Hundreds of Viking re-enactors have taken to the streets of York to celebrate Jorvik Viking Festival.
Throughout February half term week, Parliament Street was transformed into a Viking settlement full of stalls selling Viking Age memorabilia such as replicas of bowls, tools, coins and much more.
There were Jarl (leaders of Viking clans) tents on site being used for activities ranging from metal work classes to cooking sausages on a fire, something for all ages to get involved in.
The street was adorned with hand crafted Long Ships and Viking re-enactors on hand to answer questions about life in Jorvik and giving demonstrations like wood turning.
This year’s festival was extremely popular.
An estimated 45,000 people have taken part and tickets for all the main festival events sold out weeks in advance.
What is Jorvik Viking Festival?
The Vikings invaded York on 1st November 866 AD and the city is renowned for it’s Viking history and archaeological findings.
Founded in February 1985, one year after the opening of Jorvik Viking Centre, Jorvik Viking Festival is an annual week-long event which celebrates York’s Viking heritage.
Every year, the festival is attended by thousands of re-enactors, historians and enthusiasts from all over the world.
The festival is an exciting way to delve into the Norse history of York and learn about the city’s Viking heritage.
The March to Coppergate and The Battle of York
The march to Coppergate saw 450 Viking Warriors from across the country parade through the streets of York, dressed in an array of spectacular costumes, many of which were hand-made, before fighting in The Battle of York.
Before the march began, the Vikings gathered in Deans Park behind York Minster and chanted Viking battle cries about Odin, the Norse God of war, who they hoped would protect them on the battlefield.
Led by a band of musicians playing the drums and panpipes, they marched past the Minster, the Viking settlement on Parliament Street, through Coppergate and on towards Clifford’s Tower, ending up at The Eye of York.
When they arrived at The Eye of York, the Viking warriors split into two sides to re-enact the Battle of York, the climax of the festival.
This year’s march was extremely well attended with locals and tourists lining the streets from Dean’s Park to Coppergate, cheering for the Vikings as they marched by.
Re-enactors Nicky and Graham Paterson Kuczaty travelled from Largs, Scotland to take part in the march.
Nicky, whose alter ego, ‘The Seeker of Truth’, specialises in ancient medicine and healing, said that to her, being a Viking is about “the peacefulness of getting back to nature and living without modern technology.”
Speaking on why she loves Jorvik Viking Festival, Nicky said that in York, she feels “free to fully immerse” herself in her character and described feeling a sense of community and comradery between the re-enactors.
“I meet lots of Viking family and friends and we raid and pillage as Vikings do!”
Graham who re-enacts the Norse God Odin echoed Nicky’s feelings of comradery at the festival as he said: “I look forward to Jorvik because it’s a chance to see all of my Viking friends at the beginning of the year and catch up on the year just past, it’s a fab get together!”
Another re-enactor at the scene was historian Mark Walters, dressed in a kyrtill (tunic) and chainmail, which he made himself.
When asked what got him into battle re-enactment, Mark said: “It was the competitive combat that got me involved in it originally because it’s healthy controlled violence, plus you get to dress up and hit your friends with swords!”
He continued saying: “But now, for me it’s all about the history, understanding where people came from, how technology has evolved and how as people we have evolved to be where we are now.”
The majority of the re-enactors said they will be back next year and thanks to the Norse Gods, the rain held off today until after the battle.
