Vikings Classroom Kit

The Viking Serk, or underdress, was a common garment for women of the Viking Age. The small pieces of textiles found by archaeologists provide few details, if any, about the cut of a garment, and our knowledge is supplemented by written sources, as well as depictions on small figures and tapestries. 

This dress will fit up to a 110cm bust size. Please note that final colour and decorative elements are subject to change. 

The Hangerock, or apron dress, also known as a Smokkr, was a common garment for women of the Viking Age.  It was typically worn over a dress as an outer layer, and the fragmentary nature of archaeological textile evidence means that its design is open to interpretation. For ease of use, we have added side ties to the apron.

Please note that final colour and decorative elements are subject to change.

The Mammen Axe is a significant archaeological find from a high-status Viking burial discovered at Mammen, Denmark. It has been dated to 970-971 AD, and depicts detailed pagan and Christian imagery. Its decorative nature suggests it was not a practical weapon.

The axe head is 3D printed for a highly detailed and accurate replica that also allows for safe handling in the classroom.

Numismatics (the study of coins) is an excellent way to examine the symbolism of any civilisation. The coins provided are based on real finds from the Viking settlement in York, England. 

The coins are printed in plastic from a 3D model of an authentic Viking coin. 

The Viking tunic was the most common garment for men and remnants have been found in various forms. Tunics were typically made of linen or wool, suitable for the harsh northern climate, and were often layered. Some of the best preserved garments are those that were used for other purposes, namely being soaked in tar and used to plug cracks in ships!

This tunic will fit up to a 110cm chest size. Please note that final colour and decorative elements are subject to change. 

The quintessential Viking accessory! Leather belts were extremely useful to attach other objects to – scabbards, axe frogs, and purses or pouches. It is tied using the traditional wrap method and features a geometric Viking design pattern.

Viking runes are in a runic language called elder Futhark, which consists of 24 characters. Each rune has not only a sound, but also a meaning or symbol, so they can be interpreted in different ways by historians. Vikings believed they were a gift from the god Odin and had magical properties, but that did not mean that they were above writing runic graffiti! 

This hood is based on the discoveries made at a peat bog grave site discovered in 1936, in Skjold Harbor in Norway. Textiles generally deteriorate rapidly in graves, and this find was remarkably preserved due to its environment. 
Like many garments of the Viking Age, its design is very economical in terms of fabric use as it is generally only made of three or four geometric pieces. 

Tortoise brooches are commonly found among grave goods and generally consist of a set with brooches with multiple strings of wooden and stone beads strung between them.  Customarily worn in pairs on the front of a Viking woman’s dress, historians believe they were used to pin the loops of the Hangerock to the front bodice. 

Please note that final style of brooches, beads, and pendant are subject to change. 

These tattoo designs are inspired by Viking art, whether it be on coins, rune stones, tapestry, or decorated items. They include some of the key Viking art styles, including Mammen, Ringerike, Urnes, and Jelling. Some of the famous images include a detail of Sigurd killing the snake, the Maeshowe lion, and all the individual runes.

Inspired by a leather mug on display at the Jorvik Viking Centre in York, England, this artefacts provides an everyday object that showcases how much life has changed. While drinking horns are the stereotypical vessel of choice for Vikings in historical imagery, leather and wooden mugs were also used. None of these survive well in archaeology.

Also known as Viking chess, Hnefatafl was a strategic board game, unusual in the fact that it has two unequal sides. There have been several archaeological finds of game pieces and fragments of boards, but the rules of play from the Viking age have since been lost. Modern scholars have created the most likely rules, and players are recommended to try some different options.

The board is handcrafted from leather and the playing pieces are made of wood with designs burnt into them.

Only one intact helmet from the Viking Age has been found in the archaeological record, which is the Gjermundbu helmet from Norway. Other evidence comes from helmet fragments and helmets are also depicted in Viking art.  This is a commoner’s helmet; the helm is made of thick leather, reinforced by riveted leather bands.