10th century Norseman dressing for battle

[@semperludens9241]

I like your videos. I wish movies would show the donning of armour more often.

[@na2486]

Wonderful video! I’m fascinated with historical arms and armor and your channel is a goldmine of some of my favorite historical designs.

[@Puppy_Puppington]

Are used to love the Vietnam war and World War II era stuff like culture so o would go to surplus stores and collect stuff or like go on eBay and look for or like old antique or uniform pieces. It was really fun dressing up exactly the way they did in those times with the actual exact items they used I get the joy this man feels when I see him put on his awesome armors. :)

[@pfadwaechter]

Dear Ola, firstly I wish to thank you for your great videos! I especially enjoy the parts where you show, how you made/modified your kit! There is something I don´t understand, about this period though: Why was there so little hand/forearm protection till the 12th century? Making chainmal longer isn´t rocket science, although a bit more tailoring is needed. Could this be due to a change in martial arts (i.e. the transition from shield binds to blade binds Roland Warzecha talks about), or a change in culture (e.g. expensive armor had to be easy to sell/loot/hand down, while later knights were able to afford more tailored/individualized stuff)? Or am I missing something obvious here?

[@olaonsrud]

I am not sure that I am the right person to answer your questions and persons with different knowledge and experiences will probably come up with different explanations.All armor made before the 15th century are made for battle and not for single combat. Up to the 14th century, combat tactics for both infantry and cavalry includes finding protection behind you shield. Therefore, you would never expose your sword arm in front of your shield. Reading about the tactical disposition of troops on the battlefield in the Norse Sagas, men with shields are placed in the first line, protecting the men behind that handle the two handed weapons like big axes and stabbing spears.In my interpretation, protection of the lower arms and hands was not needed, when using the fighting tactics described above (using the shield correctly together with your weapon). This correspond with what you are writing in your comment to my video. The short guard on the Viking sword might tell a similar story. You use your shield for protection and the sword for attack.In the most used reenactments fighting systems, the hands and the arms (at least the lower arms) are not permitted targets, so you do not need to worry about hits here. Since hits accidentally happens anyway, reenactors put on protection for the under arms and hands that is not historically correct. Form early 14th century (and probably earlier) the development of weapons and armor made probably two hands weapons more and more important, which might be one reason for development of better protection for hands and the lower part of the arm. The ability to make wide enough steel/iron plates to make the cuirass (breastplate) in the 14th century might have speeded up this development. To sum up, I personally believe there are multiple reasons spanning form combat tactics to weapons- and material technology.

[@pfadwaechter]

Thanks alot for the swift and extensive reply. I will definitely think about your points. Best regards!

[@viktorsilva4017]

Can't do much about hands, but i've read that Varangian Guard did use an arm protection separated from the chainmail, in the Man At Arms book about the byzantine armies they talk about splint steel vambraces and greaves

[@charlesdeleo4608]

I’m not sure if this helps, but they have found archaeological evidence of forearm and hand protection dating to the Vendel period, at Valsgarde in Sweden, near Uppsala. This consists of splint bracers that had holes near the wrist. The modern accepted interpretation from the University of Uppsala is that these holes were used for mail mittens similar to the ones we see in art and sarcophagi effigies dating from the 13th century.

[@camilomateus]

Awesome videos Ola... It's like a time travel... greetings from Colombia (South America)

[@davidschlageter5962]

[@olaonsrud]

If you wonder where you can get or buy Viking weapons and hardware, you will find a list at the end of the video. The mail comes from gtfb.co.uk, weapons from SPQR.se, the helmet is made by The Armourers Workshop and I have made the textiles myself. Both gdfb.co.uk and spqr.se also have helmets and some clothing.

[@olaonsrud]

If you see the video to the end, you will find a list!

[@mrdeurknopp]

Vikings 'R' Us

[@andrehege-du4iq]

Very satisfying video! You're videos are the most accurate I ever have seen. Splendid good work 🧐👍

[@Jelly_Juice2006]

Looks so much better than the Vikings show and their leather biker gear.

