Vikings! Of Middle England

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Vikings! Of Middle England
Founded	1991
Location	Leicester, United Kingdom
Period	Early Middle Ages
Speciality	Combat reenactment, Living History, Special Effects, Education
Members	100-200
Member groups	0
Website	http://www.vikingsofmiddleengland.co.uk/

[edit] Overview

The Vikings! Of Middle England (also known as Tÿrslið) is a UK (Leicester) based, non-commercial, non-political organisation with the aim of re-enacting, with realistic combat (including special effects) and living history, the 'Dark Age' period between 793AD and 1100AD. Tÿrslið's ultimate aim is to entertain and educate an audience using a mix of drama, historical context, demonstration and audience participation.

[edit] Objectives & Membership

Tÿrslið (pronounced tear’s’lee’th) aim to display an 'authentic' feeling Dark Age environment through the means of combat reenactment, drama and living history at locations around the UK and further afield. Members can be either combatant or non-combatant.

Living History is presented with interactivity in mind, and the general public are encouraged not only to be spectators, but participants in several activities from archery to coin minting.

Combat is performed at a high quality, and all members receive training in the use of the seax and trained to be on the receiving end from all weapons, before they are allowed to take part. As safety and terrain allows, combat precedence is given to fast, ‘showy’ and violent looking displays, and all combatants are taught how to ‘look dangerous, but fight safely’ using blunt steel replica weapons. Tÿrslið aims to portray combat at its most realistic and visceral, rather than Disney-esque and glamorous, special effects are used to enhance this facet. Combatants are not allowed on the field if they are under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs (and in some cases medication that can impair a combatant).

Dramatisations of historical events and possible common social functions are usually presented. Some scenes require planning and players are given scripts and directions to get the best out of their character. Spontaneous scenarios are also played out, sometimes with special effects and pre-planned, but more often played ad-lib.

Combatants and non-combatants are treated as equals. Tÿrslið does not discriminate on the grounds of race, gender, sexual orientation or disability. Members can join from anywhere and there are no restrictions on membership by geographical area. Full members, though, are required to attend at least one in every four training sessions, which are held weekly. Auxiliary members have no such expectation, though they are expected to pay a yearly fee, full members are free, but with a small subsidy to be paid at training sessions (to pay for the venue).

Combatants must be at least 16 years old.

Tÿrslið aims to be a family-orientated group, for both members and spectators. Members who have children are offered childcare during the hours of any event and children have their own playgroup which is supervised at all times. Older children can be trained to participate on stalls, or take part in archery, again, being supervised by an adult.

[edit] History

Tÿrslið was originally a member society of the 'The Vikings' (previously known as the Norse Film & Pageant Society) before breaking off and becoming independent of any re-enactment umbrella societies in 1991.

Tÿrslið are notable for their non-politically correct approach to realism, with hard, fast and violent combat while often using special effects to enhance their events. Critics have accused Tÿrslið of bluring the edges of reality and fantasy, but Tÿrslið are cited for making no apologies for their approach to re-enactment [1] and have proven their historical integrity with strong ties to the British Museum, and several historical sites (such as Tutbury Castle), also going so far as having a dedicated research team to keep up with the latest discoveries and paradigms.

Since leaving The Vikings, Tÿrslið has grown in reputation and enjoys good relations with several other societies who they work closely with at their events. Most notably, is the Icelandic Horse Society of Great Britain [2] which adds another dimension to displays.

In the last few years, Tÿrslið have also worked alongside: