Chapter 18 | Page 3
SO potentially one of the more inaccurate parts of the comic (lol) is this mending scene, which was coordinated with the help of a friend who has an interest in tall ships. “Tall ships” as we know them certainly postdate the Viking age by a lot, but we can only guess what Viking sails looked like or were made of anyway.
The needle and thread are familiar (though the needle is shaped more like a wedge), but the thing in the third panel is what’s called a “sailor’s palm.” It goes by other names but it’s something you put on your hand to push the needle through the sail fabric. Sails were likely thicker and heavier than clothing fabric, so they needed a bit more power behind them than just your fingers could provide. It’s basically like a thimble, but for your palm instead of your thumb. It does the same job.
Did Vikings have these? No idea! But I wanted something in the ballpark of authenticity.
RE: Viking Sails
actually your depiction is quite accurate. Like several other countries Nordic sails for the longships were made of several long narrow strips sewn together, just as you showed. The long strips were the width of the looms available, then sewn together edgwise. Usually wool or linen. Other similar sails
are known in the Meditaranian and , China and Japan. It is thus very easy to make a striped sail.
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/sails-on-viking-longships.html
snip——–
the Gokstad ship, built in approximately 900 AD, is the best preserved.
…..
This alone provides evidence that Viking longships were likely colorful rather than drab.
A fragment of woolen sailing cloth was discovered on the ship too, although its original
color could not be determined.
endsnip——–
Thanks! I’m glad it feels real.
Honestly even if this was just a made-up fantasy thing I’d have still loved it as an aspect of the setting, so it’s neat that it’s been researched in the first place.
When I was researching I came across a little article that talked about another possible style, the checkerboard pattern, and how each square could have possibly been donated by each household, perhaps with their own design, and the idea of a crazy quilt viking sail just amuses me so much. There’s no concrete evidence, but it’s a really fun idea.
So lovely to see Coal creating, well mending, instead of destroying. One of the few times he looks peaceful.
Yeah! It’s nice to draw him being so chill for once.
Every single time you update I’m always so excited to come see the next chapter. 🙂 I wanna get all this as a physical copy someday.
Are you still reading Vinland Saga? I stopped awhile back and kinda miss it sometimes.
Thank you! And yes I still read Vinland Saga, I think it’s only gotten better as it’s gone along. I only wish the books could come out faster!
Insufferable Pedant Powers activated!
Shunka: spot on about the sails. Artistic renderings often show criss-cross of leather strips but I’m not sure about that being historically accurate. Linen is preferred as it is lighter than wood and is strong while wet, but it’s not readily available in Scandinavia. Ireland and Frisia (modern day Netherlands) had linen and it is so superior to wool for sails that doubtless they would import it.
Sarah: yeah, the artists love the checkerboard style but there little historical evidence while there is plenty of evidence for stripped sails. After all, the looms are only so wide. It makes sense that over time the sail would become a checkerboard as patches and reinforcements accumulate, or possibly sewn in decorations and heraldic symbols. I also love how you have an actual steering board depicted in earlier scenes, not just an oar. Also the sailor’s palm brings back memories of my days in Sea Scouts. Ours were a fingerless leather glove with a small round dimpled brass plate on top of and riveted to the leather. Coal’s is fancier, but the depiction is spot on.