Reenactorisms: Viking Fashion That Isn't Viking 

Hi guys! So this video kind of blew up in a way I was not expecting, and I got quite a few questions in the comments about some of the hairstyles content in it, especially with regards to what evidence we have for actual Viking Age hair. So I've done a response video which you can find here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CdQx_jI9-T8.html Thank you so much for all the amazing comments, views, support, and excellent questions. I hope the response to this video answers some of them, and clears up a few other things (including whether we call it the Ragnar, the Sokka, or both!). Thanks again so much for all the support and views, it means this channel is now my part time job, and I have the Patreon all set up and running after so many of you suggested it! *cough cough, shameless plug* www.patreon.com/jimmyjohnson

I'm a middle-aged woman and remember back when Vikings were not depicted as having this undercut, top-knot 'do. Then sometime in the 2010s, this way of portraying Vikings became universal. I think it's just filmmakers trying to make them look sexier by giving them a fashion sense that appeals to contemporary audiences... and it's quite silly.

No ones talking about how he said "Excuse me" and slaughtered those kids to continue recording without the nuisance

"That one's Roman" - HA! Nice one.

That haircuts is not the "Ragnar" its the "Sokka."

So you're really saying that Vikings were not hipsters? Bummer, dude. No man-buns, no Uggs. Ugh.

Children screaming in the background: definitely historically accurate.

I think I heard a baby being impaled with a spear in the background. Very authentic.

The "Ragnar" haircut is a historical hairdo that can be followed back to the Water Tribe in the year 99AAG (After Air-nomad Genocide). Fact.

"....kids." Followed by a camera cut and now no sound of children. Had ah....a but of an Anakin moment there did you?

He can draw, he can sing, he can sass, he can sew! Is there anything Jimmy can't do?

As a guy who wore the "Ragnar" for nearly two years, I can honestly say, it might be the most impractical hairstyle for a Culture like the Vikings. You have the worst part of short and long hair combined. You really have to take care of the long hair, keep it clean and comb it but you also have to cut the short hair like every three to four weeks if you want to keep the style. (I'm dark blonde, it might be even faster, if you have strong red or dark hair, like a lot of Vikings also did). Also shaving your Hair isn't that easy with it because you cant just go all over your head. You can certainly not do it allone. For a culture where men spent long timespans on journeys, I can imagine long hair, just worn in a bun or braid or very short hair simply cut alls two or three weeks, but the "Ragnar" ist kinda impractical. Looks cool tho :D

What’s worse than reenactorisms? *GASPS* A Child.

so I remember from school how they taught us that viking men usually spent a fair amount of time braiding their hair. they even braided in branches form trees in bloom making flower crowns! which honestly in my mind makes them more badass, not only are they ruthless raiders, they look fabulous doing so!

As someone who own some bronze beard beads and wears them sometimes to look pretty, I can guarantee you people in the past would not wear such things, especially not as a day to day item. Because even such a small amount of metal hanging from your chin gets quite heavy after a while. And a long, braided beard wrapped in metal is all fun and games until you turn your head quickly and take out your friend's eye.

As much as I mock Viking hair tropes, I also mock the clothing of Vikings on screen. Vikings did not wear biker gear. And let's mention that the most common Viking arms are spears and axes. Swords were expensive.

"That one's Roman" I cackled out loud.

If you visit the museum in Silkeborg in Denmark there is a display of viking hair styles and iron age ones

from one of my favorite channels on youtube.. History buffs... referring to the show vikings. "Do they act like vikings.. most likely.. Did they look like vikings.. No.. they look like Black leather bikers"

That "Ragnar" hair style is actually from the Asian step and as far as I know was from the Scythians. I know it is common among Cossacks as it was the traditional hair style for their warriors. Most famous example being Sviatoslav I he was the hand prince of Kiev who destroyed the Khazarian Khaganate.

As I'm watching the last Kingdom I've noticed that the Danes have been getting dirtier and dirtier every season until here in season 4 we have full on frizzy un-brushed manes and its driving me CRAZY

"Kids... Excuse me!" turns off camera. Pulls out Smith and Wesson viking gun.......... "Aaaand we're back!"

Buncha boomers in the comments. He never says he hates "hipster hair" (which btw makes no sense) he just says there's no proof for that being used by vikings.

