IN 1006, the Vikings swept through Wallingford and burnt the place to the ground.

Now, more than 1,000 years later, the people of the town came together to see their invaders’ culture brought to life. Wallingford Museum was home to all things Viking on Saturday as children and adults turned out to sample Viking life.

Oxford Mail:

  • Four-year-old Toby Taylor tried out the armour

Martin Way, 70, a local history lecturer from Alvescot, said: “We had a tremendous number of children and adults who turned out. We even had a Norwegian man come along, but he didn’t cause any trouble.”

He added: “From a Viking point of view people were really interested in the culture and craftmanship.”

The modern folk of Wallingford tried their hand at Viking pottery and pattern welding, a Viking technique for strengthening swords.

Mr Way made the most of the equipment, including helmets and Viking horns, which was sampled by children on the day.

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