portraying the lives and culture of the peoples of the Early medieval period in Britain from the 8th to 11th centuries. Our group consists of people from all walks of life, united by a shared passion for history. We aim to provide both educational and entertaining experiences, bringing the sights, sounds, and stories of the Viking-Age to life for audiences of all ages.
Our Mission
We are dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of the Viking-Age in Britain, an oft misunderstood period of our history. Through “living history” displays, exciting battle re-enactments, and interactive demonstrations, we aim to teach people about ‘Viking’ life, the complexities of ‘Viking’ society, and the legendary raids that shaped early medieval Europe. Our mission is to inspire a sense of wonder and curiosity about the past.
Living History
We make our Living History displays breathe, as the Viking-Age families and craftsmen go about their daily routines, from cooking and weaving to blacksmithing and candle-making. Many of the craftsmen also produce goods for sale and this adds yet another dimension as the true feel of the Viking-Age market permeates.
The audience is invited to wander into the living history area and see the various activities and artifacts at first hand, and in many cases to have a go themselves. There is always a member of the society on hand to answer any questions and there's a high chance for a dramatic scenario to play out in the camp: maybe a thief is caught and punished by the Jarl; the abbot delivers a fiery sermon; or perhaps the warband is called to war — the possibilities are endless!
Our Living History display can include everything from pop-up history exhibits or the small tented encampment of the roving war band, to a more extensive "Village" incorporating our many crafts displays, have-a-go activities and information points, or even a full-size stockade, where its defenders are awaiting the onslaught of the forthcoming siege.
Battle Re-enactment
We are most famous for our frighteningly realistic, exciting and entertaining combat displays: the thunderous clash of steel as opposing forces meet, war cries mingling with the screams of the dying, the visual effect is stunning.
Our fighting routines are a carefully balanced mix of flamboyant and rehearsed combats and unscripted "free fights" where the warriors gritty determination and extensive training in the use of the weapons of the Viking-age come to the fore.
Combat displays can be sized to suit any event; a small number of highly skilled, trained and rehearsed warriors can provide much higher quality entertainment and suit your event better than would vast numbers of seasonal participants. At larger events, Vikings Of Middle England may be able to erect a stockade or other fortification and use cavalry to add an extra dimension to the display. We take audience and participant safety extremely seriously, and you can always be sure that your event will be approached with the professionalism and expertise it deserves.
Our Living History Displays
Armoury
Our armoury is a perfect place to learn about Viking-Age weaponry and includes a set of replica shields, weapons and armour to examine.
Able to set up in almost any space, indoor or outdoor, members are on hand to demonstrate and explain the production and use of the items in a safe and interactive setting.
For our younger audience, we have blunt demonstrator weapons and shields to handle and helmets and chain mail to wear so they can pose with their best Viking war faces!
Coin Mint
Everyone likes to make money, and at our coin mint our audience can do just that! Here the audience can strike their own replica Viking coin based on original designs (small fee charged).
The moneyer can explain how coins are made, what they are used for, and what the grizzly penalty is for counterfeiting or stealing the King's silver!
You can learn a little more about money and trade in the Viking-Age over on our blog ↠
Textiles
The textiles display presents an amazing opportunity to learn about one of the most fundamental activities for survival in the Viking-Age, and an activity that is carried out in almost every early medieval household.
Have a go at spinning yarn from freshly carded fleece, learn about the process of making linen cord from flax and hemp, see demonstrations of weaving on our warp-weighted loom, making colourful braid with tablet-weaving and see how Vikings accessorised with nålbinding socks and mittens.
You can read a but more about Viking-Age textiles over on our blog ↠
Whitesmith
The whitesmith makes jewellery and accessories from non-ferrous metals such as silver.
Primarily an outdoor display, with our portable charcoal forge, the whitesmith demonstrates the casting process. From simple soap stone molds, through lost wax casting, each stage of the process can be seem and explained.
