VIKING GAMES

Gotland Island

Ahe Gotland is perhaps the most famous house in Sweden: Villekulla, known in this country as Villa Kunterbunt, the wooden house of Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking. Those who visit the “Kneippbyns” amusement park – a magnet for visitors on the second largest island in the Baltic Sea – can visit the original setting of the “Pippi” films shot on Gotland.

Typical of Gotland: the many pretty fishing villages on the 800 km long coast with wide sandy beaches, ideal for walks. Gotland, island, municipality and historical province at the same time, is one of the sunniest spots in Sweden. Especially the Swedes themselves like to vacation on Gotland and the offshore islets, enjoy the almost Mediterranean climate: in the interior of the island even vines thrive.

Once the Goths gave the island its name, later the Vikings came, and during the Hanseatic League the island’s capital, Visby, became an important trading center. It offers the feeling of the Baltic Middle Ages: its old town is surrounded by a city wall from the 13th century, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.

Our Carruthers ancestors traveled from Gotland to Scotland in approximately 400 AD.  They were known as the Aachenman, or Ashman.   They were ship builders who used the sacred Ash Tree from the Aachen Forest.  They were given this land from the Papal Reign and thus protected by the Papal State. 

VIKING GAMES

Tree trunk throwing is part of pentathlon

Throwing a tree trunk as far as possible in Obelix fashion – sounds strange, but it is a serious discipline of Gotland pentathlon. It is part of the Gotland Olympic Games, which in turn have a long tradition. The competitions have been taking place since 1924, most recently with over 2000 participants, the roots going back to the Viking Age.

STONE THROWING OR WARP THROWING

Stone throwing is also an old discipline of pentathlon Warp throwing, a kind of Scandinavian boules. Sprinting, jumping up and playing the ball are also measured. The winner is whoever wins the final wrestling match. 

VIKING SPEAR THROWING

The spear – Hurstwic –  was the most commonly used weapon in the Viking age. During this time, spear heads took many forms.

The spearheads were made of iron, and, like sword blades, were made using pattern welding techniques  during the early part of the Viking era . They were frequently decorated with inlays of precious metals or with scribed geometric patterns  The Carruthers /Aacheman/Ashman were excellent iron workers.   This trade was handed down to them from other ancestors who lived through the iron age.  Much of their weaponry and even jewelry was magnificent. 

Disclaimer Ancient and Honorable Carruthers Clan International Society