Come for the garb, stay for the spicy tips on avoiding racists.

"sweaty people in plastic clothes" is now my favorite way to refer to non-reenactors at events like this

As an introvert who has been involved off and on in reenactment since 79, one of the best ways to survive an event is the volunteer to help. There is nothing better for a shy person then to have a "script" and a reason to talk to people. I was usually helping in the kitchens, that way I wasn't holding up the tent pretending I wasn't there. And HYDRATE. Drink lots of water. Did you drink water? That is another way to meet everyone, help out as a water carrier. Don't touch people's armour or weapons without asking first.

As a former Irish/Scots Highlander re-enactor I found that clothing maintenance was a fun but occasionally comically "harmful" camp-craft...I owned two shirts so I could change clothes from one day to the next and not smell like ass, also giving me the ability to wear one look one day and the other the next, but also had the benefit of wearing one set while being able to fix up or improve the other (or make a new shirt if I needed one). There I'd be, loafing around while repairing a seam or adding some embroidery, and a couple in garb would approach. Sure enough, the woman would slug the man in the arm and exclaim "SEE? He's doing HIS own sewing!"

"Members of the public have cameras" omg yes. Working in museums I have no idea how many people have random photos of me. Just have to deal with it...

PLEASE don’t stop being a little chaotic that’s one of my favorite things about your videos!

Bringing sunscreen and *applying* sunscreen are different activities :P

On a personal note, to the reenactor that tell me my glasses are not historicaly correct, expect me to ignore you unless you say it in historical correct danish/similar ;)

Q: How many camping re-enactors does it take to change a lampwick? A: LAMPWICKS! I forgot the lampwicks!

For my neurodivergent friends out there: Don't feel pressured to eat foods that you aren't comfortable with, even if the event organisers cooked period food for everyone. The most important thing is that you eat something. Sneak off to the nearest store and get yourself something you actually like.

I joined my local longsword club because I wanted to learn to hit people with a big metal stick. I am now seriously contemplating weaving my own wool fabric to make kit with. The crafting, it gets you.

And Yes: In any situation, don't push someone to drink! Don't do it. Always feel that you can say no to drink. I wish everyone always felt comfortable and safe to say no, but the world can make it hard, so reach out to someone, just tap a metophorical shoulder, and say "can you please help me ask this person to stop pushing this on me" Like, don't let your friends be pushy with drink! (or other activities)

Too much control can be dangerous, so EMBRACE CHAOS!

Importance of the letter 'e' vs 'When she was dying I said "Hmm, that looks like fun'".

Encourage all of the enthusiasts to enthuse! Enthusiasm is beautiful, Everyone should find something they can be enthusiastic about, everyone should take a moment to enjoy seeing someone shine as they talk and the enthusiam just radiates from their face and hands and words.

"Stay Hydrated" YES! I have been the hydration person at a battle event. After every engagement, I was up and out among the fighters, making them drink water. Because they're high on the battles, and need the reminder. Also, my favorite part of eventing is just sitting around talking, and having a hand craft is awesome for that. I also always have a little area behind my tent that is where I can go to be left alone if I need to decompress. Even if I don't use it, it's good to have.

I love tablet weaving and learned how to so I could weave belts and trimmings for my tunic. I also learned blacksmithing with the hope of making my own Long Axe.

(Sitting around “in my linens” did make me giggle). I’ve done some mail making and engraving as a demonstrator, and was terrified when I was first asked what I was doing, but seeing the curious public getting involved was so much fun in the end!

that bit "oh god im falling apart" as you bump a knuckle made me laugh and walk into a table. Body parts are betrayers....loved this video

I was a Renaissance actor for 13 years and you can remember everything if you write down! Make a list and check things off as they go in your bag or whatever you use, Tape or affix the list on your bag or container and keep another copy on your person.

Big big-brother/fun-uncle Jimmy energy ❤😁

My first event I came very close to taking a Dane axe to the face because one of the veterans let a child hold it by himself, and turn shoes plus wooden crutches (I’m disabled) mean I move a little slower than normal 😂😂

I'm just getting started on historical reenactment (having previously done fantasy type reenactment) and as I watched your video it occurred to me why it all appeals so much - the sincerity. It feels like half the world is embarrassed to genuinely like something - everything has to be Ironic Liking in case it's cringy and all that stuff. It's so nice to find people who are genuinely enthusiastic about something and and environment that thrives on the expression of that enthusiasm.

