Small town Viking Levi Bogue, stands in his fancy regalia, with his ax. PHOTO BY MICHAEL BATTLE AX DAVIS

TAMA – The morning sun glints off the metal of his helmet as the horse hair blows in the wind, the chainmail clinks, the leather yawns, and Levi Bogue wades through the grass, a vision from millennia past.

He’s a local boy. He graduated from STC. He lives in Tama. He’s seen all over town, and he’s a Viking. Let me back up. When you were in History class, drooling on your desk and dreaming of summer, Levi was paying attention. History is a subject that has always fascinated Mr. Bogue, but it is one certain era that has etched its home in his heart – the Viking Age.

It all started about 10 years ago with a friend and coworker, who asked Bogue if he wanted to join Skjaldborg.

“This was an exciting thing for me to do, because you know I’m a history nerd and all that,” Bogue stated. The group, whose name is the Swedish word for shield wall, is a midwestern historical Viking reenactment collective that was founded in Omaha in the mid-90s. The late John Chadwell was a founding member, who became a leader and mentor in the group before his death in 2020.

The history of the Vikings lives in the lungs and the hearts of the members of Skjaldborg, whose most lively activity is full-on combat. With fists gripping fully weighted steel swords and axes, the groups put on battles of unchoreographed carnage. Bogue has more than his fair share of Viking war stories; his most brutal ends with a concussion and a scar behind his ear. Among the various weapons that Mr. Bogue carries into battle are a few different types of swords, two axes, and a spear. Although these weapons may look deadly, when you get up close, you see that the swords aren’t sharpened, and the ax has a dull flat edge. So, even though it may still hurt to get wounded in a Skjaldborg battle, no heads will be lopped off.

The Levi Bogue you are probably used to seeing out and about in Tama-Toledo. PHOTO BY MICHAEL BATTLE AX DAVIS

And where there are weapons, there is armor. Once upon a time, Bogue had the full metal kit that went from chest to toes, but the constant weight and uncomfortability of the gear forced him to sell. However, he is still in possession of his helmet. A beastly piece of metal that comes nearly to a point at the top where horse hair is bound Mr. Bogue got imported from across the pond. The helmet weighs several pounds and has chainmail that hangs over his face. Another notable piece of protective gear is his shield, a large wooden calvary shield that bears the visage of a bird.

Bogue’s outfit is also made up of fancy wools, silks, and mainly linen. The bright colors he adorns are historically accurate, unlike, as he puts it, “The biker leather look,” that you see in the movies. His outfit also differs from versions you may have seen because Mr. Bogue portrays a warrior from the Kyivan Rus, which would be modern day Eastern Europe. Bogue dresses like the Swedish Vikings that ruled the area in the late 900s.

It may be a large chunk of it, but the action and the weapons aren’t all what makes up Viking reenactment. The pulse of Viking history can be felt within many crafts and works that are utilized within the group, including blacksmithing, carpentry, sewing, and leatherwork. Levi has a wooden chest that holds many of his treasured Viking items. Custom smelted coins that he got from another group member are among them.

Viking reenactment events are held all over the United States, and Bogue has traveled for a few. Two events are held annually in Iowa, The Danish American Fest in Elk Horn, and the Nordic Fest in Decorah. Bogue used to travel twice a year down to Missouri, to his favorite Viking place before the location was shut down in recent years. Ravensborg, as the site was called, was a recreation of a fort that would’ve been present in Viking-age Europe.

When asked what his favorite thing is about participating in the Viking reenactments, Bogue said, “Everything, the people I’ve met, the friends I’ve made.” He went on to state, “I’ve made friends with people in almost every single continent because of reenactments.”

In his battle attire, Levi Bogue wields his sword and shield. PHOTO BY MICHAEL BATTLE AX DAVIS

So, if you see him around town, dressed in jeans and boots instead of leg wraps and a helmet, just know you’ve now seen a real live Viking. A local man who is keeping history alive with a sword and an ax.

Oh, also, Bogue said that if you want to join; if you have a penchant for history and love Vikings, find him on Facebook. He’ll help you join the group, and get started swinging a sword through history.

The small town viking sits with all of his weapons and armor. PHOTO BY MICHAEL BATTLE AX DAVIS

Levi Bogue demonstrates the ease to which a solid steel sword can bend. PHOTO BY MICHAEL BATTLE AX DAVIS

PHOTO BY MICHAEL BATTLE AX DAVIS

PHOTO BY MICHAEL BATTLE AX DAVIS