Our history

Creation – in the beginning

The Auckland Norsemen was created in 1988 with prodding from pacifist warfare societies, four enthusiasts founded the group using paper swords and flour bombs. This soon proved inadequate, and steel swords were made, and we haven't looked back! Our founders are still active in the group, maintaining a depth of experience and continuity seldom found in any NZ club.

In 1997 the permission to be called "Waikato Norsemen" was requested and given by the soon to be King, Franush Blodaxe. Founded by a dwarf and a punga folk relations between the NZN's two largest groups is often cordial with the rebellious Waikato Norsemen often drifting from the guidence of the superior Auckland Norsemen. However, once the mead and ale flows once again the Norsemen is one.

In 1999 alongside the Waikato Norsemen The Auckland Norsemen became the founding member group of the 'New Zealand Norsemen Living History Society' a not–for–profit Viking Age living history society (LHS) based on to the period 1000 to 1066, although the society maintains interest and activities from the recognised period 793 to 1066.

As a LHS we are involved in all aspects of Old Norse society such as religion, warfare, arts, and industry. We have built our own Viking long house 'Bardulfheim' and have been involved in the building many others, some in excess of 20 metres in length and have spent months living in thatched log houses cooking on fires.

 

 

Organisation and hierarchy

General Hierarchy

As a living history society, it is important for us to portray accurately as many facets of Viking Age culture as is possible. To facilitate this we emulate the class structure common in northern Europe during our period.

Þræll– a slave, these are our newest members and as such represent the lowest level of society. With no rights of any kind and the least amount of clothing and equipment and only limited training þrælls are the workers. They do however play an integral part in the background running of events and serving of the Konungr and Hersir's. As part of the skjaldborg they use plain white shields. After 6 months of service and completion of minimum clothing and equipment they may seek to rise to higher things.

Bondis– a free man, they are our established members and by far the largest proportion of members. These are our freemen with voting rights; made up of drengr, kaupmaðr, skirvir and many others they use white shields with a red ling worm.

Hersir –a land owner or ranking official. These are Norsemen whom have been with the club for 5 years or more. Experienced in battle, rich in material items and with þrælls of their own, the Hersir is an officer and will often be found at times leading small bands of Norsemen into battle. Hersir use an opposite red shield with white lingwyrm.

Jarl –an Earl or noble, is the leader of local groups. He needs to be confident and stalwart, decisive and of great intelligence. The Jarl uses a half red and white and half white and red shield and lingwyrm.

National Hierarchy

Herstjóri– is military commander, also secretary of the New Zealand Norsemen. He is in charge of all combat related activities and issues. This is a national role. In times of conflict and war the Herstjóri may name others as Herstjóri and they become the field commanders with the same authority. The Herstjóri uses a red shield with white large lingwyrm and black small lingwyrm.

Rekringmaðr– is treasurer of the New Zealand Norsemen conducts all accounting tasks required of an incorporated Society. The Rekringmaðr has no specific shield as it is not an expected combat role, if fighting however he would use a Hersir shield.

Konungr– is king is the chairperson of the New Zealand Norsemen. The Konungr holds the final decision in all society matters. The role of Konungr is not voted upon nor is it an attainable rank to any of the NZ Norsemen, the Konungr therefore can not be replaced. Just like historical Vikings we are loyal to death to the Konungr and all combatants swear oaths of allegiance at our annual Thorrablot feast. He uses a quartered shield of opposite red and white lingwyrm.

Martial Arts and weapons training

The New Zealand Norsemen train as a martial arts group using blunted steel weapons which are often replicas of actual Vikings weapons. With a free style type combat akin to boxing with weapons we recreate large shield walls and learn to use sæx – a knife of any size, øx – hand axe, skjold – shield, brandr – sword, geirr – spear, fleinn – a throwing spear and a langr øx – a two handed long axe We unfortunately have little interclub competition due to the very small number other groups that compete in steel weapon head blow combat in New Zealand. In Australia nearly all societies are head blow. We have defeated all those whom have stood against us, the Celts, the Pechenegs and the Herlið. We also cater for younger members 10 to 14 year olds whom train in similar regimented exercises as more familiar martial arts such as Karate or For members of the Youth group

 

Events

We involve ourselves in events such as the Taupo 'Great Lakes Tourney' where we have held the titles of 'Foot Combat Grand Champions' and 'Foot combat individual Champion', and this year won Most Authentic Campsite by public and official vote. We also perform at public displays such as the Auckland Highland Games and the New Zealand Body Art Awards, and the odd Christmas parade. We religiously attend 'The Gathering' hosted by NEMAS in New South Wales, Australasia's largest Dark Age Living History Event. The Armidale gathering is attended by hundreds of people and held in an authentic Dark Age long hall, the long hall and many other houses set within a mature state pine forest

We have in the past attended NAAMA the 'National Association of Ancient and Medieval Arts, however we no longer regularly attend this event due to a severe lack of historical accuracy and the fact that there are no authenticity requirements.

Education

Dispelling the many myths and misconceptions about Vikings, we also visit schools; education is a fundamental part of our society. We provide for all educational Institutions an appropriate level of practical and theoretical education on the Viking's from ’live’ demonstrations of coin and jewellery manufacture to carving, battle displays and historical facts. With over three decades of combined educational experience visiting schools we were finally given the Opportunity to share our knowledge as the 'living display' at Auckland War Memorial Museum during the 'Volvo Vikings' exhibition. All society members and visiting participants equipment was inspected for authenticity as well as functionality. This ensured that when on display, the public, would have an as 'realistic' view into the Viking Age as possible. Senior Society members spent hours in lecture type educational speeches, daily authentic Norse saga reciting, many original members’ sagas, puppet shows, combat displays, multiple workshops including weaving, chainmail construction, leatherwork, coin manufacture, religion historical facts and so much more.

Membership Societies and Individuals

The New Zealand Norsemen is made up of Society groups and individuals world wide. As the NZ Norsemen we are associated with many individuals in New Zealand from places as afar as Keri Keri and Wellington. Member Societies are Auckland Norsemen, Waikato Norsemen, Tauranga Norsemen and Northland Norsemen. Internationally we are associated with Nemas our war brothers the New England Medieval Arts Society from New South Wales in Australia and with Rygene from Starvanger, Rogaland in Norway.

Current Leadership

Auckland

There is currently no serving President- Jarl. In his absence the Konungr holds the title. One way a man may become a Jarl is to be elected. Once the Jarl has been elected his term is not governed by a time frame. He will remain as Jarl until one of the Hersir raise a challenge at the Althing. Then a democratic election is held and won by a majority vote. The Hersir counsel and advise in the form of the Thing. The Jarl has ultimate say within his Jarldom and just like during the Viking Age only men may be the Jarl. We either wax or wane under the strength of the Jarl.

Another way a Hersir can become the Jarl if new leadership is required between Althings, is that the Hersir with the Konungr's permission and majority support from Bondis and other Hersir may challenge the Jarl for the leadership. He must combat the Konungr in a fist fight to prove his worth. This, if successful, is followed by a competition of the Jarls choosing, fought between the Jarl and the Hersir. This 'competition can be of any description and will often be severely testing to the Hersir challenging.

New Zealand

Nationally we are managed by the four traditional roles of an Incorporated society; chairperson, secretary treasurer and committee.

The current Chairperson or Konungr is Franush Bloodaxe whom has held the position since the inauguration of the New Zealand Norsemen in 1999.

                                                        

The current Secretary or Herstjóri is Franush. The current treasurer or Rekringmað is Franush.

Any questions or queries of interest are most welcome and can be directed to the details on our Contact page