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Jorvik Viking Festival: Bloody battle forms finale
The reconstruction of a bloody battle will form the finale to the 25th Annual Jorvik Viking Festival, taking place in York next week.
The Festival Battle Finale, on February 20 at York Racecourse, will reconstruct the battle for power that followed the brutal deaths of three Viking kings in 910AD.
Some 200 people will re-enact the battle, which will culminate in the burning of the bodies of the three slain kings in a boat burning and fire art display.
Sarah Maltby, director of attractions at York Archaeological Trust, which owns the Jorvik Viking Centre, said: "This will be a spectacular finale to our 25th anniversary event with some magnificent special effects and fantastic fire displays.
"For the first time since 1999 there will be a boat burning of an 80ft Viking ship and there will be close combat demonstrations and one-on-one fighting.
"There is capacity for 2,000 people and we expect tickets to sell quickly for this extravaganza event."
The battle will be a re-enactment of one that took place in the
aftermath of the Battle of Woden's Field (910AD), when three Viking kings left their stronghold in York and raided deep into the Midlands and the South-west.
As they returned from their raid, the King of Wessex, Edward the Elder caught up with the Vikings at Wednesfield, near Wolverhampton, taking them by surprise and slaying them in their thousands. All three kings perished.
The story of the Battle of Woden's Field will be told in a film, which will be shown on a big screen immediately before the festival battle.
The festival battle itself will be fought between the forces of the Anglo-Saxon noble Ealdred, who has risen to power in the north of England and the Norse-Gael leaders Ragnall and Sihtric, Viking warriors from Ireland who have set their sights on the throne of York.
The victorious party will then burn the bodies of the three slain kings in a magnificent boat burning.
Tickets cost 10 for adults and 7.50 for concessions. A ticket for a family of four is 30 and for a family of five 35. Tickets are available online from.jorvikbookings.com or by calling the Jorvik Viking Centre on 01904 615505.
The York Viking Festival, which celebrates the city's Viking heritage, takes place from February 13 to 21.
York Archaeological Trust investigates the past for the benefit of present communities and future generations. For more information, visit www.yorkarchaeology.co.uk.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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