The Armour Archive

My friend Tony (aka Red Dwarf) and I are going to try to build a viking longhouse on his property in Michigan for our group.We have decided on the wood style as opposed to the sod style and have been kicking around the central fire pit idea.this is the problem-I cannot find a set of floorplans.I have found descriptions,most not very helpful.It is my understanding that there were several styles (mostly slight variations,but variations none the less) that I could choose from but again,nothing more useful than maddeningly vague or hugely over-technical descriptions.
What I am looking for is a set of plans-even rough ones.I would also like to know what the inside should look like.There are vague descriptions of a "high chair" for the headman and benches.
Anyone have a link or two to throw me as a bone?I would like to have a few options for my Headman to choose from in fairly short order and I would like them to be as historically accurate as possible as opposed to my guesses.
Thanks-
James

Where at in MI?

hey! tell red dwarf hi for me.

there are several books out there with longhouse plans and how they were set up. i think even the regia website ahs a few good pics of some. i'll look for some for ya this evening

Hrolfr-Remus,MI
Wolf-Absolutely will do my man,as soon as he is online again I'll shoot you his contact info again.That man leads an,ahem,interesting life and can be difficult to keep up with .Thanks for the looking,I'll hit the bookstore as soon as I am able.I just wasn't able to find much online which really surprised me.
Thanks again.
James

Just some more or less arbitrary but relevant links, of Swedish viking villages, for inspiration:
http://www.overforsgard.nu/vikingagarde ... rejsta.htm
http://www.deepwood.net/~brockman/foto/ ... ublic.html
http://www.foteviken.se/viking_art7.htm (klick on "nästa" to see more pages)

Try rummaging around this site:

http://www.english.lejrecenter.dk/

In fact, go to Denmark and LOOK at that site. Even though it's pre-viking, the houses are very similar.

And while you're there, look at some of the other Viking reproduction sites like Trelleborg and I'm serious. If you're going to build something that large, it will pay to actually SEE how it's built. Otherwise, it might not stand up!

Fyrkat:
http://www.cofman.co.uk/attractions/fyr ... centre.htm

Also look at the reproduction buildings at Trelleborg and Ribe in Denmark.

Here's L'Anse aux Meadows in Canada, which is closer than Denmark, but probably more expensive to get to:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/nl/meadows/index_e.asp

Good luck.

Next to L'anse aux meadows is the re-created villiage of Norstead.

It was built in 2000 so there should be some pics and plans floating around. The construction there is mostly wood frame, as opposed to the L'anse aux meadows sod construction.

here are a few pics
http://www.vikingtrail.org/norsteaddiscovery.htm

Good Luck.

Questions,

What resources do you Have?
labour,
Skills,
Money,
Timber,
Stone,
Thatch,
other.

If yopu have forestry resources the this might be a good source of inspiration.

http://www.channel4.com/4homes/ontv/gra ... odman.html
A chap built an astonishing Modern, low impact house based around non industrial techniques. The cruck frame idea might be a way to go..

More, www.newbuilder.co.uk/bffmag/spring04/24-40.pdf

Sounds like a splendid project,

All the best.

Wow-Thanks all.We'll see how it works out.Apparently I have to pester my mother so I can re-learn Danish for the best resources .
Thanks Again-
James