Because Vikings were often buried with their weapons, the "killing" of swords may have served two functions. A ritualistic function in retiring a weapon with a warrior, and a practical function in deterring any grave robbers from disturbing the burial in order to get one of these costly weapons.
Why were swords so valuable in Vikings?
Swords were highly valued objects and could be handed down from generation to generation. They were also given as gifts to people of high status in order to stay on good terms with them. Viking swords were also used in another way. This was the tradition of sacrificing the valuable swords in lakes and bogs.
What is a Viking Age sword?
The Viking Age sword (also Viking sword) or Carolingian sword is the type of sword prevalent in Western and Northern Europe during the Early Middle Ages .
What weapons did the Vikings use?
The spear was the most common weapon of Viking warriors. It could be afforded by all warriors, which made it a standard weapon for the Nordic peasant class. The lances carried by the Vikings had an iron head between 20-60 cm long, which was riveted to a wooden shaft.
Did the Vikings use swords?
In the Viking Age a number of different types of weapons were used: swords, axes, bows and arrows, lances and spears. The Vikings also used various aids to protect themselves in combat: shields, helmets and chain mail. The weapons that Vikings possessed depended on their economic capacity.
Why did Vikings use axes and not swords?
0:3935:17Did VIKINGS use AXES and WHY? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDid they use axes. Examples of types of axes that they used what context did they use axes. And whyMoreDid they use axes. Examples of types of axes that they used what context did they use axes. And why this is the important part why might they have used axes. Instead of swords because swords were
Why did Vikings bend swords?
One, they bent the swords as a way to retire the weapon and / or to deter grave robbers from taking them. Two, enemies of a deceased viking would bend his sword to render it useless in the afterlife.
Why were Viking weapons so effective?
They were mainly used on land to charge into the opposing force or to defend against the opposing force. they were made from a wooden handle and an iron head. They were light compared to most spears and were razor sharp and with enough force behind it, it could pierce a wooden shield.
Did Vikings prefer swords or axes?
Axe. The most common hand weapon among Vikings was the axe – swords were more expensive to make and only wealthy warriors could afford them. The prevalence of axes in archaeological sites can likely be attributed to its role as not just a weapon, but also a common tool.
Did Vikings really fight with axes?
Axes were the weapon of choice for the common Viking warrior who could not afford to carry a sword into battle. The axes used for combat were light enough to swing with one hand but still capable of delivering a mortal wound. Viking axes were also instrumental in building the famed Viking longboats.
What happens if a Viking dies without his sword?
Valhalla was the Vikings' Ultimate Goal The mere act of dying while clutching a sword was not a guaranteed ticket into Valhalla. If such were the case, then common farmers and even slaves could find themselves walking among great Viking kings and warriors in the afterlife.
Why do Vikings break the sword of the dead?
So a sword had been a friend with the deceased ones for a lifetime, it was about time for the retirement. Accordingly, the practice of bending the sword was a way to salute to the old friends (the deceased and the sword also).
How thick was a Viking sword?
The blade was typically 4-6cm wide (1.5-2.3in). The hilt and pommel provided the needed weight to balance the blade, with the total weight of the sword ranging from 2-4 lbs (1-2 kg). Typical swords weigh in at the lower end of this range.
What was the rarest Viking weapon?
Ulfberht swordsTypeSwordProduction historyProduced9th to 11th centuriesSpecifications8 more rows
What was a Vikings favorite weapon?
The sword was the most prized weapon. A richly decorated one was a sign of the owner's wealth. Axes with long wooden handles were the most common Viking weapon. A Viking's weapons were usually buried with him when he died.
Did Vikings have 2 handed swords?
4:0314:24Viking Two Handed Swords? - History vs. Fantasy - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause it has a rather narrow blade. And a pretty small lower guard by the way lower and upperMoreBecause it has a rather narrow blade. And a pretty small lower guard by the way lower and upper guard you have to look at the sword.
Where did the Vikings get their swords?
