"Dark Age Norse Buildings... Turf Or Thatch Roofs?" Topic

Just wanted to ask folks' opinions on modelling the roofs on Norse buildings. What have you done with your buildings? Either, or? Both?

As I understand it, the practice of sod roofs was far more common in Iceland, but not unknown in Norway. I suppose it would be fair to assume it would have been done in Britain. The Picts likely used sod roofs, as far as I'm aware.

As an aside, can anybody recommend any companies that produce Dark Age "street furniture"? The typical odds n sods like longhouse hearths, campfires, Dutch oven- style cauldrons, smithy items (anvils, forges) etc?

I went with thatch

I think 4ground do some benches and tables that may look right, Colonel bills has some packs of crates, barrels, jugs etc.

I have been doing the same thing for almost a year now. I have bookmarked on my computer every manufacturer and some photos of certain related items. I hav buildings, miniatures, furniture, animals, cooking, food, etc. all related to 28mm Viking era. Just say if you are interested in me sending you some or all and how we can do it. So far I have made 2 thatched and 3 turf type buildings.
I like them both and I am going to use both. Herkeybird is correct. 4 Ground has lots of stuff. But there several other manufacturers who have nice stuff also.

Harv

Cool! Cheers for the quick responses, chaps :)

Hleven, thanks I appreciate that! I'd be happy enough if you were just cool with suggesting a few manufacturers and web-shops (UK preferrably- if it's okay to do that). I've got a few Warbases livestock etc as well as (I think) Pulp Figures' (or similar… perhaps tbe chap that sculpted a lot of the old Foundry line?) Malamutes/huskies that do a good enough job of looking like elkhounds (which I understand the Norse did have).

Might do a bit of mixing up with the turf and thatch then. Presumably turf would be more prevalent in mountain villages, above the treeline?

The turf/thatch thing would probably depend on available winter fodder for livestock, thatch was usually made from some sort of reed not straw so you would need areas of swampy ground that could not be turned into pasture – fjords tend to be well drained with very little swampy and every inch was needed to provide winter feed for the animals – hence the extensive use of turf in Iceland and Norway. Ditto other parts of the Baltic. The Norse were much more dependent on their animals than we see today.

In England there was more useful area for pasture & fodder and a more benign climate, so thatch was used more. Another possibility is the use of shingles, which would leave little archeological evidence because decayed shingles = easy firewood.

If the sagas are to be believed there would have been very little or no 'street clutter', everything would have been kept in buildings – there were extensive laws and customs about keeping your goods secure and acquiring 'abandoned' goods. So lots of out buildings (A framed 'grubenhaus') and fenced enclosures at the back of main buildings but little or nothing left around where it might 'walk'.

Here you go my friend:
UK list.
1st Corps, Bad Squiddo Games, Gripping Beast, Saxon Miniatures, Steve Barber Models, Warlord Games, 4Ground. Adrian's Walls, Sarissa Precision Ltd. ,

Other countries list.
Zen Terrain(really like these), Table Top World, Bandua Wargames, Hexy Miniatures, Mirliton Miniatures( Big website. I suggest Medieval Accessories. Pretty cool food items and cooking stuff).
I know there are lots more out there. I sometimes google search specific stuff like Viking turf roofs and hit show images. You will see artist renderings, reenactors, models etc. of whatever. Good way for ideas and links.

I'm guessing here, but would thatch have been lighter, so used on larger buildings, e halls?

Many of the reconstructions I have seen of Norse buildings in Norwegian or Swedish museums appear to have have wooden roofs.

Superb amount of info rolling out here, cheers everyone! It's certainly giving me lots of inspiration. Was considering putting buildings on larger bases, so the idea of fenced yards is ideal. I'll just need to buy up a decent amount of renedra wattle fencing then (or make my own…).

This is great!! Thank again folks.

I seem to remember reading that they utilised whatever was available locally. So turf/sod, thatch or wood were all used. Walls were the same but with the addition of stone to the list.