Viking sword
Encyclopedia
The Viking sword is a form of spatha
, evolving out of the Migration Period sword
in the 8th century, and evolving into the classical knightly sword
in the 11th century with the emergence of larger crossguards. Although called "Viking swords", this style of sword was not exclusively limited to Vikings and appeared throughout Europe during the Viking age
.
running their length, yet still had single-handed hilt
s which often sported a lobed or cocked-hat style pommel. The fuller was used to increase the strength and flexibility of the sword while reducing the weight of the sword at the same time. This weight reduction and flexibility would allow the wielder to swing faster and harder strokes while, at the same time, allowing the sword to bend but not break when it hit bone. While the pattern of hilt and blade
design of this time might readily be called "the Viking sword" to do so would be to disregard the widespread popularity swords of this sort enjoyed. All over continental Europe between 700-1000 AD this design and its small variations could be found. Only the wealthier Viking goðar
, jarls
, and sometimes selected freemen wielded swords, while ordinary freeman tended to carry axes, spears or/and slings.
During Norman
times the blades increased some to 100 cm (40") in overall length, and the hilt changed significantly. The Brazil-nut pommel became popular only to be replaced by a thick disc-shaped pommel that was attached 'on-edge' to the bottom of the iron hilt. In addition the upper guard grew substantially from the near-absent design predating it. Also the blades tended to taper slightly less than those found during the times of the Vikings.
Spatha
The spatha was a type of straight sword, measuring between , in use throughout first millennium AD Europe, and in the territory of the Roman Empire until about 600 AD. Later swords from 600 AD to 1000 AD are recognizable derivatives, though they are not spathae.The spatha was used in gladiatorial...
, evolving out of the Migration Period sword
Migration Period sword
Swords of the Migration Period show a transition from the Roman era Spatha to the "Viking sword" types of the Early Middle Ages....
in the 8th century, and evolving into the classical knightly sword
Arming sword
The arming sword is the single handed cruciform sword of the High Middle Ages, in common use between ca. 1000 and 1500, possibly remaining in rare use into the 16th century...
in the 11th century with the emergence of larger crossguards. Although called "Viking swords", this style of sword was not exclusively limited to Vikings and appeared throughout Europe during the Viking age
Viking Age
Viking Age is the term for the period in European history, especially Northern European and Scandinavian history, spanning the late 8th to 11th centuries. Scandinavian Vikings explored Europe by its oceans and rivers through trade and warfare. The Vikings also reached Iceland, Greenland,...
.
History
During the Viking age, swords grew slightly in length to 93 cm (36.6") and took on a slightly more acute distal taper and point. These blades had deep fullersFuller (weapon)
A fuller is a rounded or beveled groove or slot in the flat side of a blade . A fuller is often used to lighten the blade, much in the way that an I-beam shape allows a given amount of strength to be achieved with less material...
running their length, yet still had single-handed hilt
Hilt
The hilt of a sword is its handle, consisting of a guard,grip and pommel. The guard may contain a crossguard or quillons. A ricasso may also be present, but this is rarely the case...
s which often sported a lobed or cocked-hat style pommel. The fuller was used to increase the strength and flexibility of the sword while reducing the weight of the sword at the same time. This weight reduction and flexibility would allow the wielder to swing faster and harder strokes while, at the same time, allowing the sword to bend but not break when it hit bone. While the pattern of hilt and blade
Blade
A blade is that portion of a tool, weapon, or machine with a cutting edge and/or a pointed tip that is designed to cut and/or puncture, stab, slash, chop, slice, thrust, or scrape animate or inanimate surfaces or materials...
design of this time might readily be called "the Viking sword" to do so would be to disregard the widespread popularity swords of this sort enjoyed. All over continental Europe between 700-1000 AD this design and its small variations could be found. Only the wealthier Viking goðar
Gothi
A goði or gothi is the Old Norse term for a priest and chieftain. Gyðja signifies a priestess.The name appears in Wulfila's Gothic language translation of the bible as gudja for "priest", but in Old Norse it is only the feminine form gyðja that perfectly corresponds to the Gothic form...
, jarls
Earl
An earl is a member of the nobility. The title is Anglo-Saxon, akin to the Scandinavian form jarl, and meant "chieftain", particularly a chieftain set to rule a territory in a king's stead. In Scandinavia, it became obsolete in the Middle Ages and was replaced with duke...
, and sometimes selected freemen wielded swords, while ordinary freeman tended to carry axes, spears or/and slings.
During Norman
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
times the blades increased some to 100 cm (40") in overall length, and the hilt changed significantly. The Brazil-nut pommel became popular only to be replaced by a thick disc-shaped pommel that was attached 'on-edge' to the bottom of the iron hilt. In addition the upper guard grew substantially from the near-absent design predating it. Also the blades tended to taper slightly less than those found during the times of the Vikings.
See also
- Migration period swordMigration Period swordSwords of the Migration Period show a transition from the Roman era Spatha to the "Viking sword" types of the Early Middle Ages....
- Cawood swordCawood swordThe Cawood sword is regarded as "one of the finest Viking swords ever discovered". It is nearly 1,000 years old and is the fifth sword of its type ever to be found and by far the best preserved....
- Thurmuth sword
External links
- Wiglaf's Weapon Widget Database of Viking swords.