"That one's Roman.". That was the moment when I decided to subscribe.

Reminds me of the fact that the most popular Roman Legion among reenactors is Legio Rapax because the name is often translated to 'Predators'... The beard rings come from the dwarves in LOTR... That hairstyle is probably based on a Suebian knot.

I'm a knitter and a hooker (someone that does crochet) Nålebinding is its own beast, it's more elastic and less estructured than crochet, also only could be made with animal fibers because they have to join a new piece of yarn every few inches.

I laughed as ' they found me' more than it deserved. Well done as always!

“That one’s Roman.” Well it’s time to sub

A Welsh Viking saying “Welcome to Edinburgh” with an English accent. Possibly one of the most accurate representations of a Viking on the whole internet 😃. This is not a snark.

Grow out that haircut at your own risk. My fiancé (who does viking-age reenactment) has had it since he was in middle school (way before Vikings was out) and he finds himself having to explain it constantly because people just assume he thinks it's an authentic viking style 😅

Hey some of us are just bald 🤣

We do wear heavy protective gloves, but only on the battlefield, and we announce at our events that the protection is not historic, but to prevent accidents from causing injuries. In 6 years our group has been operating, we have had two severe hand injuries from insufficient hand protection. I think that these gloves are OK, in the proper context.

I always smile on Viking shows/films at the abundant use of swords, these would be used by nobility primarily.

The Bayeux embroidery depicting the events of AD 1064-1066, which led to the Norman conquest of England, yields an interesting witness as for the bare necks. Norman warriors look like the backs of their heads are indeed shaven, which may endorse the interpretation of the word ablered in Ælfric. However, one should keep in mind that what later became Normandy was founded by Rollo in AD 911, a century and a half before the Battle of Hastings. The same question as the one regarding Sviatoslav arouses: how much of the original Norse tradition could these people keep by 1066? At the same time, Ælfric’s testimony, if correctly interpreted, is the most valuable: he expressly points to the fact that the customs he describes are Denisc. People who were the source and the model for such practices believed they were Danes and were described as such by the Anglo-Saxons. But what exactly is Ælfric talking about? He mentions dressing, not hair (tyslian is a rare verb meaning ‘to dress’) and then points to the necks that are “bare of hair” (ablered). What is the logical connection between dressing and hair? It is to note as well that a bare neck is not the same as a bare back of the head. Any short haircut leaves the neck bare, one does not need to shave the back of the head for that.

I’m currently growing my hair out to try the Ragnar hair lol I’ll definitely admit I got it from the show Vikings. Later learned that probably wasn’t a thing. Oh well lol

The early Irish wore a similar hairstyle. It was called a Glib, and it was described in detail: "For these men were shorn and shaved one palm above the ears, so that only the tops of their heads were covered with hair." Laurent Vital 1517. The English government tried to ban this hair style in the 1530's and again in the 1570's, with little effect.

I’m so gratified that I rewound the “that one’s Roman” part I had been looking down but wanted to see what he was referring to.

Look up the Suebenknoten (knot of the Suebi). Its sort of like a sideway bun worn by many germanic tribes (not just the Suebi its named after) in central europe and possible some skandinavian germanic tribes too. It looks pretty metal too.

This is why I sometimes like to do historically-adequate costuming and sometimes I like to do fantasy costuming. I'm working on a Robin Hood costume right now and it's fun to just indulge in "I'm doing this because I think it looks cool, that's why." 😄

As a mom I can relate to whoever made the boot with extra clasps. Had we lived a millennia ago I would have been the mom going " Ragnar! Put that boot back on! You cant go barefoot in the snow!"

Well this was refreshing! I'm a historian and I also make simple chainmail. Some of the "historically accurate" things people ask for never existed. And when you tell them that 😬

"... Found me!" Jimmy, what have we told you about grave robbing I don't care if it's for archeology PUT THAT THING BACK WHERE IT CAME FROM OR SO HELP ME

Finally someone said it about the haircut. Just normal long hair, not cut sides.

