Gerjermundbu Grave I
This Viking man is inspired by the Viking grave Gjermundbu I.
The Norse Viking grave of Gjermundbu is very well-known. It is one of the few places where a complete Viking helmet has been found. Another unique discovery is a large number of fragments of a chainmail shirt (hauberk). Gjermundbu Grave II was also excavated, but was less richly equipped. When we write about the Gjermundbu grave below, we're talking about Gjermundbu I.
The grave dates from the second half of the 10th century. To keep the composition accessible, we haven't made an exact reconstruction of the grave. First, because we don't want everyone walking around in a direct copy of the equipment, so you maintain more room for your own interpretation when putting together your outfit. And secondly, because not every object found in the grave has a reproduction we can use. We've also left out items such as cooking equipment, horses, and an enormous sledge, the eight arrows and probably associated quiver and bow.
For convenience, we've given this Viking man a name: Arne.
Arne was clearly from a very wealthy aristocrat. His cremated body was buried with a helmet, a chainmail shirt, shields (only 4 shield bosses remain), a Petersen type S sword, 2 axes of Petersen type K, three spears of Petersen types G, K and M, eight arrows, spurs, stirrups, horse bits, a sledge and rattles, cooking equipment and tools.
Viking Clothing
Unfortunately, no fragments of Arne's clothing remained. But he probably lived in the Ringerike area in southern Norway (near Oslo) and was buried in winter.
Viking tunic
The underclothing Arne wears is a simple unbleached under tunic.
Over his under tunic, Arne wears a warm woollen tunic. The luxurious red reflects his wealth. If he had been poorer, he probably would have worn brown, green or yellow.
Viking puff trousers
As trousers, he wears puff trousers as depicted on most men in the 9th century Oseberg tapestry, on the Runestone of Lillbjärs and on the stone of Broa (Halla, Gotland) and the 10th century Viking cross of Weston in England.
Viking kaftan
Kaftans are depicted on the stones of Etelhem and Lärbro in Gotland, and possibly on the aforementioned Oseberg tapestry. The brown color is a personal choice; he could have even worn an embroidered blue or red kaftan.
Viking hood
In this composition, Arne wears a hood. Hoods were already worn during Roman times. An 8th century original was found on Orkney, an 11th century original was found in the grave at Herjolfsnes.
No leg wrappings or cloak?
Because no hooks for leg wrappings or brooches for cloaks were found in Arne's grave, we chose to avoid the cloak and leg wrappings in this reconstruction.
Viking belt
In the Gjermundbu grave, we found no belt fittings or buckles. That's why we chose a belt with as little hardware as possible.
Viking shoes
Arne wears shoes based on originals found in the northern English city of York.
Armor
Viking sword
In the Gjermundbu grave, a Viking sword, Petersen type S, was found. Hence our choice for this particular sword of the same type.
Viking axes
The grave contained two axes of Petersen type K. For variety, we've used both a Petersen type K and a Petersen type A.
Viking shield
Arne was buried with no fewer than four shields. The wood had rotted away over the centuries. Viking shields consisted of multiple planks fastened together. In the center is a hole where the shield boss is attached on the back. Like the originals, this replica consists of multiple parts. The shield rim is wrapped in leather.
Viking spears
In the grave, Arne had three spears with him. But Arne only has two hands and he already had to hold his axes. That's why we've skipped the spears in this shoot. In the Gjermundbu grave, spears of Petersen type G, K and M were found.
Bow & arrows
Eight arrows were found in the Gjermundbu grave. In this reconstruction, we chose not to integrate these arrows. Viking aristocrats often were buried with a great diversity of weaponry. Not all of these weapons were worn at the same time. Vikings used both the traditional European longbow (langbogi) and the recurve bow. The general term for bow was hornbogi, which could refer to a bow made of multiple layers including horn, so a recurve bow.
Viking Gjermundbu helmet
Of course, Arne wears the famous Gjermundbu helmet, named after the discovery site. Only a few Viking helmets and fragments of Viking helmets have been found: Gjermundbu, Yarm, Tjele, Lokrume, Kyif. Possibly because the helmets were too unique to take into a grave, possibly because spangenhelms consist of multiple parts and are more perishable over time, or possibly because Vikings generally wore very few helmets.
Chainmail shirt, hauberk
The fragments from the grave form the best preserved and documented armor from the Viking period. Usually only a few rings or small fragments of chainmail shirts are found. Chainmail shirts were extremely expensive at the time and were probably reused and repaired for as long as possible. Also Anglo-Saxon and Byzantine sources mention Vikings wearing chainmail shirts. The chainmail shirt that Arne was buried with is short and has short sleeves. It reaches approximately hip height.
