I barely touched my guitar after getting mine. Still experimenting with different scales, but I think I have landed on something decent. Feels like I'm learning it all over again now that I've changed my tuning routine.

My friend has one with taplow mounts and a body in woad with madder tuning pegs. I put a picture up in "show us your kits..." a month or so ago, I believe it is possible to barely make out my lyre in the background.

I can see two fine looking lyres. The Taplow with woad looks very like mine. I can't play mine at all, though!

Paul

Come on Bruce you do not look fat, just well fed! Nothing wrong with that.

You gents and your ladies really are doing a great job doing this. My wife'd likely not be happy if I added another kit to my current one but I am really getting into it. I have always loves the Anglian helmet book and all the neat early medieval helmets in it. I am working on a late Roman cavalry helmet that is sort of like some of them.

I'd love to use some of your pictures for my early medieval section I am doing if that is alright with you.

If anyone has info on medieval music my wife is interested in learning about it but I have to admit I am finding very little on the subject, especially in playing of said instruments.

RPM

Wauw ! Stunning pictures and beautiful reconstructions ! :D

Sadly there is really little information to be gathered on early medieval and iron age secular music. On my lyres I often play an interpretation of the Freisinger Petruslied, which is the oldest german religious composition we have apparently, dating to the 9th century.

Sequentia and Benjamin Bagby have done a lot of good work in the vein of comparative reconstruction, and I think that is more or less the way to go when it comes to trying to establish something at least a little bit close to plausible. Though I think they sometimes sound a little polished. Still intersting work though.

Ah but it suits you sir, Matt...how about posting some of your nicely executed scabbards here for the pleasure of fellow forumites?

best
Dave

Good idea, Dave .... green is definitely your colour Matt! Some scabbards, please.

Paul

Beautiful work

if his is 'beating it until it fits"

i eagerly await the time you use even more complex techniques because that is really good,

Really, really nice work!

I've seen quite a bit of this work and you fellows in your kit over in the Vendel research thread and elsewhere, floating around the WWW... But the images posted here give me no doubt in my mind that you collective lot are one of the most inspired, dedicated and researched reenactment groups on the face of the planet today.

Enjoy yourselves. This is all magnificent. Truly.

-Gregory

Hi

On behalf of Wulfheodenas Gregory, thank you for your kind words and support. It is fair comment to say that we are not alone and that there are many equally passionate groups and individuals who excel in what they do. As a group we have been fortunate to bring together a base of excellent crafts-folk who by their own skills and commitment to their art have aided us in realising our recreations.

best wishes
Dave

Hi Gregory

My apologies if you felt I was implying that you where overlooking other groups, that was not my intent but wished to acknowledge other re-enactors and living historians who also suffer a malady of passion , or in our case as Paul names it.... Vendel Madness!

All the very best
Dave

Your welcome Gregory

May I further add that the vision of Arion Ziliox of the Germany based group Ulfhednar, whose wonderful recreations of Merovingian artifacts and credo of grave assembly recreations provided many of us with the inspiration to what was possible and further push our own boundaries.

best
Dave

Hi All,
just to let any interested parties know, Our Group, 'Wulfheodenas' feature in the National Geographic Documentary, Lost gold of the Dark ages, which airs in the US on Monday 7th Nov, (tomorrow) at 9pm (I think, check listings).
Mainly about the Staffordshire hoard and consequently the Anglo Saxon warrior aristocracy. However, as you will notice the several Vendel/ Valsgarde helms and bit and bobs, this is to allude to the 'press blech' helm that the fragments found in the hoard probably belonged to. Also given the cultural relationship of Sutton Hoo and the Swedish royal graves, we felt this was acceptable within the bounds of authenticity., You will of course recognise fellow forumites, Paul Mortimer, Matt Bunker, Dave Huggins and myself among the rest of our brooding warband. Enjoy.