In order to give our event a clear identity and to prevent it from becoming a catch-all medieval event, we have decided to limit the peoples represented to those who would have been present in Poitiers during the Viking Age.
This decision will also enable us to be more consistent with the various sources in our equipment proposals (outfits, weapons, etc.). This decision is the result of a great deal of thought, and we hope that you will appreciate our desire to offer an event of even greater quality.
From now on, the only peoples authorised for our period will be :
Living in Denmark, Norway and modern Sweden, the Scandinavians of the Viking era took advantage of superior naval technology to set off on expeditions in search of riches. Although they are best known for pillaging throughout Europe, they also established numerous trade routes and colonised and explored territories previously unknown to Europeans.
While the wealthiest warriors could afford chain mail, helmets and swords, most warriors used axes and spears, which were much cheaper. Their round shield, a warrior's essential piece of equipment, was ideal for travelling: light and mobile, but strong enough to withstand several attacks before breaking.
A Frankish dynasty that emerged in the 8th century, the Carolingians came to power under Pepin the Short and founded an empire that reached its zenith under Charlemagne, who was crowned emperor in 800. Their power rests not only on close ties with the Church, which legitimises their authority, but also on a complex administrative system organised around counts and missi dominici tasked with overseeing the territories.
Militarily, the Carolingians relied on a warrior aristocracy bound to serve the king. Infantry remained a part of the forces, but cavalry came to play an increasingly important role thanks to the elite who could afford to finance their own equipment and horses. After Charlemagne’s death, the empire fragmented due to rivalries between his heirs, culminating in the Treaty of Verdun in 843. Weakened, these kingdoms then came under attack from outside forces, notably the Vikings, the Saracens and the Hungarians.
Officially installed at the head of a small county at the entrance to the Seine, Rollo(n) and his men, Scandinavian Vikings, succeeded in integrating into local Frankish society to form a powerful duchy over time. Norman princes succeeded in conquering southern Italy and Sicily, and William the Conqueror conquered England.
The Normans quickly adopted the equipment and military organisation of the carolingians, but developed a much more devastating heavy cavalry that would later become the medieval knights. They used an almond-shaped shield that protected the rider all the way up.
Mainly from Denmark and northern Germany, the Angles, Saxons and Jutes arrived in England during the period of the great migrations. They quickly repelled the local Bretons and founded their own kingdoms, which were later Christianised. These unstable kingdoms were easy prey for a new generation of Scandinavian invaders.
Because of their similar cultural origins, the Saxons used equipment and dress similar to that of the Scandinavians: round shields, spears and scramasaxes, swords and coats of mail for the wealthiest.