Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - true or false: most viking blades where frankish

Pukka Bundook · 29th September 2008, 03:21 PM

Jeff,

I haven't had time yet to read your links, (computer's Slow!) but just wanted to say that If Norse blades were imported, as it is generally believed, and If English blades were also imported as many believe, then the source of supply for these blades appears to have been initially different.

To quote H. E Davidson;

"So far, no pattern -welded blades from Scandanavia have appeared which are as early in date as the earliest Anglo-Saxon and continental finds."
(Sword in A-S England, p31)

Since not much evidence has been forthcoming for blades being made in England, (Unless that's what your link is about Jeff!)
It would seem that English blades were mostly "Frankish" but of a higher quality than those "exported" to Scandanavia.

Speaking of the pattern-welded sword from Eley fields, Myron pointed out;

I do not know of finer smiths' work any-where at any time"
(Davidson, p 29)

So, as a recap, it seems if norse blades were imported, the source was somewht different to that of A-Saxon England, at least in the earlier period.

Please forgive me not going to your link yet!
I will, ...and might have to revise my post accordingly!

Best wishes,

Richard.

29th September 2008, 03:21 PM	#13
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Jeff, I haven't had time yet to read your links, (computer's Slow!) but just wanted to say that If Norse blades were imported, as it is generally believed, and If English blades were also imported as many believe, then the source of supply for these blades appears to have been initially different. To quote H. E Davidson; "So far, no pattern -welded blades from Scandanavia have appeared which are as early in date as the earliest Anglo-Saxon and continental finds." (Sword in A-S England, p31) Since not much evidence has been forthcoming for blades being made in England, (Unless that's what your link is about Jeff!) It would seem that English blades were mostly "Frankish" but of a higher quality than those "exported" to Scandanavia. Speaking of the pattern-welded sword from Eley fields, Myron pointed out; I do not know of finer smiths' work any-where at any time" (Davidson, p 29) So, as a recap, it seems if norse blades were imported, the source was somewht different to that of A-Saxon England, at least in the earlier period. Please forgive me not going to your link yet! I will, ...and might have to revise my post accordingly! Best wishes, Richard.