[BrensBenz]

Originally Posted by looksee

I now have the timbers for my viking tent done (though they need oiling) and I have the fabric for the cover cut out and one seam sewn. Yesterday. A 6 meter seam in canvas. Too knackered today, hopefully I will do another seam tomorrow!

Morpheus may have kept me horizontal for a week or so but images of this project were lodged in my head throughout! Six metre seams? It must be bleed'n hewidge! How will you get it into your rucksack?
And as for the tent material, Mr. Wikipedia contends that a roughly woven WOOLEN material called Wadmal was most likely used for the sails of Viking long ships so it would be reasonable to assume that wadmal was used for their tents also.
Well, boats are a particular interest of mine but, while under the influence, I imagined a huge wooley gansie, hanging from a Viking yard-arm, dripping rain onto the horny hats below and a lookout in the breast pocket, with bare legs itching from days of exposure to rough wool. When setting out from Vikland, the sail was perfectly proportioned, oiled, efficient, menacing, but, on arrival at Victimland, the now rain-soaked sail stank and had expanded and enveloped the entire ship, oars protruding like centipedes legs.
If the magnificent lines of a Viking long ship could be reduced to ridicule by a woolen sail, what must it have done to their tents? Wise move choosing canvas. Any chance of photos?

[looksee]

It is, as you say, bleedin' hewidge. And even at that it is nowhere near full size. It stands 8ft high at the peak, but of course since it is a ridge tent there is not the amount of space you might be used to in a modern tent. the base is 9 ft x 12ft. I have had the frame put up (I needed help!) and the main canvas thrown over and its looking good. I have had to wait for some more sewing thread to finish the front and back, then stitch them in place and add ties etc. Its well on the way though. Should have photos soon.

Yes, you are right, the originals were made of wool, but that isn't practical as the frame would have to be even more massive to support the weight of it - apart from the cost of getting suitable wool. In fact the modern versions cheat a bit more too, as presumably the original would have just been a huge square thrown over the A frame, so the front and back would have been draped and folded, whereas now they are made to fit. Sure its all great fun!

Edit to add - the tent was actually the sail of the ship, they carried timbers (on one ship that was found anyway) to turn the sail into a tent and (I think) used the mast into the ridgepole. Its all held together with round tenons with pegs.

[Jellybaby1]

If I'm ever marooned or lost anywhere, I wanna be marooned with Ray Mears.