Some of the finest sword blades that the Vikings could acquire were imported from the Rhine area. Their blades bore the name ”ULFBERTH”, which denoted the best swords of the time made of high quality steel. Ulfberth may have been the master, who was responsible for the production of these swords in the Frankish Empire during the 9th century. However, the swords were made up until the 11th century, so the name must subsequently have been used for the products of a particular workshop.
Why was the pommel of the sword important?
The sword was an expensive weapon and therefore much effort was put into decorating its handle. The pommel, which acted as a counterweight to the blade so that the sword balanced, could display inlays of precious metals or intricate patterns. The blade itself often had “blood grooves” running along its middle.
What is the significance of the sword in Offa of Angel?
A sword marks the deadly, pivotal point in the story of Offa of Angel, who is one of the most famous heroes of the Danish legends. The king’s son, Offa, is to engage in combat with two Saxons, but the swords that he has been given break when he tries to use them. His old, blind father King Wermund decides to have his old sword “Skræp” dug up ...
Why were Ulfberth swords banned?
The Ulfberth swords became so popular that a ban had to be placed upon their export. This was imposed to limit the Vikings’ access to these quality swords, which they were using very effectively to ravage the coasts of the Frankish Empire. However, as a result smiths in territories neighbouring the Frankish Empire began to produce sword blades and copy the name ULFBERTH onto them. Both genuine and imitation ULFBERTH swords have been found throughout large parts of Europe. The imitations, however, are often of a distinctly lower quality than the genuine examples.
What were the blades of the sword made of?
Materials and decoration. The hilts of the swords were of various shapes and were made of bone, antler or precious metals such as gold and silver. The sword was an expensive weapon and therefore much effort was put into decorating its handle.
What were swords made of?
The hilts of the swords were of various shapes and were made of bone, antler or precious metals such as gold and silver. The sword was an expensive weapon and therefore much effort was put into decorating its handle. The pommel, which acted as a counterweight to the blade so that the sword balanced, could display inlays of precious metals or intricate patterns. The blade itself often had “blood grooves” running along its middle. These saved valuable metal and made the sword lighter.
What is the Rosenlund sword?
The Rosenlund sword. The fine silver decoration is still visible. Swords as gifts and offerings. We are familiar with Viking swords from various burials, which mainly date to the early Viking period. It was most often people of high status who were buried with swords in the Viking Age.
What was the ideal sword for Vikings?
The ideal sword was light, strong, easy to handle, flexible, and had two sharp edges. Most Vikings would fight with their sword in one hand and their shield in the other. If the sword was not light the Norseman would soon tire in the heat of battle.
What is a Viking sword?
A Viking sword was a deadly weapon and symbol of power. It was jewelry for a man, with 'magical properties'. How the Vikings named their sword was a matter of heritage. Swords were given names and passed from father to son for generations.
How many swords are there in Norse mythology?
Swords played a significant role in Norse Sages as well as in the lives of the Vikings. Researchers have so far identified about 100 named swords in Norse mythology. Tyrfying and Gram are two famous magical swords in Norse mythology.
What is the most mysterious Viking artifact?
One of the most mysterious Viking artifacts is the Ulfberht Sword. It’s an ancient artifact far ahead of its time and we do not know whose name is inscribed on this enigmatic ancient sword.
What is the Viking sword?
Instead, the Viking swords were a symbol of masculinity, family ties, loyalty to the ruler, as well as an essential part of ritual funeral rites. At the beginning of the Viking Age, swords were mostly one-sided.
Where did the Vikings find weapons?
Archaeologists found Viking weaponry in graves, sunken ships, lakes, and places where Vikings fought.
What was the most prestigious weapon in the Viking Age?
Swords. Viking swords were the most prestigious weapon of the Viking Age. But, unfortunately, this meant that swords could not be held by all community members but only by those who belonged to the social elite. The Viking swords were much more than just a fighting weapon in Viking culture.
How many Viking axes have their own names?
