Bjornstad Logo
The Vikings of Bjornstad


Authenticity Guide

Viking, Norman & Anglo-Saxon Reenactment
793 – 1066 AD


Version 1.5
Download a PDF of the Authenticity Guide here.

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this document is to act as the official guide for Reenactment Authenticity within the Vikings of Bjornstad. In the case of any potential conflict with the published Authenticity Guide of Vikings North America, our parent organization, the rules of the parent organization take precedence. All standards and guidelines will remain in effect until officially edited and a new Authenticity Guide is published; the exception being in the case of safety, or conflict with the Vikings of Bjornstad, Vikings North America Constitution, Local and National Laws and Ordinances.

This guide will act as the basic standard for all individuals participating in Viking reenactment within The Vikings of Bjornstad.

General Guidelines

The goal of this guide is to encourage and improve historical authenticity at reenactment and public events. Please consider this to be a living document. If you find any items not listed or as not acceptable it is because of a general lack of sources. If you have a source which supports any item not allowed or listed, please contact the Authenticity Officer with your pertinent information. We are more than happy to change the guide accordingly. Each change will be judged on a case by case basis, by the Authenticity Officer and The Vikings of Bjornstad Group Leader, using this guide and extant archaeological / historical finds.

As we strive towards a more accurate and historical appearance, we require our participants to minimize modern elements such as starkly dyed hair (which should be covered), piercings (taken out or covered, if visible), tattoos (which should be covered, if visible) and excessive make up (which should be avoided). Other items such as medical equipment (hearing aids and insulin pumps, etc.) should be covered to the greatest possible extent. We ask our participants to use contact lenses whenever possible, or at least wire or no frame glasses. We require our participants to re-enact the social gender of their choice and not to mix the two, other than in ways indicated in historical and archaeological sources. The Viking Age of 793-1066 AD was also, as far as we know, a hierarchical one. An individual’s clothing and personal items reflected that individual’s status and class. We therefore require our participants to keep their appearance in concert with their intended status. In other words, no peasants with swords and no richly dressed persons without shoes will be acceptable. If your re-enactment focuses on any other region than Viking Age Europe, please contact us directly as these guidelines center on the “Viking” ethos.

A note on clothing in the Viking Age...aside from what is listed below, keep in mind that there are geographical considerations to what you are wearing. Is your clothing from the same area or are you mixing and matching? If you are, be prepared to tell how you might be wearing a Rus kaftan in Ireland. Also, there are 6 styles of Viking art that correspond to different time periods within the Viking Age. If you’re portraying an 8th century Viking you shouldn’t be wearing jewelry from the end of the Viking Age. Please be consistent with your Viking kit, jewelry and clothing items.

The art of the Viking Age is organized into a loose sequence of stylistic phases which, despite significant overlap in style and chronology, may be defined and distinguished on account both of formal design elements and of recurring compositions and motifs:


Primary Art Styles:
  • Oseberg Style
  • Borre Style
  • Jellinge Style
  • Mammen Style
  • Ringerike Style
  • Urnes Style
Experimental Archaeology

Experimental archaeology (also called experiment archaeology and experiential archaeology) is a field of study which attempts to generate and test archaeological hypotheses, usually by replicating or approximating the feasibility of ancient cultures performing various tasks or feats. -Wikipaedia

In many instances we do not have enough concrete knowledge, available from extant archaeological finds, to make an accurate and informed decision as to whether or not the vikings did something or used a particular object in their daily lives. Archaeologists and others will sometimes utilize the methodology of experimental archaeology to see if something would have been possible to do or make in the viking age, given other examples of textiles or woodwork. As sometimes researchers, ourselves, we often extrapolate upon this information to determine a specific outcome based on available materials. While this is not hard archaeological evidence, it is certainly plausible that the vikings may have done or used things that we currently have no visible record or supporting findings.

In such an instance, it may be possible to utilize objects of experimental archaeology in viking reenactment, with the caveat that when describing or presenting the object, a disclaimer must be made that the object is not an accurate representation of viking era findings, but a modern experiment based on historical and archaeological information.


Some Useful Links:

General clothing: http://vikingageclothing.susannabroome.se/
Female headdresses: https://ciarsstitchintime.wordpress.com/2013/10/24/viking-age-head-coverings/
Smokkrs: http://urd.priv.no/viking/smokkr.html Trousers: http://urd.priv.no/viking/bukser.html
Leg wraps: http://miklagard.nvg.org.au/articles/legwraps1.htm
Shoes: http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~marc-carlson/shoe/SLIST2.HTM
Tablet-woven bands: https://www.pinterest.se/susannabroom/viking-age-clothing-tablet-woven-braids/
Fabric colors: https://www.pinterest.se/susannabroom/viking-age-clothing-colours-and-dyes/
Embroidery: https://www.pinterest.se/susannabroom/viking-age-clothing-embroidery-finds/
Tents and household items: http://www.vikingage.org/wiki/wiki/
Household Furniture: http://www.olvikthing.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Viking-Age-Furniture-16-223.pdf
Chests: http://www.olvikthing.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Viking-Age-Furniture-6-152.pdf
Wargear: http://www.vikingage.org/wiki/wiki/Wargear


Authenticity Guideline Chart

Legend
(C) – Common - recommended.
(UC) – Uncommon - not recommended.
(HS) – High Status - only for wealthy portrayals.

