From the Fury of the Northmen, oh Lord, deliver us... So wrote an English churchman in the early 800s. The 200 years just before the turn of the first millennium is known as the Viking Age, when sea born raiders from Scandinavia were the terror of Europe. These Vikings were just the most visible element of a dynamic people, known as the Norse, who shared a common language, religion, world view and material culture. Not all the people of Scandinavia were raiders, however. In most part they lived in independent farm households. They were skilled craftsmen, especially in ship building, metalwork and carving. Long winter nights were spent in story telling - and with games. The most popular game of the Viking Age was hnefatafl (nev - a - tah - full) which means kings table. It is a game with simple rules, but when it is combined with cunning minds, can become a battle of strategy!
Viking Game is suitable for ages 10 to adult. The basic rules are simple: all pieces use the same movement, and capture by surrounding an opponent on two sides. The object of the game is for the defenders to get the king to one of the corner squares; for the attacker to stop him. A simple as this sounds, the strategy can be complex, and for two experienced players can become a contest of wits!
For more information on how the graphic elements for Viking game were derived from historic artifacts, go to Designing Viking Game.
Viking Game has been specifically designed to be affordable. (Other versions of Kings Table now available in Canada are mostly imported, and typically sell for about $50.)
At a time when so many small gift items are made off shore, Viking Game was designed and produced by Canadians, ensuring high quality craftsmanship.
Darrell Markewitz of the the Wareham Forge was the production designer for the new living history program at L' Anse aux Meadows NHS, Newfoundland. This Parks Canada museum is the only documented Norse site in North America, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Viking Encampment utilizes over 175 detailed reproduction artifacts to re-create daily life in the Viking Age circa 1000 AD. Darrell designed the graphics used for Viking Game, cut the mould and hand casts the pewter king pieces.
Neil Peterson is a long time student of the Norse, with a special interest in gaming and mead making. He has been involved in amateur re-enactment of the Viking Age for over 10 years. In 1996, he was part of the team who demonstrated living history at L' Anse aux Meadows, as captain Ragnar Ragnarsson. Neil researched the history of hnefatafl, wrote the rules and historic information for Viking Game, and is designing the educational web site.
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Shipping via Canada Post - Rates revised February 2017
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These prices include 'surface' shipping via Canada Post to your address. Taxes are 13% HST for all Canadian addresses. For American customers - there should be no duty on this 100% Canadian made product under NAFTA.