[@Yemalidk]

Teacher: ok class turn your history books To Page 69 as today we Will be learing about vikings Girls: oh cool vikings are cool Boys: Edit: Come on everyone likes vikings

[@fadomat01]

Yeah, I like them 💪

[@iSyriux]

Lmao girls have no feelings

[@Alex-tn7pv]

I find this period a lot more interesting!

[@GravityCreations100]

The rohirrim resemble the Norse men a lot. Even in war armor

[@motokokusanagi1172]

Wouldn't it be better to name the video XIth century? He looks almost like on Bayeaux Tapestry which is circa 1070. Big plus for the boat!

[@MrSedrack]

Awesome! Although I'd say they'd be reluctant to wear armor while at sea. Metal will rust with water and if you fall overboard in chainmail, you'll have a really, really bad day.

[@marcionphilologos5367]

Roman soldiers did wear their armour every day. Yet, from the 5th century on a heavy, functional armour was developed, JUST for battle. The Haubark was, according to logic and historical clues, a combination of mail, scale, leather armour, which could not be penetrated by arrows………. Late-Roman generals did wear, according tot Roman tradition, ornamentated breastplates. The German and Gothic nobels did wear a mail shirt in daily live. When they went to battle, they used a more complete mail armor, with the protection of legs, arms, head. This armor would be imitated by knights and became fashion in the 12th century. It weakness for arrows was reduced by metal within the underpadding and the use of a big shield. Many historians have concluded that this armor was the expression of progress in the Middle-Ages (before 900aN soldiers in the West were badly protected?). I THINK THAT THE FRANKISH ARMY USED BYZANTINE HAUBARKS FROM 700AN ON, AND THAT THIS SUPERIOR ARMOR EXPLAINES THE GREAT VICTORIES OF CHARLESMAGNE.SO, THE IDEA THAT THERE WAS A REGRESSION IN QUALITY OF ARMOUR AFTER THE DOWNFALL OF THE WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE SEEMS TO ME MISTAKEN...…...

[@cometriver5871]

very impressive kit where did you get the mail coif form?

[@harambe8372]

I think Get Dressed For Battle

[@blasty137]

An excellent kit, as always! One question - what do you have underneath the coif? Is it leather or something else?

[@olaonsrud]

According to available sources, linen appears to be the material normaly used under a mail coif.

[@anders1621]

I doubt they would worn their armour at sea. Rather dressing up as they got ready to go to shore..

[@EGNY]

Man looks like a noble

[@casonastudios1228]

I thought the Mail Coif only appeared from the 13th or maybe late 12th Century onwards??

[@olaonsrud]

If you read my own comments to the video you will find the following: "Some viewers will surely react to the use a mail coif instead of an aventail attached to the helmet and the use of Norman swords in the initial fight. Since we are at the end of the 10th century, we have taken this liberty."

[@oolooo]

Really good combat coreography

[@AbdulShakoor-br1jo]

I love your videos but could you guys please make more videos about Vikings.

[@ellor]

What were the sources of the kit? It seems to me that the hood of mail and a wide belt clearly from another century

[@olaonsrud]

Two very relevant questions that I have already tried to answer in the text following this video: "Some viewers will surely react to the use a mail coif instead of an aventail attached to the helmet and the use of Norman swords in the initial fight. Since we are at the end of the 10th century, we have taken this liberty. Some viewers will certainly also have opinions about bands, fittings and other details, but this is always the case when trying to recreate something that is over a thousand years old."When the mail coif first occurred is uncertain. There are found mail in Viking graves, but the mail is so deteriorated and fragmented that it is impossible to be sure, of how the original mail looked like as in the Gjermundbu findings which can be seen in the Norwegian Natural Historical Museum in Oslo. Probably it was only a mail shirt. The St Wncelaus mail form 10th century has a separate mail collar (not a coif). The aventail many reenactors attach to their helmet is neither well documented in available sources.So maybe the video would have been better if I had replaced the mail coif with a hood of wool and of course made myself a narrower belt?

[@kahn04]

@David Lara as re-enactors we try to recreate the past using the archaeological record to come to reasonable conclusions, sometimes people use the “lack of evidence is not evidence of lack” argument, but in the end there just isn’t enough physical evidence to support the idea, and written sources that describe the armour worn (such as the sagas) is often hundreds of years out of date to the point that contemporary soldiers WOULD have worn them, there’s also reference to “halberds”.