Female gear Materials Acceptable Not Acceptable
Head & neck gear Wool (C)
Felted wool (UC)
Linen
Silk (HS)
Dublin scarf
Dublin cap
Skullcap
Skjoldehamn hood (UC)
Veil Sprang hair net (UC)
Tablet woven head band
Bead necklace (HS)
Santa floppy hat
Nålbinding hats[7]
Under Garment Linen (C)
Wool (UC)
Undyed (C)
Dyed (HS)
Keyhole or oval neckhole (C)
Pleated dress (HS)
Small round brooch at throat (C)
Embroidery
Outer Garment Wool (C)
Silk (not entire garment, HS)
Keyhole or oval neckhole (C)
Simple tablet weave
Silver tablet weave (HS)
Silk hem/details (HS)
Embroideries/Tablet weave with unhistorical patterns
Leather garments without hair
Hangeroc & Brooches Linen (UC)
Wool (C)
Silk (not entire garment, HS)
Bronze (C)
Silver plating (HS)
Gold plating (HS)
Beads
Hangeroc without side-openings (C)
Shin length or longer
Overlapping wrap around hangeroc
Back train from Oval brooches (UC, HS)
Front panel (UC, HS)
Double layered tortoise brooches (C)
Single layered tortoise brooches
Chain hangings (C)
Tools hanging from brooches on chains or silk/linen loops (C)
Silver tablet weave/posament between brooches (UC, HS)
Two-panel hangeroc
Hangeroc without brooches
Large embroidery
Unhistorical checkered fabric [1]
Brooches other than paired ones
3 or more bead rows
Female wearing male jewelry and vice versa.
Belts & Bags Thin leather (C)
Wool
No belt (C)
Woven textile belt
Leather belt with metal buckle (UC)
Drawstring pouch
Wood panel bag
Split end leather belt
Belt wider than 4 cm or 1.5 inches
Over Garments Wool (C)
Linen (UC)
Silk (HS, not entire garment)
Fur (UC, not entire garment)
Overcoat, knee length or longer
Square shawl folded to a triangle
Rectangular shawl
Trefoil, disc-shaped or equal-armed brooch for fastening the above (C)
Semi-circular cloak (UC)
Leather coat/hood with hair left on (UC)
Fur hem (HS), Silk hem/details (HS)
Embroideries with unhistorical patterns
Cloak with hood
Entire fur pelts
Fur coats
Leather garments
Leg Wear Wool Bare legs
Sewn knee high hose
Nålbinding socks
Men’s trousers worn with dress
Leg wraps
Shoes Leather Low shoes or ankle-high shoes (C) Tall boots, Clogs
Male gear Materials Acceptable Not Acceptable
Head Wear Wool (C)
Felted wool (UC)
Linen (Lining) Silk (HS)
Skullcap
Dublin cap
Pointy hat with/without fittings (HS)
Skjoldehamn hood (UC)
Necklace with 2-3 beads [2] (UC)
Head band
Santa floppy hat
Bead necklaces
Bandana Beard beads
Nålbinding hats [7]
Under Garment Linen (C)
Wool (UC)
Undyed (C)
Dyed (HS)
Shirt tucked into trousers
Side split or gores
Keyhole or oval neckhole
Asymmetrical neckhole
Embroidery Front split, unless Norman Conroi
Outer Garment Wool (C)
Linen (HS) Silk (HS, not entire garment)
Keyhole or oval neckhole Asymmetrical neckhole
Simple tablet weave
Silver tablet weave (HS)
Silk hem/details (UC, HS)
Posament (HS)
Embroideries/ Tablet weave with unhistorical patterns
Leather garments without hair
Brooch at the throat, exception: Saxon & Norman
Entire silk garment
Diamond twill
Belts & Bags Linen (Lining)
Wool
Thin leather (C)
Bronze (C)
Silver (HS)
Gilded bronze (HS)
Silk (HS)
Split end leather belt
Buckled belt (C)
Magyar belt with metal fittings (HS)
Girdle (HS)
Birka-style belt pouch (HS)
Drawstring pouch
Wood panel bag
Bags of thick leather
Leather belt wider than 4cm/1.5 in.
Long hanging belt end
Over Garments Wool (C)
Linen (UC)
Silk (HS, not entire garment)
Fur (UC, not entire garment)
Klappenrock coat
Oriental caftan (HS)
Leather coat/hood with hair left on (UC)
Rectangular cloak (C)
Semi-circular cloak (UC)
Fur hem (HS)
Silk hem/details (HS)
Posament (HS)
Embroideries with unhistorical patterns
Cloak with hood
Entire fur pelts
Leather garments without hair
Large silk applications on caftans
Entire silk garment
Leg Wear Wool (C)
Linen (Baggy trousers, UC)
Thorsbjerg-type straight trousers, tight or with leg wraps (C)
Baggy trousers to the knee (HS)
Trousers/hose with integral feet (C)
Loose trousers
Nålbinding socks
Sewn knee high hose
Leg Wraps (C)
Baggy trousers to the ankle
Cross gartering
Shoes Leather Low shoes or ankle high shoes (C) Tall boots
Clogs
Camp Gear Material Acceptable Not Acceptable
Tents Wool (C)
Linen
Cotton/Canvas [3]
Oseberg A-frame tents
Geteld/Saxon tents
Lean-to shelters
Pavilions
Metal eyelets
Metal tent pole sockets
Stools, Chairs & Tables Wood 3 or 4-legged stools
4-legged or joint benches
Lewis Chess set style chairs (HS)
Lund style chairs (HS)
Oseberg style Chairs (HS)
Log chairs (HS)
4-legged tables
African "sungazer" chairs
Modern chairs covered with
a blanket, etc.
Beds & Bedding Wood
Wool
Linen
Oseberg beds
Gokstad beds
Woven blankets
Straw & Linen bedding
Any visibly modern
bedding, including
army cots
Cooking equipment Iron
Ceramics
Stone
Iron cauldrons & Long-handled skillets, Iron tripods
Ceramic cooking pots (C)
Soapstone cooking pots
Modern copper pots
Coffee boilers
Visibly modern fire pans [5]
Eating & Drinking Utensils Wood
Bone
Horn
Ceramics
Glass
Spoons & Ladles (C), Plates & Bowls (C), Drinking horns [4] with/ without silver fittings (HS)
Cups (C)
Glasses (HS, UC)
Pewter cups
Horn cups with flat bottoms
Water containers Wood
Iron
Ceramics
Copper
Buckets with wooden hoops (C)
Buckets with metal hoops (UC)
Ceramic pitchers (with tin details) (HS)
Copper pitcher (HS, UC)
Metal buckets
Fabric buckets
Chest & Boxes Wood
Iron
Sea chests
Bentwood boxes
Storage Chests [8]
Overuse of iron banding 19th century coffers
Light sources Iron
Ceramics
Bees wax
Oseberg oil-lamps
Ceramic fat-lamps (C)
Candles (C, HS)
Modern lanterns
Flashlights
Rawhide lanterns [6]
Arms & Armor Material Acceptable Not Acceptable
Helmets Steel/Iron Gjermundbu/Kiev types (HS)
Conical types (HS)
Gnezdovo/Bojna/Prague types (HS)
Great Polish/Russian helmets (HS)
Leather helmets
Vendel or Migration period helmets
Body Armor & Shields Steel/Iron Wood Riveted chainmail (HS)
Lamellar armor (HS, UC)
Round shields 60-110 cm diameter
Leather armor / greaves
Quilted gambesons
Sleeveless chainmail
Splinted Vendel armor
Shields <60 cm diameter
Kite shields
Large cumbersome gloves
One-handed weapons Wood
Steel/Iron
Silver/Gold
Axes
Swords (HS)
One-handed spears
Javelins
Sabres
Two-handed Weapons Wood
Steel/Iron
Silver/Gold
Two-handed spears
Dane axes (HS)
Bows
Battle scythes
Notes