All excellent advice. I'm pretty introverted myself, but meeting other re-enactors, especially at an event is much less stressful than meeting random strangers. Just two things I wanted to add; Please make sure your tetanus jabs are up to date, the woman who taught me to spin was very insistent on this, a tiny scratch from a little bit of vegetable matter might be all it takes. Sure, very unlikely to matter, but a bloody horrible way to die. And, although Jimmy strongly implied it, to be explicit, do what you reasonably can to keep blatantly modern stuff out of sight. Nobody sensible will bat an eye if you're wearing glasses or have to use an inhaler, but put your watch in your belt pouch, don't drink Coke out of a can, and keep your Morrison's bags hidden under a cloak :-). I don't know why, but it's the modern stuff that draws the eye. Help maintain the fantasy.

This was great fun to watch despite not being a re-enactor. In non-covid times I go to SF&F conventions (mainly Discworld, because selfies with the famous are not my thing, but laughing and having fun with like-minded friends is). Much of the advice in this video works for conventions too :-)

"A handful of soup..".this man is important!

Being a member of the sk for 30+ years, this is by far the best introduction video to our hobby i have ever seen, fantastic job will share with fellow members and new members, i think its just as vital that us veterans remember what its like to be new

Going to Finlands only viking museum next week :O

With people crossing safety ropes, i've been doing midieval fairs for 6 years now, and we have a shooting range with sharp arrows. On either side there's a rope with a beautyfull sign saying "Shooting range, do NOT cross this rope" and yet somehow, people still just hop right over the rope and right into line of fire....

I've done SCA on and off for a couple of decades. I mostly avoid doing public events, unless I was being part of a dance group, and I can hide once my bit is done. I don't like the pressure of the public asking me questions, which is why I always appreciate that most SCA events in my kingdom, An Tir, are private.

This video is oddly applicable to multiple hobbies. Antique cars. Small scale steam trains (particularly the children attempting to launch themselves under the rope towards something very hot). I was a child though, so I tended to work as a ticket taker, with an adult bouncer who was staff from the property we were on. Kids would ask questions, in that general way they do, to anyone who’s listening. And I’d start explaining, only to be talked over by their parent who’d start BSing about stuff they know nothing about. It’s really a pity, because having been doing this with my family for YEARS I was a human encyclopedia on the subject, and unlike some of the adults I could explain things at a few different levels of complexity. I was only playing ticket taker because I couldn’t drive a train on the track on public days. Same as I bet there are renenactor families with kids who are quite adept at combat, or blacksmithing but can’t participate at events when there’s private property and insurance involved. Yeah, it’s dangerous. But if kids are taught carefully, they’re often more aware and reliable than some of the adults. And historically, children were shovelling coal into steam engines, and blacksmith forges, operating the bellows, and dying in combat as water carriers and drummers.

Too chaotic? That's part of the reason we watch you! You do weave in and out of the script as you recall something that didn't make it into the original outline, but is still worth mentioning. It shows you're adaptable and on the ball. If people don't want chaotic, they ought to steer clear of a lot of archaeologists and history enthusiasts 😆

Here in Central Florida they hold Highland Games every February, and they have a lot of people doing things like weaving or mail making, and everyone is extremely happy to let anyone who's interested have a go. My firstborn got into making mail one year, and kept it up for over a decade.

I'm a larper rather than a reenacter but most of what you said still applies: someone will take of you if you are new, people love to see your new kit and to know how you made it and we will feed and give you drinks at every chance e have.

Dude seriously?!?! Those “flowy bits” are my favorite part. I might even rediscover my historical reenactment passion if I keep watching you!!

Love this vid! Hubby and I are SCA (USA) for 20+years, and you gave the best advice. I loved the "expect it to be wet/dry, freezing/boiling, noisy/quiet, organized/chaotic" (every SCA event I have ever been to). You hit every point, exactly right. Thank you!

I can confirm that just walking up to people and telling them their craft looks cool is a great way to learn crafts, I was taught wool dyeing and nalbinding just from hanging around people who do it and looking curious about it and on the last outing I taught basic embroidery to four people because they said it looked neat and I happened to have spare hoops. One of them is already better than me at it now, it's awesome! Go and be curious about people's crafts, we will love you for it.

