#vikingreenactor
Still there are so many things
That I have never seen:
In every wood in every spring
There is a different green.
#spring #middleearth #tolkien #wordsmithery #forest #woodlands #nature #vikingcloak #handsewn #historicalclothing #vikingwoman #viking #vikings #norse #vikingage #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #vikingsofinstagram #vikinglife #vikingblog #valkyrie
https://www.instagram.com/p/CdLSG9QN-rc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
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“The leaves of trees were glistening, and every twig was dripping; the grass was grey with cold dew. Everything was still, and far-away noises seemed near and clear”
#middleearth #tolkien #wordsmithery #forest #woodlands #nature #vikingcloak #handsewn #historicalclothing #vikingwoman #viking #vikings #norse #vikingage #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #vikingsofinstagram #vikinglife #vikingblog #valkyrie #valkyrja
https://www.instagram.com/p/CcIeHh5Ns8C/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
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• Góa •
“Velkomin sértu, góa mín,
og gakktu í bæinn;
vertu ekki úti í vindinum
vorlangan daginn”
According to the Old Icelandic calendar have just left behind the month of Þorri, and today we enter the month of Góa. Being among the last winter months, it might have been a difficult time with food supplies running low, but also a time filled with hope for an early and mild spring. This is illustrated by Icelandic proverbs such as "að þreyja þorrann og góuna” (to endure Þorri and Góa, that is, to overcome difficult times). Several aspects of the stories and traditions related to Góa are associated with hopes of fertility and growth.
Icelandic folktales describe how this month is the month of women, and that it should be greeted by the housewife on the farm. On this first day of Góa she should rise early and step outside before getting dressed, walk thrice around the farm, and speak the words from the top of this post. Let me translate them to English:
“Welcome, my dear Góa,
and come on inside;
don’t stay out in the wind,
on this long day of spring.”
#góa #viking #vikings #norse #norsecalendar #vikingage #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #vikingsofinstagram #vikinglife #vikingwoman #vikingbling #vikingdress #handsewn #historicalclothing #aprondress #vikingblog #valkyrie #valkyrja
https://www.instagram.com/p/CaM2whdr8xa/?utm_medium=tumblr
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• mun þu mek man ek þ ek •
• un þu mer an ek þer •
“Think of me, I think of you. Love me, I love you”
Runic inscription from 1185, found here in Bjørgvin/Bergen.
#runes #futhark #youngerfuthark #love #historiclove #viking #vikings #vikingcouple #norse #vikingage #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #vikingsofinstagram #vikinglife #vikingblog #valkyrie #valkyrja
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ94JSmrf-I/?utm_medium=tumblr
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My annual Viking & Medieval market calendar is up now at Valkyrja.com (link in profile)
I honestly didn’t think I would be able to make it this year, since I have a 2-month-old baby on my arm these days, but here it is! ^^ Please feel free to bookmark and share!
Will you be attending any markets this year, and which ones?
