Viking re-enactors bring history to Brandon

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This article was published 10/03/2025 (192 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Visitors to the Westman Gaming Expo at the Keystone Centre over the weekend were transported back in time as Viking re-enactors with the Markland Vikings demonstrated their crafts, combat skills, and historical knowledge.

Among the highlights of the event were live demonstrations of Viking wire weaving, traditional metalworking and ancient weapons, all part of an immersive experience that showcased the daily life of the Norse people.

Lesley Lindal-Dobson, a Viking history re-enactor, was among those sharing their knowledge with attendees. Working on Viking wire weaving to craft jewelry, she explained that many of the designs she recreates are based on archaeological finds from the early 900s, predominantly from Scandinavia, Iceland, and Sweden.

“My alter ego is a farmer and fisherman,” Lindal-Dobson said, describing how she portrays an Icelandic settler. “I work the land, string nets, catch eels and dry fish for the winter. Our society is based on barter trading — if you’re good at something, you use that skill to pay for something else you need.”

Lindal-Dobson, who traces her lineage to Leif Erikson and Erik the Red, has been involved in Viking re-enactment for over a decade. Her youngest son, 14, is training in Viking combat and historical gaming, preparing to join battle re-enactments within the next two years.

The re-enactors of Markland Vikings strive for historical authenticity in every aspect of their portrayal. From hand-sewn clothing and handcrafted leather shoes to historically accurate weapons and household tools, they ensure their artifacts align with archaeological evidence.

“We pass our knowledge along orally, just as the Vikings did,” Lindal-Dobson explained. “We rely on grave finds for accuracy. Many written sources embellish history, so we focus on physical evidence — scraps of fabric preserved under brooches, weapons with metal components still intact, and other artifacts recovered from burial sites.”

Phillip Bollman, another re-enactor at the event, portrayed a Viking silversmith, demonstrating how Norse people used silver as currency. He showcased the process of casting silver bars, hammering them into jewelry, and explained how Vikings would cut pieces of their silver adornments to make payments in a world with limited coinage.

“Vikings didn’t have a lot of minted coins,” Bollman said. “Instead, they used their jewelry as money. If they needed to pay for something, they would simply clip off a piece of silver from a bracelet or necklace.”

Historical re-enactment is more than a pastime — it’s a way of preserving and celebrating Viking-era traditions, James Welbourne told the Sun. As second-in-command of the Markland Vikings’ national combat training system, as well as the local chapter Claimhte Solais (Irish for Swords of Light), he has spent over two decades mastering and passing on ancient skills.

Though modern re-enactment may seem like a re-invention of the past, Welbourne explains that many historical techniques have been meticulously preserved through archaeological research.

“There is a surprising number of people in the parent society in England who, through archaeology and research, have preserved the skills,” he said. Social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube allow the group to connect with experts overseas and refine their craft.

While these skills are rooted in historical accuracy, each craftsman adds a personal touch. “They know how to do their woodworking, but I might go about it slightly differently just because that works better for me,” Welbourne noted. This means that even objects from the same period, like Viking chests, can show subtle variations — a detail that would have existed historically from village to village.

Welbourne’s connection to Viking history is more than just academic — it’s personal.

“My ancestors came to England with Harold Bluetooth, and I’m also connected to the Irish who fought against the Vikings with Brian Boru,” he shared. But he is not the only one in his family keeping these traditions alive. His wife, children, and even his mother-in-law are all involved. “I’m one of the few guys who has gotten to go out and fight with his mother-in-law — with swords,” he joked.

He explained the Markland Vikings, which includes members from Yorkton, Brandon, Winnipeg, and Dauphin, travel across the Prairie provinces for historical events and demonstrations. With the Westman Gaming Expo marking the start of their season, he added, the group looks forward to furthering their mission of bringing Viking history to life through authentic and educational experiences.

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