The History
of SVEG
The SVEG association is the museum association, supporting The Museum of Foteviken.
This association was founded in 1987 as a society entirely devoted to maritime
archaeological research concerning The Peninsula of Falsterbo. When the foundation
"The Maritime Centre of Foteviken" was established in 1993, The SVEG
was one of the co-founders. The other founders were The City of Vellinge and
The Museum Association of The Peninsula of Falsterbo.
In the early 1990-ies The SVEG began to work with re-enactment and other subjects as well. The conception of this re-enactment is "A living History". Different groups within The SVEG were started, working with Viking ships and sailing, music, archery, fighting and Viking Age handicraft.
The Maritime Centre of Foteviken founded the Museum of Foteviken in 1995 and The Viking Reserve was also established. The SVEG started to change a little. The activities focused on developing the special interests and talents of the members concerning Viking Age and early medieval handicrafts, occupations, culture and way of life.
Do you
want to become a member?
If you do not have any earlier experience of Viking life and the fascinating
possibilities of re-enactment, you will become a thrall when you are initiated
as a new member of the village community. This might sound a bit boring, however
it will not take to long time before you will be promoted. As a thrall, you
will belong to one of the free men or women in Byalaget. This means in more
modern terms that the person to whom you belong is your personal godfather
or godmother, helping you to become a part of this fine fellowship.
It is your godfather or godmother who suggests at the thing that you should be promoted to become a "bryte". A "bryte" is not a free man or woman, but still this person has reached a certain position in the Viking community. You can for instance begin as a journeyman working with some handicraft and developing your skill and talent.
As a "bryte" you can eventually apply for promotion to become a free man or woman. You will apply at The Village Council of Foteviken, which is led by the Elders of the village. Your general suitability will of course be evaluated, but also your knowledge of the Viking Age. One important factor is of course that you have acquired proper Viking Age clothes and personal equipment. As a free man or free woman you must set a good example for The Kingdom of Foteviken or other similar Viking community.
The Village
community of Foteviken
In 2001 the development of The Viking Reserve had proceeded far enough for
the establishment of a village community. In November 2001 The Village Community
of Foteviken called "Byalaget" was founded. As a member of The SVEG
you have the right to apply for membership in the village community. The village
community congregates every month. At these meetings everybody participating
are dressed in their Viking costumes of course.
As a new member of the village community, you will belong to a Viking Age household and get the possibility to learn and develop your talents and skills concerning different Viking Age techniques and activities, which you find interesting and fascinating. There are many interesting activities to participate in, like fighting, sailing a Viking ship, pottery, coining, smithery, sawing, tanning and building houses.