After becoming involved with the New Varangian Guard from Australia, I made many contacts with merchants/craftsmen from the southern hemisphere that produce items that are extraordinary in appearance.  One such merchant is the BIRKA TRADERS owned and operated by Peter and Christobel Beatson.  They sell many superb products but I was immediately drawn to their reproductions of  boots and shoes.  Many of the shoemakers that I am used to dealing with have a good product but their prices are a bit out of range for a guy like me that has to budget re-enactment money carefully.  Upon seeing the BIRKA TRADERS  prices I became very excited that I would now be able to "upgrade" a crucial part of my appearance that I had to let slack for so long. In efforts to show other people like myself (those that are on a budget) that there are affordable products that are also of outstanding quality I have put this site together to show off his boots and shoes in efforts to promote business for Peter and company!  

I have spoken with Peter and volunteered to be a contact point/ distribution point in the US. I am setting up to handle US orders for Peter, so if you are located in the US and are interested in his product contact me (you can of course contact Peter if you desire.)  I would like to make clear that I am not interested in making a profit from this venture,  I just want others to know that affordable DOCUMENTABLE footwear is available. Anything you read here can be verified on the BIRKA TRADERS  site (the prices will have to be converted back to Australian dollars (AUD) of course) except for the Extras,  which have been determined by corresponding with Peter about costs of  shipping his products to the US.

What follows are examples of Peter's work,  please take a look and compare his prices to what you last paid for handmade shoes.  You may think, "yeah they are cheaper in price so they HAVE to be cheaper in quality."  Honestly I cant at this point in time say if this is true or false (as I await ordering boots until mid October), BUT, I have been corresponding with Peter and many others that are in the NVG. They are considered to be some of the best in the Reenactment field when it comes to authenticity and documentable items.  I dont believe that they would let a product go out that wouldn't be considered top notch by their peers in the Reenactment community.

All the shoes listed below are shoes that are all based on archaeological finds,  the leather used is cattle hide with linen thread, all hand crafted - tunnel stitched soles and blind-stitched uppers exactly as per the originals. A range of shoes that cover the period 900-1200, and beyond is available. Finished product are usually ready to send within six weeks of receiving measurements and a deposit.  Peter has been making authentic shoes for about 12 years and a good fit is the usual outcome, if not you can return the shoes for adjustment/replacement (if not noticeably worn or damaged). 

******ALL PRICES LISTED ON THIS PAGE ARE IN US DOLLARS******

See Preferred Payment Methods below!

Pictures of the finished products are also available for most of the shoes below.  An asterisk beside the name of the shoes means that photo's aren't available at this time.

Click of the thumbnails of the shoes to see examples of the finished products. 

What they look like	Type	Source	Time Period	Features	Price
	OSEBERG SHOES	Viking shoes from Oseberg ship burial, Norway	800-850AD	Front opening ankle boot Thong fastening Sole V-shaped at rear-	$150
	COPPERGATE SHOES	Anglo-Viking shoe from 4 Coppergate, York England	900-1000AD	Front opening ankle boot Flap with toggle fastening over instep Sole V-shaped at rear Wool whipstitch decoration around opening	$165
	NORWICH SHOES	Anglo-Viking shoe from Norwich,  England	900-1000AD	Front opening ankle boot Double flap with toggle fastenings over instep Sole V-shaped at rear Wool whipstitch decoration around opening	$180
	HEDEBY 1 PIECE SHOES	Slavic or Danish shoe from Hedeby/Haithabu, Northern Germany	900-1050AD	One-piece design (including sole) - light duty only!             (i.e. no fighting in them) Front opening ankle boot Thong drawstring fastening Top band (leather binding strip) around opening	$140
	ANGLO-NORMAN SHOES another finished pair viewable here!	Anglo-Norman shoes from New Fresh Wharf site, London	1050-1100AD	Ankle boot, side opening with inner flap for leak resistance Drawstring fastening Sole V-shaped at rear Top band with interwoven woolen decoration around opening	$210
	BYZANTINE HIGH BOOTS	Early medieval Coptic boot from Akhmim, Egypt	900-1200AD	High enclosed shaft, pointed toe Heel reinforcement Top band (leather binding strip) around opening	$180
	BYZANTINE SHOES	Coptic shoe in Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto	800-1000AD	Front opening ankle boot with criss-cross lacing Pointed flap over instep Goatskin upper with sheepskin lining on quarters Listed price is WITHOUT painted decorations	$170
	MEDIEVAL LOW SHOES another finished pair viewable here!	Shoe from Parliament St. York, England	900-1300AD	Very common, widespread and long lived design (see here) Front lacing or drawstring fastening available Internal heel reinforcement Top band optional	$125 or $110 w/o top bands.
	SKEW TOED SHOES	Norman shoe from Seal House site, London	1100-1150AD	Front opening ankle boot Exaggerated toe fashionable in early 12th cent. Slightly waisted sole Drawstring fastening over flap at instep Wool whipstitch decoration around opening	$180
	*SHORT BOOT WITH DRAWSTRING	Boot from Billingsgate site, London	1150-1200AD	Front opening short boot Long spiral drawstring held by vertical thong Waisted sole Internal heel reinforcement Top band (leather binding strip) around opening	$210
	SHORT BOOT WITH TOGGLES	Boot from Swan Lane site, London	1250-1300AD	Front opening short boot Fastened by four toggles and loops Waisted sole Internal heel reinforcement Top band (leather binding strip) around opening	$240
	LATCHET SLIPPER	Slipper from Baynard Castle site, London	1350-1400AD	Slipper with deep cutout and pointed toe Latchet fastening Strongly waisted sole Woolen strengthening cords over joins	$140