[@7dayspking]

If your main source was the Bayeux tapestry I think the mail should really reached the knees (obviously being formed to the legs.) in general I think your mail was really loose and not well fitted. Obviously the use of a coif instead of aventail or collar is a bit strange.

[@olaonsrud]

My main source is not the Bayeux tapestry that was made shortly after 1066. My outfit is late 10th century. My main sources is Scandinavian finds for 10th century among others the Gjermundbu find that you can see on the Natural Historic museum in Oslo/Norway. I comment the coif in the tekst you find together with the video. The sources for aventails is also week. Personally I think the mail fits me quite well and I am the one that use it fighting.

[@7dayspking]

+Ola Onsrud Ahh ok, I read one comment thread (Mike's) and thought it was your source. What I meant is the mail sags over you, especially on the arms and shoulders....it's very loose on the sleeves. On the Bayeux tapestry just for example though it fits more like a typical jumper, tightly rather than draping or hanging.

[@olaonsrud]

I have customized the mail myself and I think it both fits me god and functions well. However I have a 10 centimeter split at lower the end of each arm. I understand that you like your mail to be tighter and that functions better for you.

[@7dayspking]

+Ola Onsrud All I'm saying is it looks extremely loose fitting, I'm not saying it doesn't function or you can't move in it.

[@valhallaodin1645]

and there is nothing strange, put yourself in the place of a warrior Varyaga, eat their food, drink, take part in sea raids and then you will understand that it was more convenient to use more than 1000 years ago. And Yes - write a translate machine.

[@recruitlegionary4140]

Wait where is bro going?

[@MatikaSkirata]

I have exactly the same sword xD

[@killbill8211]

What about their boots?

[@erickish4288]

How did you get that belt did you get it made or did you buy it

[@interestingusername1049]

OMG this guy looks like a blue gnome.

[@mayankanand1153]

Dammn..thats a lot of stuff.

[@conn0rized292]

Did the Norse not have padding in the 10th Century?

[@olaonsrud]

A tick wool tunic is also a padding. Available source indicates that the gambeson and acetone, padded clothes in linen to wear under armour/mail, was first introduced in Europe in the 12th century. There is nothing in the sagas that says anything about special padded tunics that was used under the mail. I am of course very interested in reliable historical sources saying otherwise.

[@kahn04]

@@olaonsrud but you’re using a separate mail coif, which also dates from around that time, so why not?

[@thorbjorn1993]

Can I ask which patterns did you used for clothes? :)

[@olaonsrud]

As you see form the text in the end of the video I have made patterns based on Nille Glæsel´s book "Viking dress, garment and clothing''. You can buy patterns for web sites like Handelsgillet www.handelsgillet.se/produkt-kategori/monster/vikingatid/

[@thorbjorn1993]

Thank you. Early medieval times are very hard to reconstruct. I made clothes based on Skjoldehamn. And I will make shield from planks 90 cm. :)

[@olaonsrud]

I agree that early midieval times is hard to reconstruct.It is correct that shields were made of planks, but to strengthen them they normally were covered by one or several layers of linen and with a raw leather band sewn on along the edge. Since you do not see the wooden base of a shield covered in linen, I normally makes the shield of plywood which makes it more durable. Since I use it quite a lot for fighting, it is practical to have a more durable shield.

[@thorbjorn1993]

I think I would cover it with raw leather. Most shields founds are thicker in the centre and thinner at band so I will go that way to test it. Roland Warzecha is very near in interpretation of that kind of shield. Many years with plywood and I want to ,,divorce'' with it hehe :)

[@БармалейибнБармалей]

To Britain with great Salaam Alaicums.

[@skuga8623]

What type of mail are you using in this video?

[@olaonsrud]

www.gdfb.co.uk/chainmail-roman-40-c.asp

[@mukhumor]

Bit swift.

[@zedopao7032]

Shield waaaaaall

[@-Vitalis-]

0:11 Seems like norsemen wore diapers.

[@gradyratliff2034]

...skal.........

[@Mafia8332]

vick the viking🎉🎉

[@Chrysaetos11]

Time to raid!

[@robertsroberts1688]

next stop normandy