Greetings and Apologies for this large cross-posting which I promise will happen only once.
As you know, on October 14th and 15th 2006, there will be a re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings on the site of the original battle in England. This will be the culmination of a series of events which is planned to include the battles of Fulford and Stamford Bridge.
As in 2000, this is an 'open' event and re-enactors from all over the world are expected to attend to re-enact the battle as well as populate a large authentic Living History encampment. In all respects this event is expected to be larger than the one in 2000 when approx 1500 costumed participants (including 1100 warriors from 16 different countries) attended.
The site custodians, English Heritage, have appointed The Vikings as the major organisers for this event, and we are pleased to announce the first websites and costume guides for the event are now available online here :
http://hastings.vikingsonline.org.uk/H2006/
This website will be the source of all the official information regarding this event, and to support this endeavour two Yahoo lists have also been established. The first here : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hastings_2006 is a general discussion list for the event and any other questions related to the events of the period from 1042 - 1086.
The other is here : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hastings_ ... ouncements and is a newsletter list which will carry news about the event. Membership is open, but it can only be posted to by Event officials.
The guides not currently linked are being worked on now, and are expected to be available from the same website by the end of this month. Separate advise will follow shortly on what changes a Viking re-enactor would need to make to comply with the rules and to be able to participate.
Please be aware that:
1) The combat for this event is Rebated Steel only and the authenticity rules require that the all visible armour and helmets must be correct for the period.
2) The Living History encampment will be open to the public from 10.00am to 5.00pm and will have strict rules for participation during those hours.
As stated at the top of this message, this is an open event and all those interested in the period and comply with the event rules and standards are invited to attend regardless of which other society they are members of.
This posting has been as comprehensive as possible, but please feel free to pass it on to any relevant private lists that you may also be a member of.
Guthroth