Viking Warriors and workers put the finishing touches to the long ship that will be burned in the dramatic finale to this year’s 25th anniversary JORVIK Viking Festival at York Racecourse on Saturday (20 February). With fire jugglers, warrior skirmishes, special effects and fireworks, it is the most ambitious re-enactment event ever attempted in York and will tell the gruesome story of the Battle of Woden’s field in 910AD. The battle was between the forces of the Anglo-Saxon noble Ealdred (who had risen to power in the north of England, thanks to the power vacuum in York brought about by the deaths of the three Viking kings) and the Norse-Gael leaders Ragnall and Sihtric, Viking warriors from Ireland (who had set their sights on the throne of York). Over 200 Vikings will re-enact the battle, with close combat demonstrations and one-on-one fighting, culminating in the burning of the bodies of three slain kings in a magnificent 80-feet boat burning and fire art display.  |
The event is organised by the JORVIK Viking Centre in York, which has a fascinating reconstruction of York's streets as they would have been in AD975.
Tickets for the festival are available online from www.jorvikbookings.com or tel: (01904) 615505. Adults £10. Concessions £7.50. Family of four £30. Family of five £35.
