Anyone who meets Marinus Jennerwein can also address him as Halfdan Gunnarson.
The 31-year-old from Tölz tries to lead an authentic life like the Vikings once did.
Bad Tölz
- If you go shopping at Edeka on Tölzer Marktstrasse, you shouldn't be surprised to see a man dressed in medieval clothing there from time to time: Marinus Jennerwein sometimes walks out of the house in his flowing robes, "just like that" .
"Most people then ask me if there is an event nearby," he says with a smile.
Sometimes he also notices that he is being secretly photographed.
For Jennerwein himself, tunics, rus pants and belt bags are "something completely normal: I feel very comfortable in these clothes."
The television series "Vikings" gave Markus Jennerwein a taste for it
The 31-year-old maintains "reenactment", ie the reenactment of historical ways of life in the most authentic way possible. Even as a boy he felt a fascination for the Middle Ages, says the Tölzer, who works as a cook in the Jaegers restaurant in Lenggries. His preference for the Vikings arose around six years ago through the television series "Vikings". With the help of books, television documentaries, the Internet and by exchanging ideas with others, he familiarized himself with the way of life and worldview of the Northmen and became a member of the “Cullach Cuthach” group, which appears at the Kaltenberg knight tournament, for example.
The Vikings were "innovative and active", explains the Tölzer his fascination.
In its epoch, the form of its society was unique.
“For example the strong position of women.
They had a high position in the family and were even able to get a divorce at that time. "In addition, there are still linguistic references in everyday life today:" The word Friday goes back to the Nordic goddess Freyja. "
Markus Jennerwein represents a slave trader from Haithabu
The Tölzer is now well anchored in the Viking community.
He named himself Halfdan Gunnarson.
"You can do something like that, but you don't have to," says Jennerwein.
“For me it's somehow part of it.” The name was invented, there are no historical references.
The 31-year-old slips into his medieval robes “as often as possible”.
Archaeologists' excavation reports provide orientation for the style.
"The textile finds differ from region to region," emphasizes the Tölzer.
He himself tries to portray a slave trader from Haithabu.
This settlement in Schleswig-Holstein was at that time one of the most important trading centers between Northern Germany, Scandinavia and the Baltic States.
The archaeological investigations are numerous.
He deliberately chose the portrayal of a slave trader because it is a "sensitive subject," says Jennerwein.
With this role he would like to draw attention to the fact that there is still trafficking in human beings, for example with women from Eastern Europe.
"Everything needs to be cleared up."
Runic marks on the fingers cause misunderstandings
Jennerwein grew a long beard and had rune symbols tattooed on her fingers.
“These are trademarks,” he explains.
They stand for health, strength and family.
Again and again you are "unfortunately put in the right corner".
He and his fellow campaigners in the group “clearly separate themselves from such people,” he emphasizes.
"We don't want to have anything to do with these ideas."
The Kaltenberg knight games and tournament are the highlight in the life of "Cullach Cuthach".
Dressed in a tunic, rus pants, calf wrap and sewn leather shoes, as well as with belt pouches and two colorful glass pearl necklaces, Marinus Jennerwein alias Halfdan Gunnarson is in his element.
Around 60 people from southern Germany and Austria are active in the group, "from families with children to pensioners," reports Jennerwein.
Tölzer Wikinger: The menu includes nettles and oat flakes
He is active in the group as a cook.
In culinary terms, too, it should be as authentic as possible.
“The Vikings didn't know potatoes and tomatoes, and they didn't eat much meat either.” On days like this, the menu mainly includes stews made from nettles, carrots, celery and leeks, but also cereal porridge with oat flakes and pearl barley.
Ceramic cups, wooden plates and spoons are used to eat and drink.
Glass, something “modern”, is taboo.
And what about the legendary mead feasts that the Northmen are said to have held over and over again?
“That wasn't an after-work beer.
The fermented honey wine was only available on special occasions. "
There is great solidarity among the Vikings
In the community, says Jennerwein, he found his "second family".
“The cohesion is great.
You like to give because you know that you will get it back, ”says Jennerwein.
He was also once part of the camp life at Walchensee.
It's nice there, but quite small compared to other medieval events, and it mostly overlaps with other, larger dates.
Jennerwein has been organizing his own small camp on the youth campground in Penzberg for two years now.
If you are interested and want to get a taste of the scene, you are welcome to contact him, he offers.
If you want to contact Marinus Jennerwein, you can do so via Instagram: @halfdangunnarson.
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