Pentathlon Project 2017Viking Warp Weighted Loom
This project was not as easy as one would think. The idea of creating a warp weighted loom and then weaving on it was a huge departure from what I normally focus on. I am an embroiderer and taking on the challange of weaving and tool making was daunting. Before I could even think about weaving on the loom I had to build it. I looked at various images regarding the style of loom that was used during the Viking era. The warp weighted loom was the prefered method at the time because of its relativly simple design and its ability to be moved without to much of a hassle. I have to admit that at times I wanted to just give up but ultimately I was determined to see my vision through. I wanted to push myself in an area that I was not comfortable in and I am very proud of what I accomplished. Almost every part of my Pentathlon entry revolved around the Warp weighted loom. I built the loom, all the tools, the weights, and then created a decorative Viking apron piece. I also recited a portion of the Najls Saga that discusses the weaving of the outcome of Brian's Battle that happens in Caithness. If you are wondering why 2 of my wieghts are skulls...it has to do with the story. My final art entry was an embroidered table covering. Below you will find all of my documentations as well as a copy of Najl's Saga. |
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Najl's Saga - Performed during Pentathlon. (I am working on getting a copy of the recording).
On Good Friday that event happened in Caithness that a man whose name was Daurrud went out. He saw folk riding twelve together to a bower, and there they were all lost to his sight. He went to that bower and looked in through a window slit that was in it, and saw that there were women inside, and they had set up a loom. Men’s heads were the weights, but men’s entrails were the warp and wed, a sword was the shuttle, and the reels were arrows.
They sang these songs, and he learnt them by heart
The Woof of War
See!
Warp is stretched for warriors’ fall,
Lo!
Weft in loom ‘tis wet with blood;
Now fight foreboding, ‘Neath friends’ swift fingers, our gray wolf waxeth
With wars’ alarms, our warp bloodred, our weft corseblue.
This woof is y-woven with entrails of men,
This warp is hard weighted with heads of the slain,
Spears blood-besprinkled for spindles we use,
Our loom ironbound, and arrows our reels;
With swords for our shuttles, this war-woof we work;
So weave we, weird sisters, our war winning woof.
Now war-winner walketh to weave in her turn.
Now sword swinger steppeth, now swift stroke, now storm;
When they speed the shuttle how spear-heads shall flash!
Shields crash, and helm gnawer on harness bite hard!
Wind we, wind swiftly our war winning woof.
Woof erst for king youthful foredoomed as his own,
Forth now we will ride, through the ranks rushing
Be busy where friends blows blithe give and take.
Wind we, wind swiftly our war winning woof
Let us steadfastly stand by the brave king;
Men shall mark mournful, their shields red with gorem
How sword stroke and spear thrust stood stout by the prince.
Wind we, wind swiftly our war winning woof;
When sword-bearing rovers to banners rush on,
Mind, maidens, we spare not one life in the fray!
We course-choosing sisters have charge of the slain.
Now new-coming nations that island shall rule.
Who on outlying headlands abode ere the fight;
I say that King Mighty to death now is done,
Now low before spear point that Earl bows his head.
Soon over all ersemen sharp sorrow shall fall,
woe to those warriors shall wane nevermore;
Our woof now is woven. Now battle-field waste,
O’er land and o’er water war tidings shall leap.
Now surely ‘tis gruesome to gaze all around
When blood red through heaven drives cloud rack o’er head;
Air soon shall be deep hued with dying men’s blood
When this our spaedom comes speedy to pass.
Cheerily chant we charms for the young king,
Come maidens lift loudly his war winning lay;
Let he who now listens learn well with his ears,
And gladden brave swordsmen with bursts of war’s song.
Now mount we our horses, now bare we our brands,
Now haste we hard, maidens, hence far, far away.
Bibliography
“Chapter CLVI – Brian’s Battle.” The Story of Burnt Njal. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Project Gutenberg. Web. 19 Oct. 2015. http://www.gutneberg.org/files.17919/17919-h/17919-h.htm
Ostergard, Else. Woven into the Earth: Textiles from Norse Greenland. Aarhus: Aarhus UP; 2004
On Good Friday that event happened in Caithness that a man whose name was Daurrud went out. He saw folk riding twelve together to a bower, and there they were all lost to his sight. He went to that bower and looked in through a window slit that was in it, and saw that there were women inside, and they had set up a loom. Men’s heads were the weights, but men’s entrails were the warp and wed, a sword was the shuttle, and the reels were arrows.
They sang these songs, and he learnt them by heart
The Woof of War
See!
Warp is stretched for warriors’ fall,
Lo!
Weft in loom ‘tis wet with blood;
Now fight foreboding, ‘Neath friends’ swift fingers, our gray wolf waxeth
With wars’ alarms, our warp bloodred, our weft corseblue.
This woof is y-woven with entrails of men,
This warp is hard weighted with heads of the slain,
Spears blood-besprinkled for spindles we use,
Our loom ironbound, and arrows our reels;
With swords for our shuttles, this war-woof we work;
So weave we, weird sisters, our war winning woof.
Now war-winner walketh to weave in her turn.
Now sword swinger steppeth, now swift stroke, now storm;
When they speed the shuttle how spear-heads shall flash!
Shields crash, and helm gnawer on harness bite hard!
Wind we, wind swiftly our war winning woof.
Woof erst for king youthful foredoomed as his own,
Forth now we will ride, through the ranks rushing
Be busy where friends blows blithe give and take.
Wind we, wind swiftly our war winning woof
Let us steadfastly stand by the brave king;
Men shall mark mournful, their shields red with gorem
How sword stroke and spear thrust stood stout by the prince.
Wind we, wind swiftly our war winning woof;
When sword-bearing rovers to banners rush on,
Mind, maidens, we spare not one life in the fray!
We course-choosing sisters have charge of the slain.
Now new-coming nations that island shall rule.
Who on outlying headlands abode ere the fight;
I say that King Mighty to death now is done,
Now low before spear point that Earl bows his head.
Soon over all ersemen sharp sorrow shall fall,
woe to those warriors shall wane nevermore;
Our woof now is woven. Now battle-field waste,
O’er land and o’er water war tidings shall leap.
Now surely ‘tis gruesome to gaze all around
When blood red through heaven drives cloud rack o’er head;
Air soon shall be deep hued with dying men’s blood
When this our spaedom comes speedy to pass.
Cheerily chant we charms for the young king,
Come maidens lift loudly his war winning lay;
Let he who now listens learn well with his ears,
And gladden brave swordsmen with bursts of war’s song.
Now mount we our horses, now bare we our brands,
Now haste we hard, maidens, hence far, far away.
Bibliography
“Chapter CLVI – Brian’s Battle.” The Story of Burnt Njal. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Project Gutenberg. Web. 19 Oct. 2015. http://www.gutneberg.org/files.17919/17919-h/17919-h.htm
Ostergard, Else. Woven into the Earth: Textiles from Norse Greenland. Aarhus: Aarhus UP; 2004