When I used to do Viking "Re-enactment" it was mainly about drinking, singing, hang-overs and bacon sandwiches. 17:29 That photo reminds me of the kit we used to wear back in the 1980s 😂 17:49 A talk on "Articulated Knees" sounds great You are a great advert for the hobby.

My 1st event a new friend basically took his trousers of and put his best on so I could wear his old pair lol.As for a long ship less then a month from joining the group. And as an ex army chef I thought it was easy to cook for an army.😇

😂 I am responsible for two people who would forget their heads if they weren't attached, which makes me then overlook something that I need to take! I've made a packing list for day trips and weekend events now so that we can just work from the list. And now I am the chatelaine for our group so I get to pack gear for newcomers to borrow as well!

Omg! I have been sitting and binge watching your videos all day long once again, while doing embroderie! Im so hyped for this video! Btw your thumbnail work is getting real good!

Most of this video I was sitting firmly in nostalgia, thinking of all the fun I'm going to have once my local SCA group can have events again (beyond the practices on weekends at the local park where I usually sit in my civilian clothes stitching something), and then the existential crisis of "oh god, my ren faire plans just moved up a month from September to August and I haven't even started oh no oh no oh no" set in so, thanks for that! XD

There are also those people interested in the mead. Tasting mead, buying mead, drinking mead...you can't spell mead without me. me.

" they will feed you " Vix + cheese soup + jimmy 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Lovely video on events. The food comments cracked me up. For us at SCA events, the general comment is "if you go hungry, it's your own fault!" when there is a kitchen running. :)

Thank You Jimmy. I am fascinated by history, but due to medical I probably won't go. Thank you for letting me live vicariously through your adventures.

Da fuck was that in the end, Jimmy?! 😂😂 Two things: 1) This video is as usual excellent. Thank you. 2) To all kind of different reenactors that might see this comment, please don't shit-talk other groups for beginners. SCA not your cup of tea? Reenactment in other groups than SCA not your thing? Good that you have figured that out! Excellent. Do what you love. But let's all agree on that different groups does things different and let the beginners find what suits THEM. 😉

I am an historical enthusiast with a deep love of archeology, I am also a Norse pagan in the great plains of Kansas...rural U.S.A. I frankly find your videos to be quite informative and I love your direct honest explanations. You have been an invaluable source of clarity in a small and insular community that, all too often, emulates what they see on television or pick up from poorly researched pop culture. As a man who has studied the cultures of my Germanic and Scandinavian ancestors for 30 years, I am sorry to say the history is poorly represented in America. I am a huge fan. Keep up the good work. And good on you.

Managed to get to the Largs viking festival before the great beer virus asked a ton of questions it was great because nobody made me feel stupid for asking and had a good balance between sharing their enthusiasm (had a great chat about Orcadian Bere flour) and understanding that I stepped into a hut where I could do the exercises to calm my anxiety when I got overloaded with people.

I used to be a member of the SCA.. IT was Like a whole bunch of mini-vacations.. until the year we went to something 48 of 52 weekends.

At one of the first medieval events I went to a pair of saddlers held workshops for learning to work with leather, I still love the belt bag I made back then and try to use it whenever i can (it's 5 years ago now). It was super fun, and most of the participants of the workshop was teens that were just excited to get to make their own bags from scratch. Learning how to safely handle the equipment from people that it's literary the tools of their trade was great, so if the event has workshops as an option I highly suggest checking them out (they usually cost money though, because material and the time of the person holding the workshop).

After 40 years on and off in re-enactment and living history this is one of the best " hints and tips " videos or articles I've seen. Thanks ... from a not at all noob.

As a rugrat wrangler for 5 years, a shepherd crook is handy to have to herd children. It also works on adults if needed.

Jimmy, Abby, and Rachel, these are my chaotic good crew. Please, Jimmy - we love the chaos! ❤️

Catherine, what are you doing there?... um, watching your video, Mr. Jimmy the Viking. Though earlier on I was sewing a gore to a new wool tunic (it's winter in NZ and I have an event coming up in a month, must have warm garb!!!). Two more gores to go, then facings&seams&DONE, oh my!

God I want to be part of a living history society so bad 😩 but trying to find any pre-20th century reenactment here in Greece is impossible, all I get is Ancient Greek events in other countries, and Viking reenactment doesn't seem to exist here 😭

I wish I would have known some of this at my first event. I dove in three years ago at Gulf Wars SCA, only knew like 3 people there, but I left with a whole family! SCA is a good place to start.

"When she was dying I went up and said that looks cool how do you it?" The 10 year old in me was far too amused

“Holding soup in my outstretched hand” sounds exactly like something I would end up doing.

I am here for the chaos. Please never stop the chaos.

My draw to viking age reenactment was to build and use period accurate trekking kits/ survival and camping kits. My group and I often go on viking hiking day trips and overnight trips with foods the Vikings might have eaten. It's really great.

A fabulous introduction to the weird and wonderful world of living history & reenactment, one which I will hartily recommend to any novice interested in getting involved! And for those said novices potentially reading this, always remember, there's a first time for everything and EVERYONE was lacking in knowledge at some point. Please don't be put off or intimidated by those who will reel off fact after fact as if it's nothing, they started in the same place you did once upon a time. Ask questions, read books, take part, or even just simply watch and observe, eventually, you too will become proficient in the relevant information and skills, it really does just take a bit of time and commitment, much like any other hobby, you WILL get there I promise. Also Jimmy quote of 2021 'When she was dying, I said, hhhmmmm that looks like fun, how does it work?'...

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival has a very nice Viking Encampment, complete with demonstrations and games to play, plus occasionally a Raven.

Thank you for your note on being pressured/not pressuring!

1:02 Ahhhh Vic, Australia represent!! 👏👏

One of your best videos yet! Loved it!

Love the flowy bits! And always enjoy your videos!

This was excellent! Thank you so very much for posting this!

Oh my goodness all of that sounds amazing

A good piece of advice is when a person walks over and hands you either a sports drink or water, drink it. You might not realize how dehydrated you are, but they will. Also do not be scandalized if they ask you when you last peed and what it’s color is. They are trying to make sure you are not losing too many electrolytes. If anyone gives you a hard time about your kit, don’t get discouraged. Instead run away, find the person in charge of the event and tell them what happened and point out who did it. That person is a jerk and will be dealt with accordingly. We lose so many potential people because of that nonsense. If you are in the USA and are at event where there is a larger Norse/Tudor era pirate lady dressed in bright pink or purple with hair to match go straight to that person and we will deal with the person. It might not even be violently🤣. Jimmy, if you make it to the states for any of our giant wars, pm me and I will make sure you are sorted with food, sunscreen and feastgear.

This is truly delightful!

I know you don't SCA very much, but these rules and expectations are typically what I tell my noobs! I run a hospitality household and it's true, we will feed and water you. I love love love my SCAdian family, whether we have already met or not ❤️ Thank you so much for your lovely, wholesome self!!

I too have taken my armor for tours of the kingdom.

Visited my first middelage festival at Tønsberg Norway this sommer. Loved it!

Gosh I like your videos so much! Ton of valuable insight and information, interspersed with the right kind of fun and snark and just the kind of humour my bunch of people like so much. Thank you!

I've tangentially been to a few medieval reenactment events, but not to a full weekend event yet. I want to save this video and show newer newbies than me. So many great tips!

Well done! Thank you for making this video!

It sounds both really interesting and really overwhelming. I think I will just stay with larping with my teeny tiny group where a big event is equal to more than 25 people and go to the medieval week in Visby once in a while. But I really want to get into more historical crafts and would like to go to workshops and such. But I rather keep all the reenacting-ish parts I enjoy separate, to keep me un-overwhelmed. Thank you for the video, it gave me good insight into what I personally want and don't want to do. And yes, the sunscreen is very important. I actually managed to get a sunburn on an day long event in the beginning of October up here in the north because I though I wouldn't need sunscreen in october (as I usually don't need it then). But the sun will come and burn you even if you think you can escape it.

I so enjoy hearing how much you love this, both in the words you use and also the tone of voice, pure joy and excitement. You have fast become my new favorite KZfaq channel!

I really appreciate this video for an odd reason - after thinking about it for a long time and going back to this as needed I have actually decided NOT to pursue reenactment until I get back into sheep. I think I needed such a frank look at for me to say "Yeeeeeeeeeeah - looks like fun but not for me".

Those kind of collective tips videos are really helpful. I can't really attend events due to health, though. But I love "reenacting" in small ways, like crafts and cooking authenticly. Maybe you can do a video about the range of possible crafts, like a list from naalbinding to blacksmithing? That would be helpful for some to find their craft or a new craft again, or just for orientation. Also, videos about resources would be great. Something about useful books with pictures of found jewellery or textiles (since most museums are closed or too far away), online collections, whatever there may be.. I have a degree in history but I somehow seem to struggle with finding viking age resources? (Especially searching for northern german stuff. I know it's not core viking land, but heavily influenced and well.. people existed there too, at the same time, with pretty similar culture. I grew up among burial mounds.) Have a nice week!

Thanks for saying that you can relax as reenactor. I know a lot of people who think you HAVE to be like a teacher and have to study and work on crafts all the time. Its a hobby! Everyone should find their own path in that. Only if you get paid by a museum, then its work and you should take it seriously to show public things. Just be a nice human(if the other one is also nice to you :P )

i love the chaos! also, i'm getting my very first set of tablet cards delivered today and will be tablet weaving soon! all i've done so far is basic inkle loom weaving. i'm excited!!!! thanks for this video, very interesting and informative!

This video was what I needed when me an my group (family) should go to our first viking Re-enactment :P cold nigths, and to shy to tell anyone we was so cold that we belived we was in Hels courtyard :P and starving, because we did not have anything to cook in that was from viking age, all because we belived we had to be very correct with everything :P well, we survived and learned from that adventure ;P

That's one seriously metal goat! Thanks for the great tips and tricks to get started. Your videos are not chaotic, they are wonderfully eclectic. Love them!

i just love this channel

@27:12 And why does that guy only have one shoe? "Well, he is a Welshman you see, and they are an odd lot", is what Mike will reply with.

Before the pandemic I had been doing Wars of the Roses (as a Yorkist under Lord Howard iirc) reenactment for a couple years, never went to a battle but I did a fair few events with melees and always with an encampment, but since I'm moving to the University of York (for archaeology, which channels like yours have got me super excited about) in a few months, I'm planning on taking up Viking and/or Anglo-Saxon reenactment, and so this video is a great help!

This is great! It's wonderful to see so many fellow SCAers/Scadians in the comments. Greetings from the Barony of Caerthe in the Kingdom of the Outlands. I just got my first drop spindle and fourteen little bundles/skeins? of wool roving about 4 days ago. Going to learn spinning and then tablet weaving to make my own trims. They just reopened fighter practices last month and everyone is very happy to get back to it. This is my passion! :D Happy time travelling to all. ;)

You did a FANTASTIC job of describing what a reenactment event weekend is like. Our son in law takes part in the Highland Games here in Orlando. (He has his kit which includes a kilt. He enjoys games where the contestants throw telephone poles! Entire trees! My daughters go along in period garb, as well, which makes it truly a joyful experience!

I am now pining for events again.. we're not yet opened up that much, but I have fingers crossed for this autumn! I can't wait to be amongst people to share my geek with again. Tedious textile tasks are so much less so amongst good company.

I've only been reenacting for 2 years now, but it's the best thing I ever did in my life! The people are amazing, the places I've been are incredible. And I hope to visit many more and meet many more, great people in the future.

I'm in Tyne & Wear & to my shame I've not been to Bede's World yet. When my kids were at primary school it was one of the visits that they did. It is on my list but just haven't got around to it.

Thanks a ton for posting this video when you did, I've got my first reenactment event in 2 weeks at Evesham and a little nervous but feeling a little more confident with this video in my head

Nice aerial shot of the siege of Grolle reenactment at 20 minutes in!

Woke up and this video was playing on the computer... as always great advice given in an entertaining way... I have often given the same advice to new participants as the basic advice applies to all time frames... great video...

Perfect timing, got my first multi-group event at the weekend, only hung out with a local group I'm not a member of so far.

This is so helpful!! I’m going to my first medieval reenactment event in…. 6hrs? And this video was exactly what I needed to see at 2:30am so that I could stop being so anxious about it!

Great video! I've been super interested for years but I've finally ordered up some simple fabric and supplies and marked my calendar and I'm gonna try and dive in. Thanks for the great content. It's done a lot to give me the confidence to actually join in and participate.

Many good and important tips, thank you!! I'd like to add that there are always a lot of great, nice, friendly and helpful people but also the bad ones, those that look down on a newbie, comment on your not complete kit or clothes. critique about things like: 'your glasses are not corerrct. This is not a historical necklace!' etc. Don't get bumped out by them. I never understood the gate keeping of some people or their obvious need to tear some one down that they see as weaker. Go to those events with some one you know, or look for a mentor person. Have fun and stay safe!