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Guidelines for authenticity during living history events at Midgard Viking Centre
The guidelines are intended to give both visitors and participants at living history events at Midgard Viking Centre the best possible experience. The Viking re‑enactment community places strong emphasis on historical authenticity, not camping in Viking clothing. Events at Midgard Viking Centre have varying requirements for authenticity depending on the purpose of the event. This also makes it easier for new enthusiasts to participate in certain types of events.
In some cases, adaptations and exceptions to the rules may be necessary. Please contact us, and we will do our best to find a good solution.
We expect participants in the Viking community to have basic knowledge of what participation at Viking markets and similar living history events entails. We encourage new participants in the Viking community to join an association where they can receive the help they need to create source‑based clothing and equipment. On the website of “Vikinger i Vestfold og Telemark,” you will find contact information for most Viking groups and associations in the local area: https://vikingerivestfold.no/
At most events, it is possible to participate without staying overnight. This can be a good way to get started in the community without major expenses for tents and other camp equipment.
The Midgard Viking Centre reserves the right to ask participants at any event to remove or improve clothing, equipment, or goods that, in the museum’s judgement, do not belong to the Viking Age or do not fit the event.
In these guidelines, we distinguish between requirements, recommendations, and long‑term goals. Requirements define our minimum standards, while recommendations are things we encourage participants to strive for. Long‑term goals are things we hope may become requirements or recommendations over time.
High Authenticity
At certain events, we want the whole or parts of the area to offer reenactors and visitors the most authentic experience possible. Requirements and recommendations for such events build on our standard guidelines but are somewhat stricter.
Requirements
- Reenactors must wear historical clothing throughout their stay, also outside of opening hours. It is your responsibility not to diminish the sense of authenticity for other reenactors.
- In case of doubt, the sources for your interpretation must be provided.
- Historical clothing includes shoes or another historical footwear. Bare feet are allowed.
- Children are exempt from the footwear requirement. If children wear modern footwear, it must be as neutral as possible.
- Avoid visible use of modern tools or materials.
- An exception is fire pans, which must be used for open fires. If using a fire pan suspended from a tripod, the tripod must have an authentic design.
- Furniture, symbols, clothing, or equipment that do not belong to the Viking Age must be avoided (e.g., African folding chairs, leather belts wider than 2 cm, fiberglass bows, and the use of symbols like Ægishjálmur, Vegvísir, etc.).
- Equipment and goods must be made of materials and techniques available in the Viking Age and be based on historical sources.
- Modern price tags, display cases, clothes hangers, or other modern elements must not be used in market stalls.
Recommendations
- Apron dresses (selekjoler) should have narrow straps and only be worn with oval brooches.
- Avoid brightly coloured linen that is not plant‑dyed. Coloured linen is high‑status and should be used accordingly.
- All seams on garments should be hand‑sewn.
- We recommend the use of tents made from natural‑coloured wool or linen. Cotton tents should be avoided if possible, and we aim to phase them out over time.
- Modern tattoos should be covered as well as possible.
Long‑term Goals
- Clothing and equipment should be coherent for a specific geographic area and time period. Avoid mixing finds from wide areas or with large dating differences. Equipment from other cultures that was uncommon in Scandinavia should only be used together with clothing from the corresponding culture(s).
Standard Authenticity
During opening hours and at smaller events, all reenactors contributing on site—whether visiting for the day or staying overnight—are expected to follow these authenticity guidelines. The aim is to balance the authentic experience with visitors' opportunity to safely and meaningfully try crafts and activities.
Requirements
- Historical clothing must be worn.
- Avoid visible use of modern tools or materials.
- Fire pans are an allowed exception.
- Modern objects or simplifications may be used for crafts and educational activities where necessary.
- Furniture, symbols, clothing, or equipment that do not belong to the Viking Age must be avoided (e.g., African folding chairs, leather belts wider than 2 cm, fiberglass bows, and symbols like Ægishjálmur, Vegvísir, etc.).
- Market stalls must not use modern price tags, display cases, clothes hangers, or similar modern elements.
Recommendations
- Historical footwear is encouraged. If using modern shoes, they must be as neutral as possible.
- All participants should be able to provide sources for their equipment.
- To create the best experience for all reenactors, the use of modern equipment and clothing should be kept to a minimum, also outside opening hours.
- We encourage hand‑sewn seams on historical garments.
- Apron dresses should have narrow straps and only be worn with oval brooches.
- Modern tattoos should be covered as well as possible.
Long‑term Goals
- To improve visual authenticity, we aim to phase out cotton tents over time. Participants are encouraged to avoid cotton tents if possible. Cotton was not available in Scandinavia in the Late Scandinavian Iron Age and should therefore be avoided. Tents should be natural‑coloured wool or linen.
- Avoid brightly coloured linen that is not plant‑dyed. Coloured linen is high‑status and should be used accordingly.
Warriors
Requirements
- Necessary modern protective gear must be hidden under clothing.
- All visible protection and weapons must be based on historical sources. Mail armour must be riveted. Gloves must be made of or covered in leather, hide, or textile so they do not appear modern.
- Helmets or armour made of leather are not allowed. Visible arm or leg protection made of leather is allowed for eastern style/huscarl, but not for western style.
Recommendations
- Use transparent mouthguards, as they are not visible to the public or in photos.
- Avoid mixing weapons and equipment from different cultures unless based on a specific find.
- During battles, participants are encouraged to dress to their best standard—show that you are warriors with high social status in Viking society. Avoid rusty or damaged equipment.
Long‑term Goals
- Shield size should be based on historical examples. 75 cm or larger is a good starting point.