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Stonham Barns' gripping Viking and Saxon battles and fascinating re-enactments bring record crowd of 2,000




A historical re-enactment festival attracted record crowds and participants as it rolled back the centuries to display various fascinating aspects of life in the times of Saxon and Viking people.

Having only launched in 2018, the annual event, which took place at Stonham Barns in Stonham Aspal at the end of October, attracted crowds of almost 2,000 people – almost double the 1,100 who attended last year.

Visitors were able to explore traditional jewellery crafting and coin stamping techniques, along with Saxon and Viking food, drink and music.

Wayne Fuller, Josh Myers and Simon Hare as a modern day interpretation of Vikings based on the popular TV series. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022
Wayne Fuller, Josh Myers and Simon Hare as a modern day interpretation of Vikings based on the popular TV series. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022
Almost 2,000 people attended the event. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022
Almost 2,000 people attended the event. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022
Georgia and Lilly Boxall milling corn with Pauline Nunns as Hilda from Ordgar. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022
Georgia and Lilly Boxall milling corn with Pauline Nunns as Hilda from Ordgar. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022
Pictured is Jackie Bush demonstrating Spran Weaving. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022
Pictured is Jackie Bush demonstrating Spran Weaving. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022
The event's organisers hope to have up to 500 actors involved in next year's festival. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022
The event's organisers hope to have up to 500 actors involved in next year's festival. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022

Taking centre stage was a series of action-packed battles as re-enactment groups locked swords to give a taste of how disputes were settled years ago.

“We have almost doubled our visitor numbers in one year and trebled our number of participants, with around 250 people involved in the events and activities this year, including one group from Belgium,” said festival organiser and participant Fraser Carson.

“Visitors have really enjoyed seeing history portrayed in an accurate, yet fun way, and seeing these people and their history brought to life in our Viking and Saxon camps.

Pictured is Andreas Kuchner, shaving wood to make a weaving frame. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022
Pictured is Andreas Kuchner, shaving wood to make a weaving frame. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022
Battle re-enactments formed an exciting centrepiece for the festival. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022
Battle re-enactments formed an exciting centrepiece for the festival. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022
The Saxon and Viking Festival held at Stonham Barns hosted 15 different re-enactment groups from around the country. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022
The Saxon and Viking Festival held at Stonham Barns hosted 15 different re-enactment groups from around the country. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022
Pictured is Adrian Roxburgh as Fenris, playing Hnefatafl, Viking chess. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022
Pictured is Adrian Roxburgh as Fenris, playing Hnefatafl, Viking chess. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022
Becky Stevens spinning wool. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022
Becky Stevens spinning wool. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022

“We’ve had numerous historical crafting displays, traditional food and drink, not to mention the more hands-on activities like have-a-go archery and axe throwing.

“We’re planning a two-day festival next year and hope we can get 500 people taking part, along with even bigger crowds to make us one of the largest dark-ages events in the country,” he added.



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