Category:About the Society

Founded in 1971, The Vikings are the oldest and largest Dark Age re-enactment society in the UK, and probably the world. With currently over 1500 members throughout Britain and Europe and with groups also in the US, The Vikings are the premier society presenting re-enactments of the Viking Age. While the Society concentrates mainly on the 10th Century, some events are set in the wider period from 790 to 1066, with the appropriate modifications to dress and equipment used. Our aim is to provide an accurate and educational portrayal of the Viking period, with an equal emphasis on the daily life of the period, and on the more warlike aspects of life in what was a formative period in European history.

Our events are renowned for the high standard of presentation, historical accuracy and attention to detail, and for the scale and impact of our combat displays, as well as for our extensive static displays which present a cross-section of life in the tenth century. Whether you are interested in booking The Vikings for your event, coming to watch our displays, joining the ranks of our membership, or studying the Viking Age in either an educational or personal setting, we hope to present information on these pages which you will find useful.

The Vikings has Groups across the United Kingdom, in Europe and in North America.

The Society is run on a day-to-day basis by The High Council of members. They each have specialist areas that they look after to ensure the smooth running of the Society and ensure that there are shows for us to attend!

The High Council are the advisors to the Konungr and, as such, are his/her personal appointment. Members of the High Council may also hold one or more of the Society Officerships. Members of the High Council are responsible for maintaining order and discipline within the Society and keeping the Konungr informed of changes within their area of responsibility. In the absence of the Konungr, a member of the High Council will normally take charge of any major public event and be responsible for liaising with officials and the media. He/she will be answerable to all voting members of the Society and must answer questions put to them at Jarl Things and Althings.

Additional Society Officers (Thegns) fulfill equally important roles within the Society. All Thegns are bound by the Thegns' Code and agree to abide by it when they accept their position. All Society Officers are assisted by a large number of dedicated Group Officers and individual members taking on additional responsibilities, without whom the work of the Society would be impossible.