I’m so glad you’ll be a part of Co Co-Vid! I’m looking forward to it. Thank you for clearing up the hairstyles, especially. The movie star ideal is not authentic, but you’re right, it’s a great look. Maybe someone could do a version of the hairstyle you showed in an ancient drawing. They were in a line with what looked like some sort of pony tail.

"I'm just shy of 700 subscribers" Looks at sub count, then at the date. Damn, he's grown fast 10k in less than a year. Congratz!

I absolutely ADORE your critique of reenactorisms!!! You are hilariously entertaining and yet educational! Thank you!

I finally came over and subscribed. I am looking forward to watching more of your videos. I reenact a much later period, but enjoy learning reenactorisms from across the ages.

I found your channel through cocovid (the gentleman panel was hilarious!) And man.... I love your work now. You're very funny and interesting. I'm happy to be here and excited to see more videos. Keep up the good work!

Great video! Thanks for sharing all the insight! I love this kind of myth-busting 🌟 Funnily enough (at least to me 😅) a teeny-tiny bit different version of the "ragnar hair" was worn by Hungarian men since the conquest (9th century) up to the baroque age! Back when french men wore powdered wigs, Hungarians looked like wild and shaggy manly brutes 😁

Yes, yes, and YES! Thank you for covering these ones, I'm glad to see you address them!

I enjoyed this so much. Thank you. One day when you’re musing about the format, I’d love you to consider leaving the historical images on the screen much longer while you speak.

You have a great sense of humor, thank you for sharing

According to the danish natural museum there were in fact a similar haircut according to a letter in old english. Called the "danish-fashion" instead of anglo-saxon manner. No picture on the site. "with bared necks and blinded eyes"

This is a great video! Glad you got some fresh air! PS- almost 900!

Lovely and informing video! I’m still planning to make (more or less) historically accurate Viking women’s clothing and I have come to like your channel a lot to learn more about their era :)

When the Vikings became Normans, they wore their hair like that. Kind of. It was actually a lot less cool looking. A mullet-bowl cut combo thing. Very silly.

Such a good video! Yes to long hair!! But keep all of it 😉 I think there are some discussions around the Sholdenhamn hood as to if it is viking or sami? I haven't looked too far into it yet but it is lovely to use ^^

I was so shocked to hear my voice come from a fellow Viking reeanctor! Just fallen in love with your channel bud, Im based in Chester, born Llanidloes, keep up the good work

As a kid I got so frustrated that I kept hurting my arm during summer camp archery that I wove an arm guard thing and I think that says a lot about my apptitude for combat vs diy haha

This is a fun video! As an owner of that hair cut, I love it. My top hair is now down to the small of my back and when I wear my hair down I look like I have a normal, long, "woman's" hair cut. (I have A LOT of fun messing with people's impression of me.) I will say, that you need to have a full head of thick hair to do this look (I'm mostly Dutch/Irish American).

The drawing of the combat gloves looks like something Lindybeige showed from the museum of excavations from 1361, iirc, battle of Visby.

Absolutely appreciate your historical accuracy!! You validated my own opinion, and I learned new things. I can't believe it never occurred to me to whip stitch around grommets.

Great video man, definitely my new favourite channel, combination of my two favourite things, Welsh and vikings 😂

Yes on your future hairstyle... My hair was about your length when I clipped my sides. Also very good video... Staying away from the sheepskin shrugs? Haha. Most reeanctors already know not to wear those I guess.

Loved this video, for anyone into re-enactment who wears the Ragnar hairstyle (myself included) take a look at the Oseberg wagon, there’s at least one male figure with what appears to be the sides of his head shaved with the entire top (not the semi-mohawk) left long enough to almost touch the eyebrows.

Love the channel. Makes sense it's booming :-)

how have i never found this channel before! I love it

I ended up with the "Ragnar hair" because I got pine sap in my hair and the comb got stuck in it as well when I tried to comb it out. I had to cut them out, so I shaved the other side of my head as well to make it more symmetrical.

As some one who likes to do sword fighting I wear it in a pony tail as I have quite long hair and wish to not have it in my face I also have many Viking and just Norse stuff on my person people like to connect the two of them and I have to explain to them no I don’t use it so I look Viking and yes I know that they possibly never wore it like that it gets quite annoying

I like you! You're good people! I'm looking at adding "viking" wear into my daily life, with more of a "Historybounding" approach than "historical accuracy". But all of your information is so helpful to me! Thank you!

