The Vikings of Bjornstad

Life in the Age of the Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and Celts

"The Vikings of Bjornstad" is a living history and educational group, concentrating on the Viking era.  We are associated with Regia Anglorum and The Vikings North America, covering the states of California, Arizona and Nevada.

We welcome everyone and ask only that those under 16 be accompanied by a parent or guardian. We strive for authentic Viking Age clothing, crafts and gear, but we know that's a goal to work toward and we all have to start somewhere. We charge about US$30 to $35 annually for membership to the group.

We meet the second Saturday of each month in the extended San Francisco Bay Area or provide a living history display at one of the many events we attend.

In the last few years we've set up our Viking encampment at:

• Tartan Day in Fremont, California
• the Caledonian Highland Games in Pleasanton, California
• the Dunsmuir House Scottish Games in Oakland, California
• the Leif Erikson Viking Fest held by the Freya Lodge of the Sons of Norway, in Santa Rosa
• the Old Fort MacArthur Days Military Reenactment Show in Los Angeles, California
• Norway Day, at Ft. Mason in San Francisco, California
• the Livermore Scottish Games in Livermore, California
• the Calaveras County Celtic Faire in Angels Camp, California
• the Celtic Nations Festival in Vacaville, California

Some of the other events we've been a part of:

• In May, 2009 we were invited to provide models for a photographic shoot at the Castello di Amarosa winery in Calistoga, California
• We've joined with the Highlander Warriors to present "The Wedding of Somerled" at the Pleasanton, California, Highland Games since 2006
• On June 30th, 2006, we attended the San Francisco premier of Beowulf and Grendel - in gear.
• On December 3rd, 2005 we provided a non-historic barbarian horde for an Academy of Art University student film, The Epic of Wayhelm.
• In January 2005 we filmed the host segments for an episode of The Conquerors about William the Conqueror, with actor and military advisor Dale Dye, also for the History Channel
• In July 2004 we provided the actors for the Battle of Hastings (fought in 1066) segment of Command Decisions, for the History Channel
• In 2002 we went as a group to see the "Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga" exhibit at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles.

For information contact Jack Garrett at garrett@pacbell.net