Viking sword program on NOVA

fernando · 10th October 2012, 01:53 PM

Great material Ric !
Let's copy this thread to the European Armoury section ... if you don't mind.

Rich · 11th October 2012, 12:31 PM

I saw the program last night on NOVA. Great program and great work by Richard. Do you have a pic of the finished/mounted sword you made? The program is a must for anyone interested in Viking swords.

Rich S

-------------------------------------------------------
Richard Stein, PhD

Nordic Knives and Knife Links
http://home.earthlink.net/~rsblade/nordic.htm

Japanese Sword Guide
http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm

"Never go anywhere without a knife"
- Leroy Jethro Gibbs
-------------------------------------------------------

fearn · 11th October 2012, 03:32 PM

It looks like the program is available online at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient...ing-sword.html

Best,

F

kronckew · 11th October 2012, 05:18 PM

sadly, comes up as 'video not available'. maybe it will find it's way to youtube

fearn · 11th October 2012, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

sadly, comes up as 'video not available'. maybe it will find it's way to youtube

Let's try this again, and see if I can make it not automatically truncate: htt(ADD P COLON HERE AFTER COPYING)//www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/secrets-viking-sword.html or link. That seems to prevent the board program from automatically truncating a URL. Sorry about that.

Almatolmen · 12th October 2012, 08:15 AM

Excellent job, Richard! Brilliant!
During the program we were told that only 170 Ulfberht swords have been identified, with perhaps only a fraction of them being authentic and not period counterfeit knock-offs. It was said that most had been found either in water or among grave goods. My first question is whether, since these were upscale swords, any of those in burials have an identified owner?
Second, The possible origin of the name Ulfberht was discussed and it was identified as Frankish. Do we have any documentary record of ANY Franks in Viking lands during this period. If so, what were they? Slaves, captives, hostages, outlaws, or exiles? One theory could be that the original Ulfberht was a smith in one of those categories, maybe not starting his labour as a volunteer. Eventually he could have put down roots and began a school or dynasty of swordmakers.
And last, I was interested in the part dealing with the interaction of swords and shields. I have a special interest in shields since part of my surname means "shield". I've not found much luck finding information about ancient or medieval Germanic shields compared to other weaponry. I'm also interested in shield myth and folklore since the other part of my name means "fortune" or "good luck". Can anybody recommend sources of information to me?

Rich · 12th October 2012, 05:21 PM

Question for Richard or anyone.

Isn't crucible steel (like the Viking blade) basically the same as wootz?

Thanks
Rich

12th October 2012, 08:15 AM	#6
Almatolmen Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 1	A Few Questions Excellent job, Richard! Brilliant! During the program we were told that only 170 Ulfberht swords have been identified, with perhaps only a fraction of them being authentic and not period counterfeit knock-offs. It was said that most had been found either in water or among grave goods. My first question is whether, since these were upscale swords, any of those in burials have an identified owner? Second, The possible origin of the name Ulfberht was discussed and it was identified as Frankish. Do we have any documentary record of ANY Franks in Viking lands during this period. If so, what were they? Slaves, captives, hostages, outlaws, or exiles? One theory could be that the original Ulfberht was a smith in one of those categories, maybe not starting his labour as a volunteer. Eventually he could have put down roots and began a school or dynasty of swordmakers. And last, I was interested in the part dealing with the interaction of swords and shields. I have a special interest in shields since part of my surname means "shield". I've not found much luck finding information about ancient or medieval Germanic shields compared to other weaponry. I'm also interested in shield myth and folklore since the other part of my name means "fortune" or "good luck". Can anybody recommend sources of information to me?

10th October 2012, 01:53 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Great material Ric ! Let's copy this thread to the European Armoury section ... if you don't mind.

11th October 2012, 12:31 PM	#2
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	I saw the program last night on NOVA. Great program and great work by Richard. Do you have a pic of the finished/mounted sword you made? The program is a must for anyone interested in Viking swords. Rich S ------------------------------------------------------- Richard Stein, PhD Nordic Knives and Knife Links http://home.earthlink.net/~rsblade/nordic.htm Japanese Sword Guide http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm "Never go anywhere without a knife" - Leroy Jethro Gibbs -------------------------------------------------------

11th October 2012, 03:32 PM	#3
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	It looks like the program is available online at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient...ing-sword.html Best, F

11th October 2012, 05:18 PM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,216	sadly, comes up as 'video not available'. maybe it will find it's way to youtube

12th October 2012, 05:21 PM	#7
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	Question for Richard or anyone. Isn't crucible steel (like the Viking blade) basically the same as wootz? Thanks Rich