The Authenticity Team

All members of the Vikings Society share responsibility for setting and maintaining a high standard of authenticity – it is not just the business of the Society’s authenticity team. However, some members of the Society do have a more formal role and are here to help everyone to attain the high standards that are essential to the Society's ongoing success.

Who are the authenticity team?

Authenticity High Thegn

The Authenticity High Thegn has overall responsibility for authenticity within the Society. They are responsible for:

appointing, managing, monitoring and quality-assuring Certified Authenticity Thegns (CATs).
advising the Konungr and High Council on matters of authenticity.
supporting and advising the Society Living History Officer on matters of authenticity.
providing the Society with official authenticity guidelines.

The Authenticity High Thegn will appoint a Certified Authenticity Thegn to act as his deputy.

The Authenticity High Thegn can be contacted on authenticity[at]vikingsonline.co.uk

Certified Authenticity Thegns (CATs)

Certified Authenticity Thegns are appointed by the Authenticity High Thegn. They are responsible for:

advising members of the Society on authenticity matters.
advise Group AOs on any basic kit check things they are unsure about.
carrying out advanced (Drengr-level) kit assessments and signing-off passes.
supporting the Living History Thegns to ensure authenticity of the LHE.
They may act as Responsible CAT at any society events.

Trainee CATs (kittens) may carry out the duties of a CAT under supervision. If you're interested, please discuss with Authenticity High Thegn or a member of the authenticity team - you don't have to be a CAA or Group Authenticity Officer to do so.

A full list of current CATs can be found on the assessing officers page.

CAT Support Officer (CSO)

CAT Support Officers are appointed by the Authenticity High Thegn. They are responsible for:

advising members of the Society on authenticity matters.
supporting the Living History Thegns to ensure authenticity of the LHE.
They may act as Authenticity Lead at minor events if requested by the organising group leader.
A CSO can perform basic kit checks if requested by a group leader/group AO. This should always be done together with the group AO.
A CSO can lead drengr kit testing under the supervision of a CAT.
Two CSOs can run kit clinics alone if no CAT is available (but will confer with a CAT if in any doubt about specific advice).

As CSOs gain in experience they will move towards fully independent functioning activities and can be promoted to full CAT status. There is no requirement for CSOs to become CATs if they don't wish to.

A full list of current CSOs can be found on the assessing officers page.

Certified Authenticity Advisers (CAAs)

Certified Authenticity Advisers are awarded this honorific title to reflect the depth of knowledge they make available to the Society. They are:

recognised experts in specific aspects of the history, archaeology, literature and/or material culture of the early medieval period.
responsible for advising the Authenticity High Thegn and members of the Society on authenticity matters relating to their area of expertise.

Certified Authenticity Advisers are not Society officers. The title is an honorific and not a Society officership.

Group Authenticity Officers

Every Lethang and Herred must have Group Authenticity Officer. They are:

Responsible for basic (Fri-hals) kit assessments and advising group members on authenticity (especially new members).

Group Authenticity Officers should be familiar with the Society’s authenticity guidelines and communicate them to their group as needed. If no Group Authenticity Officer is appointed, the role falls to the group leader by default.

It is possible for one individual to hold a number of these roles concurrently.