In September, the Aveland History Group held a Viking Festival in Threekingham, Lincolnshire, as part of a five-year plan to move from village to village, highlighting a facet of the history and heritage of each place. The Viking Society’s contribution paid for a comprehensive lecture programme, meaning that all visitors could hear experts give a range of lectures for free on the Scandinavian forbears in this part of the Danelaw, as well as the extent of their activities further afield.
Over the two days, we offered a range of activities and materials – there were almost 300 enactors in costume and settled in a living history camp, where they engaged with the public on all aspects of their life in Viking times; Lindissi had kids making beads and smelting metal for decorative objects to wear; our archaeologists had kids digging in the dirt, unearthing pottery fragments and other treasures as they hit a wall (sadly more 17th century than Viking!) within the first hour of digging.
The Viking theme was selected because of the reference to two days of fighting at the Battle of Stow in 870 AD in Threekingham in the Crowland Chronicle. It is recorded that the Great Heathen Army met the Anglo Saxons and, after an initial defeat, were victorious on the second day, slaughtering all the enemy. Our introductory speaker on Friday night was able to provide some supporting context for this, with new research into the winter camps of Vikings at Torksey and Aldwark. With the archaeology test pit and opportunities for children to learn Viking battle techniques, experiential insights were delivered to a young audience, bringing history vividly to life.
The lecture programme explored the history of Viking activity, especially in the Danelaw. We learned about their innovation in boat building and textiles; how the gender roles were divided and the life of a heroine of the Anglo Saxon era. We also heard about the reach of the Norsemen, with some being represented in the Crusades a little over 200 years after the battle we commemorated. The Aveland History Group continues to work with other local history groups to create a legacy of community interest and participation in researching and learning more about our villages and their role in the broader sweep of British and world history. We have launched an electronic archive: www.avelandarchive.org.uk to collect memories and images from the area.
Graydon Jones of Folkingham took a few photos of the day, which you can enjoy here.