History was one of my favourite subjects at school. Apart from an unhealthy obsession with the Nazis the bits I really liked were the stories concerning big battles and macho cultures.

They didn't really come much more unreconstructed than the Vikings whose two favourite pastimes were invading and raping. And fighting. And drinking.

York was a hugely significant centre in the Viking world and next week sees the 25th Annual Jorvik Viking Festival wherein all things Viking will be celebrated. So polish up your horned helmet and have a look at some of the events planned:

• Coppergate Camp - Learn about Viking life at sea and on dry land in this fun encampment, then delve for buried artefacts and DIG for Viking Treasure.
• Stage Fighting - A chance to learn a choreographed fight routine under the guidance of a stage fighting expert! Suitable for ages 12 and over.
• Viking Textile Demonstration - find out how to use a drop spindle, pick up some Anglo-Saxon embroidery tips and discover what 'Sprang' is!

There's loads more over at the official festival website, along with times, prices etc.

But the highlight of the week will be the chance to see over 200 taxi drivers, postmen, and assorted angry young men wearing chainmail and bashing each other about on the Knavesmire. With axes.

The Yorkshire Attractions website says:

The Festival Battle Finale will take place on Saturday 20th February at York Racecourse and will see 200 Vikings re-enact the battle, which will culminate in the burning of the bodies of the three slain kings in a magnificent boat burning and low level fire art display.

Sarah Maltby, Director of Attractions at York Archaeological Trust, which owns the JORVIK Viking Centre, says:

“This will be a spectacular finale to our 25th anniversary event with some magnificent special effects and fantastic fire displays. For the first time since 1999 there will be a boat burning of an 80ft Viking ship and there will be close combat demonstrations and one-on-one fighting. There is capacity for 2000 people and we expect tickets to sell quickly for this extravaganza event.”

You had me at boat burning!

Go along and celebrate York's wonderful Viking heritage at what promises to be a spectacular finale.

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Post last updated: 2010-02-12 09:36:46