Guizer Jarl And Jarl Squad
The Guizer Jarl
The Guizer Jarl is the Chief Guizer, the leader of the Jarl Squad who are the Vikings for the day.
The first Up Helly Aa leader was elected by his fellow guizers away back in 1882 and was given the title of Worthy Chief Guizer. His role was increasingly seen as one of substance and importance, so much so that, in 1906, it was decided to purchase a Viking suit of armour and other accoutrements for the chief, and to call him from then onwards, the Guizer Jarl.
The first Jarl’s outfit was described as follows: “He wore a silver helmet, with raven’s wings rising high on either side, a corselet with sleeves of silver mail was worn over a jerkin, fastened round the neck and hung loosely from the shoulders. On the legs were thigh length black stockings and on the feet were rawhide sandals fastened with tan leather thongs which criss-crossed over the instep and all the way up the thighs. He carried a round silver shield on which was engraved a raven, a large silver-headed battle axe and dagger hung from his belt.
In 1931 considerable improvements was made to the outfit. A new helmet, shield, axe and dagger were provided. The helmet was chromium plated and was an anonymous present to the Committee while the axe blade, the shield and the dagger were made by Magnus Nicolson. Tom Henry designed the axe, and Magnus Pearson made the haft. Shield, axe and dagger were all electroplated. In the following year, with Peter Moar Jarl, J. R. Sutherland designed a heraldic raven for the shield, in black and red, sunk in white metal and edged with brass.
Over the years parts of the suit have been worn or damaged and have been replaced by the committee, keeping the same design which originated in the early 1930’s.
Each year the suit of armour (the helmet, breastplate, shield, axe, dagger and belt) are passed down to the next Jarl. He will choose his own design for his kirtle and cloak in colours that will both contrast and highlight him from his squad.