As Britain’s oldest and largest Dark Age re-enactment group, The Vikings are well placed to present historically realistic displays of trading, culture and battle of the period of British history from the eighth to eleventh centuries AD.

Formed in 1971 and now boasting over 1,000 members in the UK and a further 200 abroad, The Vikings are the premier society presenting re-enactments of the Viking Age. While the Society concentrates mainly on the 10th Century, some events are set in the wider period from 790 to 1066, with the appropriate modifications to dress and equipment used. Our aim is to provide an accurate and educational portrayal of the Viking period, with an equal emphasis on the daily life of the period, and on the more warlike aspects of life in what was a formative period in European history. To do this, it is of course also necessary to represent the Saxons, Normans and Celtic inhabitants of these isles too.

Our events are renowned for the high standard of presentation, historical accuracy, attention to detail, and for the scale and impact of our combat displays - as well as for our extensive static displays which present a cross-section of life in the tenth century. Presentations range from full-scale battle camps and battles involving hundreds of trained ‘warriors’, to small encampments and raiding parties.

School visits allow children to submerge themselves in the curriculum meeting realistic characters and props to support their studies. As a registered charity, education is a major aspect of our work and interaction. Our school visitors are fully conversant with the aspects of the current curriculum.

Our members are also at the front edge of experimental archaeology - often providing practical answers to academic questions. Many members choose to specialize in a craft and  the skills known to have been needed to provide support to the complex and artistic societies living here at the turn of the first millennium.

Membership profile is as varied as one can imagine. Men, women and children from all walks of life make the amazing temporary transformation from 21^st century to the tenth. As varied as they are, they share a passion for recreating the period as an educational and entertaining interaction for the public. Each display is specifically designed to further the understanding of the period and to provide an enjoyable experience alike.

Schools, tourists and locals all learn a little more about the history which formed the country around them. Through careful research and tireless effort and practice, The Vikings present exciting historical displays as accurate as possible with the information available, and the necessary constraints ... no-one would really want to witness the terror of a Dark Age battle ... but through exhausting practice and training, The Vikings present a display which can show what the battles of the period would have looked like, without the human cost. Safety standards are among the highest in re-enacting. Members are often engaged as stuntmen and fight co-ordinators in films and TV presentations.

Come and watch how the Dark Ages come to life through art, craft and conflict with a realism best seen close up. Come and meet The Vikings!

The Vikings, an introductory background.   V1.0  Dec 2009.

Mark Talbot, Publicity Officer, The Vikings. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Copyright 2009.

May be reproduced freely for the purpose of publicity or promotion of The Vikings and events being attended by them