Norse Household in the SCA - Part 2- Traditions

The Norse people in the 10c had a rich culture based on community and interactions with those around them. This ranged from their in-depth law system to traditions of hospitality and gift giving. No good Norse household would be complete without their own traditions and ways of doing things. Welcome to the second part of my blog on a Norse household based on the 10c!

Before we dive fully into the specifics of what I would see as important things for a house to do together, let’s discuss things that were important for this culture during this time period. The first of these I’ll discuss is boasting. Throughout the Sagas and in Hollywood, you see the Norse portrayed as braggadocious, exaggerating their deeds. While this is mostly true, the difference is where it came from. The boast wasn't just a place for someone to say how amazing they were, it was a way to entertain the listeners and to tell the tale of who the speaker was. There was also a second kind of boasting, one where a speaker would say what they are going to do! Now this actually isn't unique to the Norse; we know that certain tribes of American Indians on the eve before battle would boast about what deeds they would accomplish the next day. The raucous boasts, both of past deeds and of future glories, are a way to bond with others. In a warriors group, or in a community that is self contained, that sort of bonding is crucial and forms a sense of common interest and connection to the others when things are tough. It is my opinion that these types of connections, as much as the laws, is what made communities function as well as they did.

When connection and laws weren't enough to keep the wheels of a community turning smoothly, there were meetings which were called Things. Every year, there was an Allthing where all important matters were discussed. The Allthing was also important because it was a place for grievances to be aired and addressed before they got out of hand. This open

Curedale Hoard in the British Museum. Contains examples
of gifts and armbands.

handling of grievances between parties helped keep issues from escalating. It wasn't always successful, as blood feuds and vengeance were not uncommon during the Viking Age. Beyond all these gubernatorial functions of the Allthing, it was also where people swore their oaths to the Jarl or Hersir that presided over the Allthing. It was a time to renew the bonds of fealty that kept all the separate families together. Typically, these oaths were met with gifts from the person receiving the oath to show their appreciation, and to give the person making the oath something of tangible value for their service. This brings us into the tradition of gift giving, Norse culture, from what I have been able to read, was very much into gift giving. This played into the idea of hospitality, but it was also a subtle (or sometimes not so subtle) way to show off how much a person had. If they could afford a gift, they obviously had plenty. This sort of ties into the boasting attitude that the Norse were known for. It gives them a chance to show off, but also put their money where their mouth is, which are the greatest boasts.

Now, how does this all translate into an SCA household? We clearly aren't Northmen and women living in the wilds of Scandinavia without modern conveniences. We all have lives to go on about, and things that we need to do when not at events and interacting with our households. These traditions would be built into an SCA household in the way events are handled, practices are held, and new members are chosen. Things like hospitality and largess would be integral to the behavior of this kind of household at events. Members would be sworn in at Allthings, and grievances and decisions made clear at the same meetings.

Sjorup Runestone in Scania, Sweden
it is often associated with the Jomsvikings

First, I’ll discuss new member joinings and oaths of fealty. One of the very first pieces of advice that I was given when I first became active in the SCA was “Don't join a house until you have been active at least a year, this way you have the chance to meet several and see which one fits.” It was always followed by “If someone doesn't want to train you or teach you something until you are in their household, it probably isn't a great household.” I personally believe that we are an educational society, and as such we should teach everyone regardless of fealty. That being said, if a person came and wanted to join this household before they had been in a year, they would be given the same advice with the added statement: “You are welcome to train with us and camp with us as you get a feel for the SCA.” Once they’ve passed their year within the SCA, they would be free to petition to join the house proper. The first step would be a probationary period: during this time, they haven’t yet sworn fealty to the house, but they are being taught what it means to be a house member in full, the traditions of the house, and what is expected of its members. In this, I would take a lesson from the Jomsvikings, a group of near legendary mercenaries during the 10th and 11th centuries. They had a clear code of behavior that laid out what was expected of applicants, new recruits, and members. For added flavour, I would wrap the expectations in the Nine Noble Virtues.

Courage- Courage is as much steel in one’s heart during battle as it is speaking out for what is right. We can not allow fear to keep us from doing what is right.

Truth- A person is only as good as his word. When we speak to deceive, we lessen ourselves and make ourselves unreliable to others.

Honour- We fight and live with honour, or not at all. Better to lose a battle or tourney than cheat, better always to be known for being honourable than any other skill.

Fidelity- The household is our chosen family, protect the family and it will protect you. 

Discipline- Only through discipline can we reach our goals. Practice what you wish to master often and the path moves quickly.

Hospitality- Our camp is open to others, welcome them in, offer a drink, make sure that they have what they need.

Self Reliance- A person who can't swim on their own drowns those who try to save them. Carry your own weight so that all can be stronger.

Industriousness- We are a Society that thrives on the service of others. If no one volunteers, then we have no events, no battles, and nowhere to have fun. Service brings us all together.

Perseverance- Regardless of your path, you will fail more times than you succeed. Overcoming failures gives us the strength to succeed and teaches us the path forward.

Now these are nice and poetic, but vague. The concrete requirements would be somewhat more simple. Fighters of the house would be required to be in armour at least once a month (with understanding that life finds a way to mess things up), and fight at any event that they attend where they can. Artisans of the house would be required to actively work on their art; this might be highly subjective depending on the area of study and complexity of projects, but to me two projects a year seems like a reasonable requirement. It would also be beneficial f they entered Art/Sci or sought out input from other Laurels to make sure their growth is well rounded. 

A petitioner to the house would be a probationary member for at least 6 months, more often a year. The period would be shorter for people who camped with the house during their first year. At the end of the probationary period, all full members of the house would be allowed to state their opinions of the candidate and vote. Any vote negative vote means the candidate can not end their probationary period at that time with full membership; depending on the reason for the no, the relationship ends or the probation continues. Once the petitioner has been approved they become either a Drengr or Ambatt, depending on their path. They would then swear their fealty to the house at the Allthing before all other members of the house. 

Once a person becomes a full member, they might want to gain rank within the house. This is not accomplished by a checklist, but rather a matter of the ranking members of the house seeing the growth of the member and deciding they are ready for more responsibility, and testing them as they grow. When it becomes clear they are have shown themselves capable of the new rank, they will be recognized with it at the next Allthing.  This could vary from being given an associate’s belt to being given the freedom to take on subordinates of their own. 

Armrings of this type could be used as more a period
 appropriate substitute for squire or knight chains.
This one is made by Grimfrost.com

All right, let's discuss my opinion of how an SCA Allthing would work. I would honestly split the two most important aspects of the Allthing into: the airing of grievances and handling of house issues, and the swearing of oaths. The reason for the split is that, for me, the oaths should be at an event where everyone is in garb and the mundane world has faded away. In a perfect world, I could see it done at war, followed by feasting and boasting on the first night of war so that everyone knows that the people there have once again reaffirmed the bonds of the household. It would also give the household something to celebrate in the feast, which would allow people to boast about what deeds they would accomplish during the rest of war. Honestly, what could be better than that? The airing of grievances and handling of house business could be conducted at a get-together that is not at an event. This would prevent souring an event with such heaviness, and keep it a private thing for members of the house.

Now obviously, traditions within a household grow organically, and would be added to with time. They would depend on the personalities of the house leaders, the people who join, and what’s best for the house. These are just the ideas I’ve formulated as I read things. Thanks so much for reading, and if you have questions I might return to the topic and do sort of FAQ blog in a month or two when I have gathered enough to make it interesting. As always let me know what you thought of everything, follow, and subscribe so you don't miss out on future posts!