Many Viking weapons were given names, so certain axes had their own names. According to the Nordic sagas, 17 Viking axes had their names. One of the most famous was the axe called "Hel" named after the Goddess of Death. King Magnus of Norway and Denmark inherited this famous axe from Olav Haraldsson (his father).
What made the Vikings so famous?
The courage of the Viking warriors was so famous that it became part of a legend. However, courage is not the only thing that made the Vikings more superior warriors than their contemporaries. The Vikings had superior technology when it came to making weapons, which turned them into supreme warriors, who are not forgotten even today, ...
Why did the Vikings throw spears at the enemy?
Because of that, the Vikings threw spears at the enemies in order to break their lines and thus weaken their army . Also, the Vikings believed that they were sacrificing enemy soldiers to Odin by throwing spears.
Why is a spear considered a lower quality weapon than a sword?
Also, the metal used to make the spear could be of more inferior quality, which is why it was considered a lower-quality weapon than a sword.
What weapon did the Vikings use?
While their swords may have been the glamour weapon in their arsenal, the humble axe is likely the one that won battles for the Vikings. Axes were a common sight throughout Scandinavia during the Viking Age (and even long prior) as they were multi-functional tools that were useful around the farm, on the homestead, and even to build the iconic longships that ferried warriors to distant battlefields. [6]
Why did the Vikings use shields?
Rather than blocking direct blows from opponents’ armament, Viking shields were intended to deflect or absorb the force of weapon strikes. Enemy blades could become embedded in the wood planks and the shield-bearer could wrestle weapons away. [4] Savvy Vikings used their highly maneuverable shields as an extension of their arm, striking their enemies with the metal bosses in the center of the shields.
What was the deadliest Viking weapon?
Despite their simple design and utilitarian appearance, Viking axes were all business on the battlefield and among the deadliest of Viking weapons. (Also see Did Vikings Have to Die with Sword in Hand to Reach Valhalla?)
What is the most famous spear in Viking history?
As a testament to the significance of spears in the Viking arsenal, the most famous spear of all, Gungnir, was the trusted weapon of none other than Odin the all-father of Norse gods. [13] Crafted by dwarves and imbued with magical attributes, Gungnir reputedly never missed its intended target.
What were the Viking shields used for?
While they undoubtedly served primarily defensive purposes, in the hands of skilled warriors, Viking shields could also be utilized as offensive weapons. Unlike the larger, heavier shields used elsewhere in Europe during the Middle Ages, Viking shields were lightweight and designed with different objectives in mind. (Also see The Viking Shield: The Meaning of the Shape, Color, and Patterns)
Why did the Vikings fight?
Sailing over long distances in their iconic longships, the Vikings set their sights on distant shores in their quest for wealth, power, and new lands to settle. In so doing, they engaged in fierce battles, often fighting in close quarters with weapons geared toward this type of combat. Read on to learn about the weapons used by the Vikings to achieve historic dominance, starting with their beloved swords.
Why are swords buried in graves?
In addition, because of their tremendous worth not just in battle but as family heirlooms, swords were either passed down from one generation to the next or buried in their owners’ graves. [1] Sometimes they were left as sacrifices to the Norse gods. (Also see 25 Norse Gods to Know)
How did the Vikings harden their swords?
I have heard a story that the Vikings had inadvertently found a way to surface hardening their swords by heating them first and then forcing them into their victims’ bodies . The nitrogen in the blood produced a harder superficial layer on the steel, enough to keep a sharper edge for longer without compromising the strength of the sword.
How much did a Viking sword cost?
They were costly to make and reserved for prominent persons in a society. It is estimated that a sword of this type would cost an equivalent of 1,300 US dollars to purchase.
What was the most popular weapon in the Old Germanic world?
The Seax – A Deadly Blade To Have. Another bladed weapon that was highly popular in the Old Germanic world is the Seax. Also known as the sæx or the sex, this weapon is best termed as a long knife or a dagger, and very rarely as a short sword.