#viking #vikings #norse #vikingage #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #vikingsofinstagram #vikinglife #vikingmarket #medievalmarket #vikingwoman #vikinglife #vikingblog #valkyrie #valkyrja
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ4LNslLmxy/?utm_medium=tumblr
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Bubbling over with creative energy, but too busy these days to do much with it! So here’s a Viking selfie for now… ♀️
#vikingwoman #vikingmother #viking #vikings #norse #vikingage #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #vikingsofinstagram #vikinglife #vikingdress #handsewn #historicalclothing #reddress #vikingblog #valkyrie #valkyrja
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZUcicqr_nv/?utm_medium=tumblr
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• Til árs ok friðar •
Best wishes for a good and peaceful year, for growth, health and abundance in the time to come
#tilársokfriðar #yule #vikingwoman #vikingmother #pregnantviking #ninemonths #viking #vikings #norse #vikingage #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #vikingsofinstagram #vikinglife #vikingdress #historicalclothing #reddress #vikingblog #valkyrie #valkyrja
https://www.instagram.com/valkyrjacom/p/CYPrhYQNnhp/?utm_medium=tumblr
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• Móðir •
Styrki þig guðir
og góðar vættir
álfar og dísir
og allt sem lifir
gróður jarðar
og geisli sólar
❤️ New blog post at Valkyrja.com ❤️
#vikingwoman #vikingmother #motherhood #pregnantviking #ninemonths #viking #vikings #norse #vikingage #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #vikingsofinstagram #vikinglife #vikingdress #handsewn #historicalclothing #reddress #yule #vikingblog #valkyrie #valkyrja
https://www.instagram.com/p/CX1cLMtL5xD/?utm_medium=tumblr
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• Ýlir •
Ýlir ís the first of the two Yule months in the Old Norse calendar. It was also called Frermánuðr (frost month) in some sources. ❤️
Want to read more about the Old Norse months? Check out the blog post I wrote earlier this year: Valkyrja.com/norsecalendar.html
#viking #vikings #norse #norsecalendar #vikingage #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #vikingsofinstagram #vikinglife #vikingwoman #vikingbling #vikingdress #handsewn #historicalclothing #reddress #yule #vikingblog #valkyrie #valkyrja
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWyGcyEt8w_/?utm_medium=tumblr
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♥️ Rauðr smokkr á bringu - gylltir dvergar á öxlum ✨
Have a good Saturday night everyone!
#viking #vikings #norse #vikingage #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #vikingsofinstagram #vikinglife #vikingwoman #vikingbling #vikingdress #handsewn #historicalclothing #aprondress #reddress #fallvibes #autumnvibes #vikingblog #valkyrie #valkyrja
https://www.instagram.com/p/CU0SG4gNSRz/?utm_medium=tumblr
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The leaves are starting to turn from green to deep red and gold, and the air is cooler, crisper…
I got a new camera lens for my birthday this month, so I have been out capturing that autumn vibe.
New blog post with photography on my blog Valkyrja.com (link in profile)
#viking #vikings #norse #vikingage #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #vikingsofinstagram #vikinglife #vikingwoman #vikingbling #vikingdress #handsewn #historicalclothing #aprondress #fallvibes #autumnvibes #vikingblog #valkyrie #valkyrja
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUAu82FtjxL/?utm_medium=tumblr
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…can you feel that?
It’s Friday! ❤️
#viking #vikings #norse #vikingage #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #vikingsofinstagram #vikingsummer #vikinglife #vikingwoman #vikingbling #vikingdress #handsewn #historicalclothing #aprondress #vikingblog #valkyrie #valkyrja
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTpWXnStklL/?utm_medium=tumblr
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• The drop spindle •
Part 6/6 of “The woman at Spurkeland”, early 900s CE
Among the other identifiable objects in the grave were a loom weight and a spindle whorl both made of soapstone. These may refer to the Spurkeland woman’s role as a weaver in the household.
The production of fine clothes was associated with high status during the Viking Age, and could be a good source of income. The housewife would be responsible for the textile production, either as a weaver herself or a leader of weavers in the household.
The spindle whorl was unornamented and round with flat parallel sides. Neil from @NiddyNoddyUK was kind to make me this one to order, as well as a spindle stick and distaff to go with it (the latter were not found in this grave but are in Oseberg style).
Now I just have to learn how to spin properly!
#viking #vikings #norse #vikingage #vikingtid #reenactment #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #livinghistory #levendehistorie #archaeology #spurkeland #dropspindle #distaff #vikingsofinstagram #vikingsummer #vikinglife #vikingwoman #historicalclothing #vikingblog #valkyrie #valkyrja
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTU7AIZDMc5/?utm_medium=tumblr
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• The shawl and trefoil fibula •
Part 5/6 of “The woman at Spurkeland”, early 900s CE
The third garment identified in the grave was an outer layer—believed to have been a shawl or cloak closed with a bronze trefoil brooch at the neck.
