Male Viking...

[Tammy]

Ok, my father wants to be a Viking at Faire. I told him it's not the same time period, but he doesn't care. He just wants to fit in a little bit better. Anyway...I've done some research, and I know I need to make him a tunic and pants. For now, he'll just wear his biker boots.

What I want...is something to make people know he's a Viking, and not just someone else in a tunic...since tunics are SO versatile.  Any suggestions would be great!!!! Thanks.

[Anna Iram]

Here's the Wiki to give you a few ideas:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viking

an excerpt reads:

"According to custom, all free Norse men were required to own weapons, as well as permitted to carry them at all times. These arms were also indicative of a Viking's social status: a wealthy Viking would have a complete ensemble of a helmet, shield, chainmail shirt, and sword. A typical bóndi (freeman) was more likely to fight with a spear and shield, and most also carried a seax as a utility knife and side-arm. Bows were used in the opening stages of land battles, and at sea, but tended to be considered less "honorable" than a hand weapon. Vikings were relatively unique for the time in their use of axes as a main battle weapon. The Húscarls, the elite guard of King Cnut (and later King Harold II) were armed with two-handed axes which could split shields or metal helmets with ease."

If your dad is handy maybe he could make a shield , paint it with viking runes and carry a spear.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vikings_fight.JPG


Of course there is also the helm with horns that so many associate with a Viking. He could probably find one at a party store.  My brother was a viking way back when our faire started, He had alot of fun with it!

[Anna Iram]

Came across this site. If your father wants to invest a bit:

http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/s-4-viking.aspx

[Capt Gabriela Fullpepper]

There is also www.armstreet.com or www.theinnerbailey.com and then there is Toki's favorite http://www.viking-shield.com which has just about everything Viking from weapons, helmets, shields, .

NO Self respecting Viking would EVER have horns or wings on their helmet. Horns and Wings where a made up belief and is 100% not fact or HA. Horns are fantasy.

[Anna Iram]

LOL! I never said my brother was self respecting! 


I did get a charge out of the pink shield colors shown in the pic I posted. Who'd have thought the Vikings would wear pink!

[Toki Bloodaxe]

Hi, Tammy..  I think that the main things that will set your dad apart would be his helmet and his shield. Now, a viking helmet, not any with horns to be historically accurate, usually has the sort of eye goggles look to it across the face. Many helmets from the time period also had a nose piece that came down the face to protect the nose. Of course, if you want a fantasy element to your dad's garb then a helmet with horns on it is just fine. He should have a round shield with a center metal plate or something of the like. Paint the shield in bright swirling colors and it really gives the impression of a sea raider type shield. What the Vikings really looked like and what we think they looked like are really two different things. But, the great thing about Faire is that you can do what you want really and have a lot of fun. Thats the whole point, after all isn't it....to have fun?   Another thing would be a drinking horn for his ale. Don't forget the ale!   A viking tunic is generally longer than most other tunics and has a cut-out neckline on it- decidedly unfancy.     Hope this bit helps..

[Richard de Graeme]

There are some nice reasonably priced Viking tunics, belts and weaponry on this site:

http://www.kultofathena.com/clothing.htm

[Tammy]

Thank you everybody for all the help.
Dad wants the helmet with horns...but I'm not gonna help him find that! lol
While I can't do H/A, I do strive to not be overly fantasy!!
Then again...he's a Viking (11th century) playing in the 16th century...in the 21st century.

[Richard de Graeme]

ixna on the ornsha!

[Celtic Lady]

That was some very interesting reading, Anna. Thank you.