What were Viking weapons made of?
These were most often made from wood, and sometimes horn. One of the most typical and easily accessible Viking weapons is the seax. Pictured: an excavated seax (top) and a replica (below). (Bullenwächter / CC BY-SA 3.0 ) A seax was almost exclusively a single edged blade, and worn in a scabbard.
What was the Viking Age?
Nothing continues to be so inspiring and thrilling from early medieval history such as the Viking Age. This exciting historical period turned the nations of Europe upside down, and ushered in a new, revolutionary age. As these brave Norsemen sailed forth from their age-old settlements, they began exploring all corners of Europe – ...
How many lobes are there in a Viking sword?
They were distinctly shaped by three or five round lobes, and it quickly became the most recognizable part of a Frankish / Viking sword. The hand guards were also distinctly short, contrary to what later became a standard with the knightly sword. Swords excavated at Viking Age burials.
Why did the Norsemen use round shields?
In this way, the shields were sturdier and provided a proper wall to fight from. The Norsemen also utilized round shields as protection on their longboats. Special fastening points were developed that allowed the shields to be fixed along the boat’s edges.
Why were Viking swords never used?
Scientists say such Vikings swords covered with beautiful decorations became symbols of power and status and they were almost never used because they were never designed for combat. As the role of swords changed in the Viking society, these ‘weapons’ simply became decorative clothing accessories.
How were Viking swords made?
A neutron diffraction study conducted on three Viking swords from the National Museum of Denmark revealed that these weapons were created using through pattern-welding, a technique in which thin strips of different kinds of iron and steel are welded together and then folded, twisted and forged in various ways to produce decorative patterns on the resulting surfaces.
What is the name of the sword in Norse mythology?
Tyrfying and Gram are two famous magical swords in Norse mythology.
What are some examples of Viking artifacts?
Some Viking artifacts remain an unsolved mystery even today. One such example is the Ulfberht Sword. It’s an ancient artifact far ahead of its time and we do not know whose name is inscribed on this enigmatic ancient sword.
What did the Vikings believe?
Vikings believed a man and his sword were bound together. The sword gave power to the warrior, but warrior’s strength could also be transferred to the sword.
Who was the first scientist to study Viking swords?
According to Anna Fedrigo, a materials scientist at the Technical University of Denmark, this was the first study which allowed researchers to virtually 'slice' Viking swords, showing how different materials have been combined together.
Did Vikings carry swords?
Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - Scientists have discovered that Vikings occasionally carried useless decorative swords that could not be used as real weapons.
What tools did the Vikings use?
The axes were a popular Viking tool, used by most people on a day-to-day basis. But the axes that the Vikings used for chopping wood were usually of a more straightforward build than those designed specifically for fighting.
What are the Vikings best remembered for?
The Vikings are best remembered as warriors and there’s little doubt that they were fearsome fighters. All Vikings were free men and most considered it their duty to carry weapons – not just to carry out the sort of plundering raids that the Vikings are famed for, but also to defend their families
Why are battle axes so popular?
Battle axes were built with long handles, which granted warriors a better reach and would typically be light and well-balanced for use in nimble combat. Swords were more expensive to make and only wealthy warriors could afford them. The prevalence of axes in archaeological sites can likely be attributed to its role as not just a weapon, but also a common tool.
What was the Housecarl's preferred weapon?
His daneaxe served as compromise spear, axe and hook and it was his preferred weapon because of its reach, flexibility and lethality. Any opponent stepping to the guy above with a sword was at a disadvantage; the housecarl’s light weapon had greater reach and utility.
What was the Daneaxe?
Please note, the daneaxe was weapon of choice of a professional Norse soldier that specialized in its use. These men were not part time farmers that went raiding after the harvest. A housecarl was the full time retainer and bodyguard of a lord and paid accordingly. These men signed on to be professional soldiers of big shots like Byzantine emperors or warlords of note, for a specified period.