The brooch was decorated with three masks facing out toward each lobe with stylized bodies (Borre-style, type P97). I’ve used my trefoil brooch from @klesarven here, not the same design but also a Norwegian finding decorated with masks.
Five textile fragments were found in relation to the brooch. The weave was unclear, but they were wool, and there was blue dye!
The shape of the shawl/cloak is unknown, so I went for a simple “triangular” style shawl in thick wool, with blanket stitch along the edges to prevent fraying. The shawl is really a square piece where one corner is folded down and worn toward the back of the neck. This provides a nice shape when draped over the shoulders and fastened at the front, a shape that mimics the profile commonly seen in Valkyrie pendants. ✨
#viking #vikings #norse #vikingage #vikingtid #reenactment #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #livinghistory #levendehistorie #archaeology #spurkeland #vikingsofinstagram #vikingsummer #vikinglife #vikingwoman #vikingdress #handsewn #historicalclothing #vikingblog #valkyrie #valkyrja
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTP_ONfLi-8/?utm_medium=tumblr
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Details…
One of the two blue/brown six-strand braids running down along the back of the apron dress (based on the Hedeby/Haithabu find), and the linen shoulder straps made by folding fabric fourfold and closing it with whip stitch.
#viking #vikings #norse #vikingage #vikingtid #reenactment #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #livinghistory #levendehistorie #archaeology #spurkeland #vikingsofinstagram #vikingsummer #vikinglife #vikingwoman #vikingbling #vikingdress #handsewn #historicalclothing #aprondress #vikingblog #valkyrie #valkyrja
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTKTObRDbgZ/?utm_medium=tumblr
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The shoulder straps/loops on apron dresses seem to have usually been made of linen, also when the remainder of the dress is made of wool.
This is for example seen in the rich Birka material where vast majority of findings of such loops were linen, even though plant fibres usually decompose rapidly under Scandinavian preservation conditions.
This may be surprising to some, since we more often see wool loops on apron dresses among historical reenactors (including myself)!
Why do you think that is? Do you find it prettier when the shoulder straps and dress are identical in color and material?
That has been the case for my part. But after having made and worn these, I can definitely get used to this! Linen straps are also more durable and less stretchy, so they do their job well holding the heavy brooches in place.
#viking #vikings #norse #vikingage #vikingtid #reenactment #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #livinghistory #levendehistorie #archaeology #spurkeland #vikingsofinstagram #vikingsummer #vikinglife #vikingwoman #vikingbling #vikingdress #handsewn #historicalclothing #aprondress #vikingblog #valkyrie #valkyrja
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTKGBQOj_Zg/?utm_medium=tumblr
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• The blue aprondress •
Part 4/6 of “The woman at Spurkeland”, early 900s CE
The second garment in the grave was identified as an apron dress.
Underneath the tortoise brooches, there were pieces of both the upper and lower looped straps used to suspend the dress over the shoulders. These were made of plant fibre, specifically linen.
Apart from these straps, the findings do not reveal more details about the design of the apron dress. I therefore based my interpretation on the largest and best-preserved existing find, namely the Hedeby/Haithabu fragment, with a closed and fitted design flaring from the hips and six-strand braids running down along the back.
I used blue wool fabric in a plain tabby weave, handsewn with wool thread. This seemed like the most plausible alternative based on previous findings as well as those wool fragments that were indeed found in the grave (more about that in part 5/6)!
#viking #vikings #norse #vikingage #vikingtid #reenactment #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #livinghistory #levendehistorie #archaeology #spurkeland #vikingsofinstagram #vikingsummer #vikinglife #vikingwoman #vikingbling #vikingdress #handsewn #historicalclothing #aprondress #vikingblog #valkyrie #valkyrja
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTIfHmgrF6M/?utm_medium=tumblr
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• Linen underdress •
Part 3/6 of “The woman at Spurkeland”, early 900s CE
Findings of textile remains from the Viking Age are rare. Those that do survive have often been in direct contact with metal objects (protected by metal corrosion). Their location relative to various metal objects such as brooches, buttons or tools may provide clues about the type of garment, and analyses of thread-count and any dyes can indicate its quality and value.
Interpreting textile findings therefore requires a lot of just that: interpretation. That was also the case for this grave finding. According to textile conservator Lukešová, the small fragments found in the grave likely stem from three different garments.
The first was a linen undergarment, based on fragments of linen found under the tortoise brooches that do not stem from the apron dress. My reconstruction is a handsewn serk in undyed plain weave linen, and has a rounded neckline. While I usually sew serks with keyhole necklines, these were uncommon in findings here from West Norway. This is also supported by the fact that was apparently no brooch or fibula attached to this undergarment.
The findings provide little or no clue about the shape of the remainder of the serk, but I made square underarm gussets for better fit and movement (based on e.g. Skjoldehamn and Birka finds), long sleeves, a single panel for both front and back (no shoulder seam) and two side gores. This is basically a simple and straightforward serk design, made to form a practical and comfortable undergarment without more guesswork than necessary!
#viking #vikings #norse #vikingage #vikingtid #reenactment #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #livinghistory #levendehistorie #archaeology #spurkeland #vikingsofinstagram #vikingsummer #vikinglife #vikingwoman #vikingdress #handsewn #historicalclothing #vikingblog #valkyrie #valkyrja
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTC3LYDt9qv/?utm_medium=tumblr
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The woman at Spurkeland, early 900s CE
Some years ago, a friend of mine found a tortoise brooch on a farm here on the west coast of Norway, which led to archaeological excavations that revealed a woman’s grave from the early 900s. The finding remained unpublished and has not been recreated until now. I was up for the challenge. How often do you come across such a relevant finding so close to home?
I’ve been working on this project for the past months, and will be sharing it with you here in the days to come! You will find the whole story and all photos on my blog Valkyrja.com (link in profile) ✨
#viking #vikings #norse #vikingage #vikingtid #reenactment #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #livinghistory #levendehistorie #archaeology #spurkeland #vikingsofinstagram #vikingsummer #vikinglife #vikingwoman #vikingbling #vikingdress #handsewn #historicalclothing #aprondress #vikingblog #valkyrie #valkyrja
https://www.instagram.com/p/CS47YwPLh28/?utm_medium=tumblr
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• Lofotr •
As you may know I am half Icelandic, but my Norwegian half is actually from the north of Norway (not from Bergen where I live). This photo is from last summer when we went on a roadtrip north to stay in my fathers’ childhood home in Lofoten.
And of course we had to visit the beautiful Lofotr Viking Museum, with it’s large and magnificent longhouse! ✨
#lofotr #lofoten #longhouse #viking #vikings #norse #vikingage #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #vikingsofinstagram #vikingsummer #vikinglife #vikingwoman #vikingbling #vikingdress #handsewn #historicalclothing #aprondress #vikingblog #valkyrie #valkyrja (at Lofoten, Norway)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSXSMu2rSXC/?utm_medium=tumblr
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This week I started my summer vacation! *happyface*
I normally don’t write much about my “modern life” here, but I am a senior researcher within the field of health psychology, coordinating a large international clinical trial. It’s a lot of fun but also a lot of work! I am very excited about having several weeks off, to relax and enjoy my hobbies and projects I’ll also be travelling to Iceland to finally visit my family there again
What are you doing this summer? ☀️
#viking #vikings #norse #vikingage #vikingreenactment #vikingreenactor #vikingsofinstagram #vikingsummer #vikinglife #vikingwoman #vikingbling #vikingdress #handsewn #historicalclothing #aprondress #vikingblog #valkyrie #valkyrja
https://www.instagram.com/p/CRiw8TwrxjY/?utm_medium=tumblr
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