In these categories, we wish to illustrate the variety and depth of characters and artefacts used in the performance of a scenario. We hope to develop these categories throughout the historical periods, lending an insight into the genre of living history

Viking

These are the writings of an Irish monk circa 830AD

The wind is fierce and wild to-night.
It tosses the top of the waves to white
On such a night I take my ease
Fierce Northmen only cross the quiet seas.

Leif Olafson

Leif Olafson is part of the Viking settlement on Lough Foyle. He is a yarl of noble birth and originally came from Norway, he is known as one of the Finn-gaill or white foreigners.

In the year 866, Aéd Finnliath son of Niall Caille and King of Tara with a mighty force drove the Nordmenn out of the northern part of Ireland. There was much slaughter, twelve score heads were taken.

Leif is married to Aife, fourth daughter to one of the Airgialla petty kings. He is a hostage involved in the series of treaties and alliances at the time. Although he has a wife at home he took Aife in the fourth category of marriage and they have a daughter, Neabh.

Leif can remember back to his childhood, sitting around the central fire in the long halls with his kin, listening to the sagas and deeds of the gods and giants. Stories of exploration, blood feuds and hunting in the land of the big white falcon.

Artefacts included in this presentation are:- Norseman (Viking), axe, chain mail, swords and falcon. Celtic cheiftain's daughter, food, family, weaving, dying and learning to write in runic.

Leif's character is used exclusively as one of our products for schools, to find out more about our educational living history products click here.