Exactly five months since vids posted: 5.19k subs 🥳 Cool vid

I am so glad you did not start with the horned helmet staff, that gets brought up by everyone as most common misbelief about vikings .

I never understood why people think that a "reverse mullet" (long in the front and short in the back) is at all the same as the shaved side, long top hair style.

just shy of 700 subscribers at the end of july, over 10K now, congrats man, quarantine has done well for u

2 years later and there are now over 68 thousand subscribers and over 200 thousand view!!! Great news.

him: So moving down from head hair, we`'re gonna look at..."pauses, raises eyebrows me: what kind of video is this going to be O.O him facial hair. me: oh, yeah, sure.

I'm so sick of that "Viking haircut". To me it's as silly as the horn helmets

Jimmy Roasting the shit out of a kid at the end is way funnier than it should be

This is spot on and I've been making fun of Viking-isms for a while. All of your points were well made. I have long hair but I still mock "re-enactors" who try to sell me that Ragnar hair is Viking. It's funny that Vikings are such tropes now that even the utterly fake is accepted.

Other things that need to be addressed. 1. The Santa hat with the fancy metal tip. While one Rus grave was found with something that resembled the metal tip, there was no context to associate it with the end of the Santa hat. There was no hat in the grave. 2. Poofy knee length pants. Yeah, these are a myth. 3. The leg wrappings from ankle to knee. There is an epic where these are mentioned. It says that one dude wore these and everyone else made fun of him for it.

I love the talk about the hair. I actually have my sides ( woman) shaved and my top is all dreads I keep braided ... not a "Viking" thing . However, our personal style hair and clothing help us to present ourselves and i enjoy wearing my hair like this because people do get that warrior feeling when they see me and i like giving that off. Love the content btw!

When you said ”gloves” I heard ”clubs” and I got so excited at the thought of there being night clubs with viking theme

8k subscribers in 6 months! Good job dude! Subbed

July 2020: just shy of 700 subscribers is insane. January 2023: current subscriber count over 60k. Congratulations @TheWelshViking on your hugely increased following, which includes me!

"Why is your accent a mix of a Scottish, English, and an Irish one" "I 'shag sheep' the legends say"

I really like this style of video, with sitting in nature and talking

Nålbinding is something I just Googled thanks to your video So glad I did! I think I could be good at it

G’day Jimmy. Excellent video. How about a video of the best Viking museums and archeological sites in Europe? Or ones you’ve visited if that’s too ambitious.

Wasn't there some text about a meeting with a Varangian that claims the haircut was "of the Danes", basically a reverse mullet with bald sides?

In Sweden there is a small subgenre of music called Vikingarock...

Thanks for the tent eyelet tip. They're expensive and I really want them to last a while.

Man I love his personality. This is the first video I have seen of him and he is funnn

Was “Daddies” Panama authentic? Is sucking rum from a coconut authentic? Great video again 👍

There is an account of some Vikings having *almost* Ragnar hair: but spun 90 degrees. Longer at the front and shaved at the back (I think account says 'blind eyes and cold necks'). Some of the characters in the show Norsemen have it and it looks...so silly and not at all the hipster Viking look that's popular today.

It's always fun to see how things probably were, based on actual fact. Admittedly, I only made it through one and a half episodes of Vikings because of the inaccuracies, that even I could pick out. But my favorite of all time has to be Braveheart; maybe it's just me but I doubt very seriously that William Wallace and Company had mullet hair cuts in 13th century Scotland. Cool video.

not to be weird but your eye structure is so pretty and would work really well with nice eye makeup. great video! very informative and well put together! 10/10

"i can draw too" they suffice well enough! I can tell what kind of haircuts you're talking about

The hair is the one that I find most annoying. Hipster hair on vikings makes me sad.

I have that hairstyle usually but my hair is curly so I am tempted to get it cut again soon.

Jimmy! Nige says "hi!". I think you showed admirable restraint, I'd have gone to town on the over representation of swords, maille, black leather, coloured cloth etc. Short and sweet 😃 Really hoping to see you at a show soon, I feel like we've forgotten what reenactment friends look like! (Except you, obvs, cos, video...)