A medieval weather vane from a ship. This, like other weather vanes, was eventually placed on a church, in this case Tingelstad Church. It is currently on display in Kulturhistorisk museet in Oslo.
A weather vane from a Viking Age ship. This, like other weather vanes, was eventually placed on Heggum Church. It is currently on display in Kulturhistorisk museet in Oslo.
There are many ships depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry. They are Anglo-Saxon and Norman models, but they would have been of very similar construction to Scandinavian ships at this date, and we can learn a lot about the decoration of the ships from…
Roskilde 6 was discovered in 1997 during work to extend the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde. The 37 meter Viking warship is the largest yet discovered, and had apparently been wrecked on the shore near Roskilde. Only 20% of the timbers survived, but…
Roskilde 6 was discovered in 1997 during work to extend the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde. The 37 meter Viking warship is the largest yet discovered, and had apparently been wrecked on the shore near Roskilde. Only 20% of the timbers survived, but…
Documentary about the replica of the Gokstad ship that crossed the Atlantic in the late nineteenth century. For more information, see http://www.vikingship.us/bps_documentary.htm
Saga Oseberg is an exact replica of the early-ninth-century Oseberg ship, found in a burial mound in near Tønsberg in Vestfold, Norway. It is one of the best preserved Viking ships (virtually complete), and has a length of almost 22 meters. It…
For more information see http://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/visit-the-museum/exhibitions/the-five-reconstructions/the-sea-stallion-from-glendalough-skuldelev-2/
The gunwale of the Sea Stallion may have been fitted with a washboard, as pictured here. This helps to prevent excess water breaking over the side of the ship, particularly in big swell. For more information see…
Two crew members rowing as part of a team of 30 on board Havhingsten. Note the removal of deck planks to allow for a more efficient rowing position. For more information see…
Great co-ordination is needed to distribute the oars used on the Sea Stallion, particularly when they need to be deployed quickly. For more information see…
The beitass is used to secure the lower corner of the sail - it is particularly important when sailing close to the wind, and takes significant force from the sail. A team of four are needed to move the beitass. For more information see…
For more information see http://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/visit-the-museum/exhibitions/the-five-reconstructions/the-sea-stallion-from-glendalough-skuldelev-2/
For more information see http://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/visit-the-museum/exhibitions/the-five-reconstructions/the-sea-stallion-from-glendalough-skuldelev-2/
The oars in the resting position. Note the red tack oar, used to set the pace. For more information see http://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/visit-the-museum/exhibitions/the-five-reconstructions/the-sea-stallion-from-glendalough-skuldelev-2/
Ropes used on the Sea Stallion are hemp ropes made in a traditional manner - hemp ropes dating to the Viking Age do survive, though horse hair and seal-skin ropes were also used. For more information see…