GALL-GHAIDHEIL

THE WESTERN ISLES IN THE VIKING WORLD

TEACHERS' NOTES

SHIP HANGING IN NORSE HOUSE

The image of the ship was taken from Overhogdal Tapestry, Ostersund, Jamtland (Sweden), which was carbon-dated to between C8-10. The original colours were mainly red and dark blue on a natural (biscuit coloured) background. The blue was possibly made from indigo or woad, red could have been obtained from cochineal or a red lichen dye from the genus Umbilicaria which grows on granite rocks.

These hangings must have been costly not only because of the time they took to sew, but also because they used some of the most expensive dyes for the yarn. The original consists of three long panels each about 2m long and 35 cm high,worked mainly in stem stitch with some satin and cross stitch The hanging stitched for the Norse house is worked in stem stitch, laid satin stitch, cross stitch and running stitch, in wool on a linen background. The colours are matched as nearly as possible to the original.

FREYR HANGING IN NORSE HOUSE

Freyr was the Norse god of peace and plenty. he controlled the sun and the rain, and therefore also the harvests. Unlike most of the other Norse gods, Freyr was not a warrior god, it was forbidden to carry arms or shed blood on land dedicated to him; despite this his worshippers prayed for his protection in battle and often wore his symbol, the boar, on their helmets.

The dwarves made magical gifts for the gods, in the hope of gaining their favour, Freyr was given a ship, Skidbladnir, which could be folded up into a pocket, but was big enough to hold all the gods.and always had a favourable wind. He was also given a golden boar called Gullinbursti (meaning golden bristles) who drew Freyr's chariot and could run as fast as any mount.

Freyr was important to the Norse not only because he was the chief fertility god, but also because he was the son of Njord, god of the sea who ruled winds and waves, provided fish for fishermen and favourable winds for traders. Freyr's sister was Freyja, goddess of love and beauty.

Owing more to the Bayeaux Tapestry in style, the hanging is worked in the stitches favoured by the Vikings - stem stitch, laid satin stitch, running stitch,darning and herringbone. The yarn is wool, the background linen and the colours are matched to those produced by vegetable dyes from plants found in the Western Isles.