Glasses in the LHE

Key Information

• These rules are in place, following the decision of the Jarls' Meeting (March 2025).
• A Change Management Summary describing the process is accessible here.
• Apply for a Glasses Card using this form.
• These rules and processes are available to download from Docstore.

Glasses Card System Rules

These rules are replicated in the Village Guide.

These provisions only apply to the LHE and associated similar locations such as parades and the like; glasses are not permitted during combat of any kind. This includes combat training etc.

Conditions

• Glasses must only be worn when necessary, e.g. when doing fine craft work (long sighted) or when moving about (short sighted). They must be removed, when not needed.
• Glasses must be kept hidden when not in use, along with any inauthentic case.
• Glasses worn in the LHE should have clear/light/subtle frames.
• Glasses worn in the LHE must not be sunglasses or reactive to light.
• Glasses wearer must not wear glasses whilst taking part in an acting scenario.
• Glasses wearers must show their card to society officers on request.
• Glasses wearers should wear a hat or hood to detract attention from the glasses.
• Glasses wearers should avoid being photographed or filmed.
• Glasses wearers should not to take part in parades whilst wearing glasses, unless participation is essential.
• Glasses wearers must, whenever appropriate and specifically if asked, explain to members of the public that their spectacles are inauthentic.

Suspension of the Glasses Card System

• If a client does not want Glasses Card holders to wear glasses at their event, these provisions are suspended. The Show Organiser must state this in the show information given on Admin DB.
• A Host Group can decide to suspend the Glasses Card system at their medium/minor show. This must be stated in the information about the show given on the events listing on Admin DB.
• If the Glasses Card system is to be suspended at an event, this information must be provided to members in sufficient time to allow them to make plans not to attend or to carry out activities which don’t require them to wear glasses. Ideally, 3 weeks in advance of the event.
• If no declaration to suspend the Glasses Card system is made then the system is deemed to be in place.
• Any suspension of the Glasses Card System does not affect or suspend a member’s Authenticity Dispensation, which continues to allow their use of glasses for medical/disability reasons.

Revoking of the Glasses Card

• Any person who abuses the correct use of a Glasses Card in accordance with these rules will be given warning of their infringement. If a person persists in breaking the rules, despite having been given warning they may have their card revoked at any time by the Konungr.

Implementation April/May 2025

• A section about glasses has been added to the Site Visit Checklist. This is to prompt show organisers to ask their clients whether glasses are to be allowed at each event. Show organisers will make it clear to clients that if our members have a medical condition or disability which requires them to wear glasses, then this must be allowed in compliance with Equalities Law (the Authenticity Dispensation System).
• Group Leaders and those organising shows should ensure they have the latest version of the Site Visit checklist available on docstore.
• Information about this system, in different forms to meet the needs of the audiences, will be published in the Runestaff, on FB Official, on Vmail, on the Wiki, in the new member’s letter. It will be announced at the Easter Althing 2025.
• Show organisers, in the first three years of operation of these rules, will be asked to feedback their experiences to facilitate the review of the rules at the 2028 Jarls’ Meeting.
• The Glasses Card Form will be available for members to complete before the Easter Weekend.
• The list of those with a Glasses Card, who have given their permission, will be shared with LHE/Authenticity Officers and Group Show organisers for the 4th May events and onwards.

The Process for obtaining a Glasses Card

• A member wishing to wear glasses in the LHE has a conversation with their Group leader or Authenticity Thegn.
• The Group Leader explains that as the aims of our society included the recreation of life in the Viking Age, glasses are only to be worn when there are no other options and when not to do so would exclude someone from taking part.
• The Group Leader/Authenticity Officer establishes whether the member has a medical condition/s or long/short sightedness. If they have a medical condition, the group leader explains how to apply for an Authenticity Dispensation. If they are long/short sighted, the Group Leader/Authenticity Officer continues to explain the Glasses Card system.
• The Group Leader/Authenticity Officer explains the rules and reminds the member that wearing in glasses in the LHE is the final option when other possibilities have been explored and ruled out. These possibilities include wearing contact lenses, demonstrating a different craft, talking about their craft using prepared items rather than doing it at the event or finding others ways of taking part.
• The Group Leader/Authenticity Officer explains that the wearing of glasses does not infer that other inauthentic items, such as modern tools, or behaviours, such as reading documents, are acceptable.
• The Group Leader/Authenticity Officer discusses the required rules which will apply if the member wears glasses in the LHE:
• to only wear glasses when necessary, e.g. when doing fine craft work (long sighted) or when moving about (short sighted)
• to keep glasses hidden when not in use, along with any inauthentic case
• to wear clear/light/subtle frames where possible.
• to wear a hat or hood to detract attention from the glasses where possible
• to avoid being photographed or filmed where possible
• not to take part in parades whilst wearing glasses unless participation is essential, (as photographs are unavoidable)
• not to wear light reactive lenses or sunglasses (if they need these for medical reasons, they should apply for an authenticity dispensation)
• not to wear glasses when taking part in any acting scenario
• to explain that glasses are inauthentic when relevant e.g. when a visitor asks them directly.
• The member will be asked to state whether they are long/short sighted.
• The member will be asked to show their glasses card to an officer requesting it.
• If the member wishes to apply for a Glasses Card, they complete the online form, agreeing to follow the above restrictions and:
• that they are unable to wear contact lenses
• that they have discussed the authenticity rules with their Group Leader or an Authenticity Thegn
• Whether they give permission for their name to be shared with relevant society officers on a list of Glasses Card Holders. This is to reduce the likelihood that they will be asked to produce their Glasses Card at an event.
• Once the form is completed, the member will be issued with a Glasses Card and, if they have given permission, be added to the central list of Glasses Card Holders.