Contrary Life

Contrary Life is a website covering quirky events across the UK.

  • Home
  • About
  • Events by region
    • North East
    • North West
    • Yorkshire
    • East Midlands
    • West Midlands
    • East
    • London
    • South East
    • South West
    • Scotland
    • Northern Ireland
    • Wales
Home > Heritage > Join the Viking camp on Tynwald Day

Join the Viking camp on Tynwald Day

By Caroline King - July 3, 2014Posted in : Heritage, TOP-STORY

Tynwald Day - Isle of Man

The Tynwald Day Ceremony.

When: 7th July 2014, from 10am

Where: St John’s, Isle of Man

£: Free.  Grandstand tickets for the Ceremony cost £4 and must be purchased in advance.

What is it?

The Tynwald Day Ceremony takes place every year on the Isle of Man.  Tynwald, a word of Norse origin, is the parliament of the Isle of Man.  This year’s ceremony takes place on Monday 7th July.

The Tynwald Day Ceremony is unique as it is the only open air parliamentary sitting, based on the tradition of the Viking Thing (in other words a Viking assembly). The original gathering was an opportunity for all the people to come together to hear the new laws, as before widespread literacy there was no other way to make this information known.

Tynwald Day - Isle of Man

The Deputy Deemster promulgating the laws in Manx.

This tradition continues today as the laws made the previous year are promulgated in both English and Manx.  If laws are not promulgated within 18 months of being made they in fact cease to have effect.  No other parliament in the world has such a long unbroken record as these annual outdoor Tynwald sittings.

The day begins with a parade, followed by a service at St John’s Chapel.  This is followed by a procession to Tynwald Hill for the outdoor parliamentary gathering. At the ceremony any person may approach the hill and present a Petition for Redress.  Rather uniquely, this means any person can draw attention to a matter that they feel is important and this can lead to new legislation being created. This year’s proceedings will draw to a close with the Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums playing on Tynwald Hill at 10.30pm.

This year, to highlight the Isle of Man’s Viking past, there will be Vikings gathering in St John’s over Tynwald Day weekend and setting up camp in Cooil y Ree.  This will give visitors the opportunity to learn about the Vikings’ way of life, from the weapons they used to the clothes they wore and the food they ate.  Visitors will also be able to hear accounts of Viking sagas and, on Tynwald Hill on Tynwald Day, there will be a re-enactment of what the original ‘Thing’ or assembly might have been like.

The Viking Encampment will be free for visitors to enter and will be open on Sunday 6th July from 1pm to 7pm, and on Monday 7th July from 10am to 5pm.

More info: www.tynwald.org.im

Related Posts

  • Enjoy some peculiar paddling at the 43rd World Tin Bath Championships
  • Revived custom 'Bawming of the Thorn' takes place in Cheshire
  • Knollys Rose Ceremony, a quirky tradition in the City of London

Tagged With: Family events, Free events, Isle of Man events, North West, Tynwald Day

Curiosity of the Week

The quirky wonders of Wigtown
Martyr's Stake in Wigtown

The annual Wigtown Book Festival opens this week. So, we thought it was a good time to take a look at this quirky Scottish town for our latest Curiosity of the Week…

Top Story

Solo cinema and scientific sounds at Flatpack Festival
Flatpack Festival 2022, Design by Keith Dodds and Illustration by Jacques Kleynhans

Flatpack Festival brings an eclectic mix of shows, screenings and activities that surprise and delight audiences to venues across Birmingham…

What are you looking for today?

  • Alternative Sport
  • Art
  • Cabaret and Circus
  • Cinema
  • Classes, Workshops & Talks
  • Club Night
  • Comedy
  • Dance
  • Exhibitions and Installations
  • Fairs and Markets
  • Festival
  • Food & Drink
  • Heritage and History
  • Interview
  • Literature
  • Museum
  • Music
  • Nature and Outdoors
  • Review
  • Science and Technology
  • Theatre
  • Walks and Tours

Sign up to our Newsletter

Copyright © 2022 · Contrary Life