Battlefield structure

Jarl - the commander,
Hoevding - 2nd in command,when jarl is absent,
Hirdmenn - basic combat strength of Drott.


Essential armament and fighting equipment :

Damping material

- a wool or linen aketon, which is at least 1cm (0.5 inch) thick and which protects at least the core body and arms from the shoulders to the elbows and the top half of the thigh.

Armor

- chain mail or scale (metal or leather - at least 4mm thick and hardened), which protect core body and arms from the shoulders to the elbows and the top half of the thigh.

Helmet

- Scandinavian type: vendel, norman or bizantine. Time frames: years 750 - 1050.

Gloves

- allowing a firm grip, hardened with steel, rivets or chain mail. Should provide aesthetics and be light as possible.

Weapon

- spear, sword, bow, axe, scramasax.

Shield

- 70cm in diameter, should be painted red and black.

Weapon:

Swords:

- maximum weight limit - 1.5kg,
- cutting edges should be rounded,
- cutting edges should be at least 1mm thick,
- swords with a provisional handle are unacceptable,
- even a mediocre sword should be well-kept and decorated as much as the owner can afford.

Axes:

- fer maximum upper weight is 1kg,
- fer edges should be rounded,
- fer edges should be at least 2,5mm thick,
- handle should be made from oak, ash or beech,
- the fer has to be strongly fix on to the handle,
- in case of two handed axes, the handle should not be longer than the owner,
- both, fer and handle, should have historical shapes *)

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*according to the Petersen axes typology present at Osprey Military Warrior Series 3: Viking Hersir 793 - 1066 A.D.

Sax, scramasax:

- cutting edges should be rounded,
- cutting edges should be at least 1mm thick,
- knifes without or with a provisional handle are unacceptable,
- every knife should be held in a suitable sheath,
- to hold a knife behind a belt or sleeve is prohibited.

Spears:

- lade height should not be less than 1.5mm,
- cutting edges should be rounded,
- utting edges should be at least 1.5mm thick,
- the blade has to be strongly fixed to the handle,
- maximum handle height is 2,2 meters.

Helmets:
- every part of the helmet should be at least 2mm thick,
- the main body of helmet should be strengthened to 4mm,
- every helmet should have a suitable cushioning material,
- every helmet should have leather chin straps attaching it to the head,
- every helmet should have chain mail or scale neck protection.

Shields:
- the boss of a shield should be at least 2mm thick,
- the board should be at least 1.5mm thick; plywood - 1.2mm,
- the edge should be covered with leather covering at least 1mm thick (chemically strengthened)
- battle shield must have a suitable handle.

Battlefield safety:

Completely prohibited:

- to strike unprotected body parts,
- to stab above the collarbone,
- breakers (strikes in order to break a bone),
- to strike the neck.

General rules:
Our group.s activities are based on mutual respect and trust. Although those values are seldom demonstrated, they show the true strength and value of our foundation. Each warrior should be a representative of their group and should not be seen as a coward, boor or drunk.

© 2005 Thjodmar Ivarsson (Paweł Staniszewski) Panser Galter Drott - Wrocławska Drużyna Wikingów [PGD]