In areas where it's not possible to have a fire, the whitesmith can demonstrate other techniques, such as wire-knitting and punched decoration using the hammer and anvil. Finished items are available to buy at the event.
Writing and Runes
With the Christianisation of the peoples of Britain before the Viking-Age and the conversion of the Scandinavian people towards the end of the Viking-Age, the church spread the latin alphabet, producing beautiful illuminated manuscripts and comprehensive legal texts.
Our Calligraphy display demonstrates the writing of early medieval texts, how to make quill pens, prepare parchment, and use pigments to make inks and paints. The audience is invited to write their own letters and to explore runes — Old English and Old Norse alike — still used around latin manuscripts, and on runestone memorials or tally-sticks to record merchant transactions.
Games and Pastimes
While there was certainly less leisure time for the average early medieval person that today, there's still excellent evidence of play. Children's toys, sports passed down and mentioned in later literature, dice for all sorts of games, and gaming pieces for 9 Men's Morris, Hnefatafl (sometimes called 'Viking Chess') and backgammon. Find our more about Viking games on our blog ↠
As well as being able to talk to our knowledgeable members about the history of the games and activities Viking-Age people got up to, the audience can pit themselves against each other using our replica gaming sets, or try and beat our resident gaming expert.
Kitchen
Perfect for outdoor events, our kitchen is our largest shelter and represents the hearth of a Viking-age house. All manor of displays operate from the kitchen, where members' interest in different early medieval production methods are demonstrated and tested.
Our brewer displays and explains the crops and precesses of making ale, wine and mead, and when these things are consumed; a cheese-maker uses raw milk to produce skyr throughout the day; there'll be cauldrons of bubbling stew tended by the house-wife; children are encouraged to have a go at grinding flour on our mill that we use to make flat breads; hungry Vikings will be cooking meat on iron skillets for breakfast; while there may be a chance to hear a story, music or riddle from our skald.
Blacksmith
A critical member of the community in the Viking-Age, the blacksmith produced all the ironwork needed for farming, domestic living and warfare.
Being able to identify and smelt ore, work at the right temperature, and inject the right amount of carbon to make hard steel edges was a skill honed over generations.
Our blacksmith demonstrates the process of making knives, arrowheads and other small items: it's a popular display as the magic of turning unformed shapes into intricate objects unfolds.
We have many other displays as member interests develop: currently woodworking displays, candle-making demonstrations, monastic orders pop-up history, musical instrument demonstrations, hunting and fishing talks and objects, fur-traders and merchants show their wares, and death and burial practices are explored. All displays are subject to the availability of our volunteers. We will always seek to provide a minimum complement of exciting and informative exhibits — contact us to discuss what we can offer.
Drama and Pageant
Over the years we have developed our own unique method of presenting history to the audience.
Using a rolling scenario format, we are able to combine dramatic scripts, formidable combat and improvisation in a professional and convincing blend of education, entertainment and excitement. This formula has proved most successful and in part accounts for the high profile and excellent reputation that the group enjoys.
Threading events together and weaving a superb story is what adds extra value to our displays ‐ no one else offers this polished and highly entertaining format.
In addition to our full day format, we can offer smaller-scale performances that are no less dramatic. A Viking duel — Holmganga — is a great accompaniment to any event, especially at dusk with a torch-lit procession and bonfire.
Special Effects and Sound
War was, and is a vile, horrific and bloody spectacle: life in the Viking-age was hard, with debilitating maladies and injuries often fatal. The use of special effects aims to highlight this aspect of life and death, and add to the sense of drama. As an option available to the event organiser, we can employ special effects such as blood, make-up effects for wounds and diseases etc., and film quality props.
With access to mains power, we can also offer the use of our PA system. With powerful speakers, radio microphones and music mixing possible, we bring the audience even closer to the noise and atmosphere of battles and performances.
Want to get involved? Find our more about joining ↠
