Join The Friends of Thynghowe at Sherwood Pines over the weekend of 11th and 12th May, when the brilliant re-enactors of Regia Anglorum will be returning to Sherwood, for the annual Viking Spring Thing. Throughout each day there will be displays by warriors in the arena, culminating in a major battle the afternoon. You can also experience the calmer side of the Viking Age by wandering around the authentic living history camp watching demonstrations of a wide range of crafts and chatting to the experts about their skills.
You can celebrate Sherwood’s rich Viking heritage between 10.00am and 4.00pm on each day. This is a free event although the usual Sherwood Pines parking charges apply.
The Spring Thing is one of Regia Anglorum’s major events, attracting re-enactors for all over the country to one of their favourite venues. Last year around 80 warriors were battling in the arena and it is hoped that they all survived to return this year! The Spring Thing is organised by the Forestry Commission, Regia Anglorum and The Friends of Thynghowe.
The era they are celebrating began in the year 865, when the Viking Great Heathen Army invaded. After occupying York in 866 they moved south to Nottingham in 867 where they were confronted by the armies of the kingdoms of Mercian and Wessex. After a negotiated withdrawal back to York they established winter camps alongside the River Trent at Torksey and Repton, before moving south to Wessex for the battles against King Alfred’s army.
The Friends of Thynghowe is a local history group involved in organising events to share the heritage of northern Sherwood. Thynghowe is a Viking Age site on the borders of Warsop, Budby and Edwinstowe where ‘Thing’ assemblies would have been held by the Danish Vikings who settled in the area following the invasion. For more information go to www.facebook.com/thynghowe and www.thynghowe.org.uk.