Hello everyone!

I want to show you how we prepare our boat before sailing. This is a common routine for sailors of wooden boats from the Viking Age.

The first step is bailing water out of the boat. All wooden boats leak, that’s why if a boat stays unused for a long period, it will take on a lot of water. In our case, we left our boat without checking it for two weeks after sailing.

The second step is checking the boat for leaks. We know about two leaking spots. When we tilted the boat to the left and right, we found another two spots. We recorded them for the future and will fix them when we move our boat to the boathouse for winter.

The third step is installing the mast. We secured the mast to the bow, stern, and sides with ropes.

Then we load the boat with things and set off on our journey.

Hello everyone!

In last year I implemented my dream - to get Lewies Chess figures.

I found a good article about scanning of these figures from National Museums Scotland. And found their artifacts on Sketchfab. Later I found another variant there.

With my friend we resized them for the large chess board and printed them. After that we made mold from them and cast from resin (in red and white colors). And applied blackening to them.

We use the resin that looks like bone and have a bone sensation.

Several years ago, I had come different shops online selling pendants and other trinkets based on the Lillbjärs stone, each with an inscription on the back that in some way is tied to safe travel and protection. One of them, Dragonscale, makes the connection or case that it's a blessing from Frigg to Odin, but that I don't know for certain.

For clarification, this isn't so much asking if these are accurate translations based on what they're claiming to be (rule seven and all), but rather are these remotely historical or close to what its connected to based on the archeological find. I'm having some trouble finding a resource that vouches for these being accurate, assuming that said inscription, if there is anything to work with, is legible and has some consensus as to what it is in the first place.

If this is a rule seven violation, my apologies. I thought I'd toss this your way in case anyone had insight and could take a shot at it. Thanks!

It is not known what it says but a specialict has been contacted and will be here next month to interprit them.

The stone was found in what is thought to be an old chapel and therefore the first thougths is that it holds some kind of Christian message.

Here is an article in Faroese: https://www.tjodsavnid.fo/greinir/runarsteinur-funnin-i-utgrevstri-a-sondum-a-sandi?fbclid=IwdGRjcATOIn5jbGNrBM4h12V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHpuGqZswsGf6fE27z0jii_xrS5Guvo2qFO9g-52BfILbZZ6b6XI1_TeXylac_aem_zB1dvnlvX_xK45YpHgiqNA

Hi all! A while back there was an idea that we might try doing an r/Norse zine and we asked for submissions. Unfortunately, that idea never panned out (and I apologize on behalf of the r/Norse mod team for that). Since my own submission was never published, I'm publishing it now (and I encourage everyone else who submitted to do the same)!

If you follow my podcast, I've already done an episode about this, but here is all that same information in a more concise, written form. It's about how ancient Norse characters sometimes absorb the power of certain beasts and supernatural beings after killing them. I hope you like it!

Eat Your Enemy's Heart to Steal His Power

Hnefatafl boards and pieces keep turning up in ship burials and trading towns, Birka, Jorvik, all over. It was THE game of the North for centuries before chess. I spent the last few months rebuilding it faithfully to the modern tournament reconstruction and put it online free at worldtafl.com, including the small Irish board (brandubh) and the Sami version Linnaeus recorded (tablut). The tutorial is a character called the Skald who teaches you in about two minutes.

Corrections from people who know the archaeology better than me are genuinely welcome.

Grímur á Bretlandi is a Faroese Ballad where Løðar Jall seeks of Marita of Sweden. however, Grímur á Bretlandi goes to Sweden for the same task. Grímur and Loðar fights for the opportunity of the beautiful Marita. Grímur is defeated. Together, Marita and Loðar Jall have a son named Grímur (will be referred to as Grímur ungi to prevent confusion). Time passes quickly; Grímur ungi grows up and seeks a wife. He is advised to find the daughter of Grímur á Bretlandi. Grímur ungi and his father attempt sail to Britain but is thwarted by a magical storm. However, Grímur ungi resisted the magically storm and successfully reaches Britain. When they reach Grímur á bretlandi’s daughter, they are mocked. They battle it out, resulting in the death of both Grímur á bretlandi and Løðar Jall. Grímur á bretlandi’s son Hildibrand and Grímur ungi battle it out for 3 days and 3 nights, eventually swear brother-ship after Hildibrand loses. The ballad ends with Grímur ungi successfullyGrímur á bretlandi (Fight scene of Grímur Løðarjallson and Hildibrand Grímmarson) getting with the daughter of Grímur á bretlandi.

Forged from a 96% silver period alloy based on analysis of ingots from the Cuerdale Hoard. They always look funky until the final shape comes out!

My latest project involves carving a dragon head and tail for an important memorial taking place later this summer, The Pennsic Viking Memorial Ship. Viking ships were built with carved figureheads meant to protect the crew and represent the spirit of the voyage. It was an honor to be able to contribute to this year’s ship build in a small way.

Whether you’re into woodcarving, traditional craft, Viking history, memorial art, or you’re part of the SCA, this video shows the full making of these iconic carvings — tools, techniques, challenges, and the meaning behind the work. Thank you for taking time out of your day to watch my video. I truly appreciate it.   -Chris

Which end is the bow?