Why is an axe blade faster than a sword?
An Axe blade was could be made faster than a sword because of its size. A wooden handle wouldn’t need a blacksmith but woodworker.
Why is a sword more laborious than an axe?
A sword is much more laborious than any because the effort and cost in forging a long cutting blade and piercing tip instead of just hacking edge of an axe.
Overview
Trade
The distribution of Frankish blades throughout Scandinavia and as far east as Volga Bulgaria attest to the considerable importance of Frankish arms exports, even though Carolingian kings attempted to prevent the export of weapons to potential enemies; in 864, Charles the Bald set the death penalty on selling weapons to the Vikings. Ibn Fadlan in the 10th century notes explicitly that the V…
Terminology
Although popularly called "Viking sword", this type of sword was produced in the Frankish Empire during the Carolingian era. The association of the name "Viking" with these swords is due to the disappearance of grave goods in Christian Francia in the 8th century, due to which the bulk of sword blades of Frankish manufacture of this period were found in pagan burials of Viking Age Scandinavia, …
History
During the reign of Charlemagne, the price of a sword (a spata) with scabbard was set at seven solidi (totaling about US$1300) (Lex Ribuaria). Swords were still comparatively expensive weapons, although not as exclusive as during the Merovingian period, and in Charlemagne's capitularies, only members of the cavalry, who could afford to own and maintain a warhorse, were required to be …
Culture
Swords were very costly to make, and a sign of high status. Owning a sword was a matter of high honour. Persons of status might own ornately decorated swords with silver accents and inlays. Most Viking warriors would own a sword as one raid was usually enough to afford a good blade. Most freemen would own a sword with goðar, jarls and sometimes richer freemen owning much more ornately decorated swords. The poor farmers would use an axe or spear instead but after …
Handle
The Frankish swords often had pommels shaped in a series of three or five rounded lobes. This was a native Frankish development which did not exist prior to the 8th century, and the design is frequently represented in the pictorial art of the period, e.g. in the Stuttgart Psalter, Utrecht Psalter, Lothar Gospels and Bern Psychomachia manuscripts, as well as in the wall frescoes in the church in Mals, South Tyrol. Likewise, the custom of inlaid inscriptions in the blades is Frankish innovatio…
Scabbards
Carolingian scabbards were made of wood and leather. Scabbard decorations are depicted in several manuscripts (Stuttgart Psalter, Utrecht Psalter, Vivian Bible). A number of miniatures also show the system of suspension of the sword by means of the sword-belt. While the scabbards and belts themselves are almost never preserved, their metal mounts have been found in Scandinavian silver hoards and in Croatian graves. A complete set seems to have included two t…
Morphology
The seminal study of the topic is due to Jan Petersen (De Norske Vikingsverd, 1919).
Petersen (1919): Devised the original hilt typology of 26 types that is still widely used across Europe for classifying and dating Viking swords. Based on about 1,700 finds of Viking swords in Norway this typology remains the most comm…
Viking Weapons and Armor
Types of Offensive Viking Weaponry in The Viking Age
- Although in many ways superior to their rivals, the Vikings did not use any form of writing to pass their stories during their reign. Therefore, there are no reliable records from that period that describe the Viking wars and the weapons they used during the fighting. Therefore, it is clear that archaeological research and records are the most reliable source of information on this topic. Ar…
Types of Defensive Viking Weapons in The Viking Age
- As we said before, the Norse men also wore Viking weapons and armor during battles that had a defensive purpose. Such weapons are called defensive Viking weapons and include: 1. Helmets, 2. Shields, 3. Chainmails (metal protective shirt).
Viking Weapons and Armor: The Takeaway
- As we said initially, the Viking Age was a time of violence, and wars were an integral part of Scandinavian life. Accustomed to fierce fighting, the ancient Norse warriors were not afraid of death. However, the Vikings understood the importance of weapons. And, even though fear was not present in their war campaigns, they still went on raids with the best weapons at hand. The …