Society rules

The Vikings Society Authenticity Manual (.pdf) sets out what the Society’s authenticity team does, the responsibilities of the various Society officers, and how we work. This includes explaining the process for basic kit checks (group authenticity officers assessing for promotion to Fri-hals) and advanced kit checks (Certified Authenticity Thegns assessing for promotion to Drengr). While primarily intended for the Vikings Society in the UK, it also covers the management of authenticity in Felags overseas.

Roles, responsibilities and guidance concerning the authenticity of living history equipment is covered in the Society village guide (.pdf).

Dealing with Inappropriate Items

The Authenticity High Thegn, CATs and authenticity team are responsible for providing good quality guidance to all members of the Society as to what items are not appropriate to the period, or may not be correct for a specific show date/context.

Details specific to the show (its date, historical context and which kit types are appropriate/not appropriate) should have been published beforehand by the Authenticity Lead.

However, sooner or later you will come across items which are obviously modern, from a wholly different period or otherwise not appropriate for the date/location of the show.

Step 1 – the Quiet Word

The first response to any issue observed by a CAT, CSO, group authenticity officer, other Society officer (e.g. RTT or LHE lead) or member of the Society should be to speak to the individual(s) concerned:

• discuss the issue somewhere private, away from the public, explaining what is inappropriate and why;
• this conversation should end with a common-sense agreement, ideally that the item in question be kept out of sight for the duration of the show;
• if the item is essential to continued participation in the show (e.g. a helmet, weapon, cooking equipment etc), the individual should be encouraged to find a more appropriate substitute for that show. It may be necessary to take a pragmatic approach for the duration of one show, with a warning for the future.

Step 2 – Formal Escalation

Unfortunately it is not always possible to resolve issues informally. Where a CSO, Kitten, group Authenticity Officer or member of the Society has concerns which cannot be resolved informally, they should speak to the individual’s group leader (if present) and/or refer the matter to the show’s designated Authenticity Lead and/or a CAT. Before taking formal action, the CAT or Authenticity Lead may wish to consult with any other CATs (or relevant officers such as LHE thegns, RTT(c)s or Hersir if appropriate) present at the show.

When Taking Formal Action:

• a CAT or Authenticity Lead may formally instruct any member of the Society that any item or items do not conform with the Society’s authenticity guidelines and therefore may not be used while the public are present;
• this instruction may carry conditions, for example that an item should only be used within a specific dateline, or that it should not be used until the Authenticity High Thegn has been able to consider further evidence;
• this is a formal instruction from a Society Thegn. If the individual does not comply with it, they will be subject to the Society’s disciplinary processes;
• after the event, the CAT or Authenticity Lead responsible for issuing the instruction must send a written report to the Authenticity High Thegn, explaining the situation and the actions taken.

Where an Authenticity Lead is not a CAT, they may only issue instructions prohibiting the use of items for the duration of that show.

If questions are raised concerning the accuracy of the Society’s authenticity guidelines (e.g. specific evidence justifying the use of an item at a particular date or location), the CAT or Authenticity Lead must use their judgement. It is perfectly acceptable for the CAT/Authenticity Lead to uphold the letter of the Society authenticity guidelines for the duration of the show, and raise questions with the Authenticity High Thegn afterwards. This may subsequently result in the Society’s authenticity guidelines being updated.

Resolving Disputes And Disagreements

Issues should be resolved in a constructive and positive spirit at all times. However, disagreements may occur. In such cases:

• the designated Authenticity Lead at a Society event always has the final say for the duration of the show; If the member(s) in question feel that they have been unfairly or inappropriately treated, they and/or their group leader should raise the matter with the Authenticity High Thegn.
• following the event, the Authenticity High Thegn will review the report submitted by the CAT(s) and/or Authenticity Lead concerned and will discuss the case with them;
• the Authenticity High Thegn will then respond to the member(s) and/or group leader;
• if a disagreement is not satisfactorily resolved by the Authenticity High Thegn, it should be referred to the High Council and Konungr.

Where a disagreement involves the Authenticity High Thegn directly, it should be referred to the Konungr, who may wish to take advice from other CATs.