[1] https://tempusestiocundum.wordpress.com/2014/07/23/val-rutet-en-kort-blogg-om-rutigt-pa-vikingatidoch-medeltid-del-1-check-it-out-a-short-blog-about-checkered-fabrics-in-viking-and-medieval-times-part1/

[2] https://halldorviking.wordpress.com/2014/11/12/did-viking-men-wear-necklaces/

[3] Due to the high percentage of cotton tents in the Re-enactment community we are going to allow cotton tents for the next few years. However by 2021, they should be phased out. No new tents can be made from cotton canvas. Whenever possible, existing tents should be remade from authentic materials.

[4] Not hanging from your belt!

[5] Fire pans must be hidden properly.

[6] Rawhide lanterns are a reenactorism, and will not be acceptable.

[7] Caps were made of wool, or sheepskin, or leather and fur. Some had earflaps for warmth. Typically, they were made in the Phrygian style, with four or more triangular pieces sewn together. There is currently no physical evidence for nålbinding hats in Scandinavia, regardless of other extant examples of period nålbinding. Two finds have been discovered on late 10-11 century German clerical reliquaries (St. Symeon and St Bernard of Clarivaux) that seem to indicate a head covering. For further information on hats in the Viking Age: https://dawnsdressdiary.wordpress.com/2015/03/11/norse-pillbox-hat/. Also see http://www.vikingage.org/wiki/wiki/Hats_%26_Hoods_(Men)#Skull_Caps.

[8] There is no current evidence of handles on large viking chests, whether of wood or iron. However, in deference to older (65+ years) individuals, exceptions may be made on a case by case basis, where the physical needs of the individual supercede the authenticity requirement. Additionally, an explanation to the general public must be made that there is no evidence of handles and that what is being presented is not historically accurate, but an accommodation for physical limitations.

Acknowledgements: A good portion of the work for this guide was taken from the writings and research of Max Gullberg, Regia Anglorum and Yuzhnaya Rus. Their contributions are gratefully acknowledged.

 
 © For information contact Jack Garrett at info@vikingsofbjornstad.com