Blessi The Vikingr

Blessi made a friend.

The modern word Viking is derived from the Norse word Vikingr which means a warrior who sails off looking for trade or plunder.  The phrase fara í víking or "to go a vikinging" is used to describe thos norsemen who go off this type of expedition.

Before grooming Blessi, she had to remove
anything Blessi might see as plunder.

This summer Blessi and I went to a Society for Creative Anachronism event with a Norse and Celtic theme.  Blessi reverted to his Viking roots.  Several times over the weekend, people came up to me and mentioned that Blessi tried to remove bracelets or necklaces or even knives--anything bright and shiny-- that they were wearing.  He has never attempted that before or since the event.

Blessi is eyeing that sword and planning his move.

Lord Ivan rode Blessi in a defensive "sortie" against the Norse "invaders."  After the exercise, when he was addressing the fully armored fighters from horseback, Blessi tried to steal a sword.  

Blessi goes for the sword.  Lord Ivan is trying
to prevent Blessi
from cutting his mouth on the sword as
the fighter is taking back the sword.

If only Blessi had had a little more practice at fara í víking I would have come home with some awesome jewelry and weapons.