Islip 2007
In preparation for the Jorvik Viking Festival in York, numerous training sessions were held all across the country. Here is one, conducted at Islip.Almost all our public display battles are competitive, in that the outcome is not guaranteed. This means that there is a good chance to swing the outcome in your favour, if you train well, fight hard and use good tactics and strategies.
The advantage for us is that it keeps things interesting, and every clash is a challenge. It is an advantage for the spectator as well, as every participant has something to lose; thus the combat is more lively, more dynamic and more interesting to watch.
Battle training also allows us to familiarise ourselves with the various weapons, thus making them safer to use. As you can see from the photographs, there is selection of arms and armour being used. Long spears, short spears, swords, scramseaxes (fighting knives) and axes are the norm. However, dane axes (full two-handed axes), long bows, maces, crossbows, javelins and even mangonels and trebuchets are occasionally deployed.
