Dennis Thomsen – Viking Age Shoemaker
Dennis Thomsen is a shoemaker specialising in historically inspired footwear from the Viking Age, traditionally known as turnshoes.
He began making Viking Age shoes in 2021, developing his skills through research, practice and hands-on experience with traditional shoemaking techniques. In April 2024, he began accepting commissions, and since then has produced many hundreds of pairs of shoes for reenactors and living history enthusiasts from around the world.
Among his commissions are 40 pairs of children’s shoes made for the “Ribes Rødder” exhibition at Ribes Vikinger in Denmark, created for children to use as part of the exhibition experience.
Every pair is made by hand using traditional methods, with attention to historical construction, materials and craftsmanship. No two pairs are simply mass-produced – each shoe is individually made with the same basic techniques that were used by shoemakers more than a thousand years ago.
For Dennis, making Viking Age footwear is more than simply producing a pair of shoes. It is about keeping an ancient craft alive and creating footwear that allows modern reenactors to experience history through authentic, handmade craftsmanship.
Alongside his work as a Viking Age shoemaker, Dennis Thomsen also creates historically inspired leather bags, belts and quivers, drawing on archaeological finds and historical sources from the Viking Age and early medieval period.
Each piece is handmade from start to finish, using traditional construction methods and carefully selected materials. The aim is not simply to create something that looks historical, but to produce functional items that feel at home in a living history camp or on the battlefield.His work includes a variety of historical bags and pouches, Viking Age belts and quivers for archery, all made with attention to period-appropriate details, construction and craftsmanship.As with his footwear, Dennis combines historical research with practical experience to create leatherwork that can be used by reenactors and living history enthusiasts around the world.
Dennis Thomsen created a reconstruction of the Fregerslev Quiver, based on the archaeological findings from Fregerslev, Denmark. Only a very limited number of surviving elements, archaeological descriptions and photographs were available as a basis for the reconstruction, making the work a careful combination of research, interpretation and traditional craftsmanship.
The quiver features a hollowed wooden core with a wooden bottom, covered with beaver fur on both the inside and outside, following the materials and construction indicated by the archaeological evidence. These materials and techniques have also been used in Dennis Thomsen’s reconstruction.
Shoes and bags can be ordered by contacting Dennis Thomsen.
Contact info: WhatsApp: 0040746885711 or via email: booking@tabaravikinga.com
Dennis Thomsen accepts commissions for handmade Viking Age turnshoes, with the possibility of making different historical styles and designs according to the customer’s wishes.
His work is based on archaeological footwear finds from several important Viking Age trading and settlement sites, including Hedeby, Ribe, Birka and Novgorod. These finds provide valuable information about the construction, shape and materials used in period footwear.
Each pair is made entirely by hand, using traditional shoemaking techniques. Whether you are looking for a specific archaeological style, a particular construction method, or a pair suited to your reenactment persona, Dennis can create turnshoes tailored to your requirements.
Custom orders are welcome.
