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Warriors about to charge.

Drawn by the clash of steel? Enticed by the thought of wielding the mighty dane axe? Then come and fight for us!

It is our warriors participating in battle reenactments that form the most exciting elements of our events for the public, the sights and sounds of battle being as close as we can provide to those of a real battle of the time.

Over the years The Vikings have developed a set of rules that allow full contact combat to take place with real (but blunt) metal weapons safely. All our warriors must wear a minimum amount of safety equipment (gloves and helmet) and all the weapons we use must meet strict criteria in terms of materials and edge dimensions. In addition all weapons are checked for safety before any combat. Before participating in a public display our warriors must pass a basic safety assessment (to make sure they will not injure themselves as much as injure any one else). Because of this emphasis on safety we have an excellent track record of injury free displays.

Once you have passed your basic combat, display and formation tests you are free to train in advanced combat techniques and with more difficult weapons (such as the dane axe or two handed spear). Don't worry however, the basic tests are so straight forward that most people can pass them in the first few months of joining.

We also have assessments for archers. Again we have strict rules governing the strength of bows and the construction of arrows that can be used against live targets (such as blunt rubber tips to arrows and more fletchings than normal to slow the arrow so that the target has a chance to block it), and any archer taking the field must wear a helmet. However the archers form an important part of the fighting line, harrying the opponent and picking off any warrior daft enough to leave the safety of the shield wall.

Worried about how much it will cost? We can let you borrow enough gear to train and pass your basic test. The first training session is free, there after we ask for a small contribution to the cost of hiring the location (currently £1 a session). Membership of our parent group The Vikings is around £20 a year and means you will be covered by our public liability insurance at shows. You will probably need to borrow some gear during your first season of displays, but most people are able to obtain one suitable set of gear and clothes by the end of their first year.

Currently we train every Tuesday evening from 7pm to 9pm, and one Saturday a month from 10am to 1pm. To arrange to meet us and have a go please contact us.