The sword that he wielded would only have been carried by a nobleman as at that time they would cost the equivalent of a new car and his chain mail just a little less. Boy was that mail heavy!
Here are a few snaps of Viking paraphernalia - only just realised as I come to write this that I did not get a pic of the man himself! Click on his name above, to see him and also here and here.
The Vikings were not just warriors, they were also weavers and Snorri explained the various methods of spinning (the children would spin using a Drop Spindle) and dyeing the wool - some not too savoury!
It was really interesting to hear about each item of his clothing, what it was made of and the dyeing process involved that all added up to a very expensive outfit. Deceptively simple looking to us today but full of meaning a couple of thousand years ago.
Below, you will see the Tapestry that was made for Snorri and that explains how his Grandparents went to Ireland, the Isle of Man and Cumbria.
His father was called Skerri so he is known as Snorri Skerison much like our names today - Thompson aka 'son of Tom' etc.
Above, some colourful braids made on a Tablet - still used by some weavers today. These braids would adorn the sleeves on clothing.
Below, is the hefty loom or at least part of it as it was too large to bring in the whole thing as it stands at 6 - 7 ft high! Those round things at the bottom are weights and on the table in front of the loom are Weaving Swords, used to beat the thread up, the white one being made of whale bone.
The two large gold brooches are copies of ones found at Clinton Hall and were often found in female graves.
Various useful items hang from beads including a Vanity Set that comprised of a toothpick, tweezers, a small spoon for getting out ear wax which was used as a polish and mixed with sand to make it abrasive. ... thats recycling at its best!
There is a long tubular needle case, scissors and snips and a tiny eating knife. The set of keys were an import part of the Wedding Ceremony for a Chief's Wife. If the Chief took these away from her, she could divorce him. The Wedding 'Ring' was a silver arm ring which would be worn all the time.
Once married a woman would cover her hair with a head dress like the one you see in the picture.
I was rather taken by the central bead, below, which is a piece of Jet carved into the shape of a Snake that represented Protection. Snorri also wore a really large piece of Amber that would also signify protection as it does today.
Below, is the Banner depicting a bird and a fish as Snorri is from the Martin Mere area. This area was once a huge lake and the largest body of fresh water in England and stretched from Church Town to Rufford and almost to Ormskirk! The lake provided a living for 1000 fishermen but alas it started to be drained in 1692 with further attempts in 1780s until it was pumped using steam in the 19th Century. During the 70s and 80s the fertile land on 'the Moss' around Tarleton and Holmeswood was used by market gardeners whose little shops lined the large road that takes you into Southport.
The 70s and 80s also created the Nature Reserve known today as Mere Sands Wood as the lake bed was quarried for its sand to make glass. On first learning the name of the area, I wondered if there had once been a beach there as I was told that the sea used to cover the moss. I think that the truth is even sadder but at least some of it is used as reserve for birds at the Martin Mere Wildfowl Trust - well worth a visit :-)
There was so much more that Snorri told us about the Viking way of life. He has a wealth of knowledge and takes part in re-enactments of Viking Battles. If you would like him to come to your group to give a talk and see all the weapons and other items close up, you can get in touch with him here.
Thank You, Snorri for gracing our Hall!
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