*prices are subject to small changes, the latest price lists take precedence. I will try to keep the above list updates as frequently as possible. Prices listed are base price only for total price,  add the amount listed under Extras for an approximate final price.

Ordering

Ordering is as easy as 1-2-3-4

1) Measurements

As shoes are made to measure the following things are needed (Please measure BOTH feet ACCURATELY to nearest 1/4 inch (0.5 cm), while standing normally):

• A = Outlines of both feet (while standing). Trace around foot with pencil and mark the points at which measurements B and C were taken.
• B = Over feet at widest part (base of big toe), from floor to floor.
• C = Over arches just in front of ankle, from floor to floor.
• D = Circumference of legs, just above ankle.
• E = Circumference of legs, at thickest part of calf (for boots only).
• F = Height from floor to thickest part of calf (for boots only).

Things we also need to know:

• do you intend to wear thick socks or foot wraps with them?
• do you intend to fight in them?*
• what (if any) is your colour preference

*Many have emailed me about what if any modifications can be made to make these boots "combat ready."

After speaking to  Peter on this subject this is what he had to say:

 

"I try to make shoes authentically, to the same standard as the original. Their protective value is minimal as they aren't rigid.  There are no extra
thicknesses, heels, treads, rubber or nails on the soles for grip.

Everyone in the NVG fights in shoes like these (except those just starting out of course).  I have been told it does take getting used to after using
rigid-soled modern boots in combat, but most people manage fine.

I would add a felt or sheepskin insole on stony ground, that's all."

For those in the SCA interested in these boots but worry about the sole, contact me for ideas on additional sole layer after purchasing, this is in no way guaranteed by Peter or myself (in fact I'm sure it negates the ability to return the product if dissatisfied, so make sure you are satisfied with the product first) but I have been successful with adding soles to SCA shoes in the past and wont mind sharing the technique with others.

2) Add in the "Extras"

Extras (to include when figuring the price of your order)

All costs are estimates at this time, ask for exact estimates upon ordering!

• AIR MAIL POSTAGE TO US (per pair)                                $13.00                                                         
• INSURANCE (per order) 

• value $100-200                                                                $ 4.50
• value $201-300                                                                $ 6.50
• value $301-400                                                                $ 8.50
• value $401-500                                                                $10.50

• CURRENCY EXCHANGE FEES (per order)                       $  6.00

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as you can see it can cost as little as $23.50 or as much as 29.50 extra per order.

3) Contact me about to order (if you are in the US)

You can contact me via the email addy listed under the above hyperlink.

Ordering Requirements

most of these (other than the exceptions to the last two below) are the BIRKA TRADERS policies, which can be verified here.

• 50% deposit minimum is requested up front
• After you approve the quote, work will begin when the deposit is received,  an Invoice will be issued at this time.
• Allow 3-6 weeks from your invoice date for your order to be shipped.  Large orders or special commissions may take longer, you will be notified if this is the case.
• Once finished, orders will be shipped only if final payment has been received (NO C.O.D.!)  Goods can not be provided until full payment has been made.
• Normal delivery method is Economy Air Freight.   Please ask if another method is preferred.   Orders over $25 will normally be registered (sign for delivery) and those over $100 will be adequately insured at a small extra charges (see above.)  
• The boots are not very heavy, probably around 1 kg - by air mail to the US this cost aprox. $13.25 including packaging. Peter  also recommends insuring them, see above prices.
• Sorry, no personal checks are currently accepted by BIRKA TRADER but contact me if you are a US resident to handle this option.
• Sorry, no credit card options are available from BIRKA TRADER at this time and due to recent events I no longer wish to deal with Paypal so I can longer offer this service either, sorry. 

Preferred Payment Methods

• US currency
• Money orders
• Checks (checks will have to clear before work is started)

4) Wait for your order to come in!

This is the easy past, ok it may be hard for some as they will be excited to receive a authentic set of footwear that was affordable!