Friday, November 27, 2015

Viking blade


The iron blade has rusted, but the handle of silver and gold is well preserved. It has some pictoral inscriptions not yet interpreted, it seems like a mix of Norse and Christian symbols, with circles, a cross and some Latin letters. It’s been dated to ca. 1030. Along with an axe and some coins, much points towards the sword’s owner being a wealthy warrior under king Canute.

3 comments:

  1. I'm sure that the sword was more for ceremony than combat, but it doesn't diminish its beauty.

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  2. Holding a well balanced sword is transcendental. If you let the sword speak to you, the heft disappears, the balance comes forth and you participate with the sword.
    Here is a wonderful NOVA docu about just such a sword: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/secrets-viking-sword.html
    And here is the fella that built the sword: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/secrets-viking-sword.html

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