Vikinswords in Finland

Snowman · 23rd January 2019, 11:12 AM

Following text borroved from mr. Vanhatalo,Finland:

"The swordsman, from the current point of view, was in the seam of the ages - the prehistoric iron age and the crusade were about to end and the Middle Ages begin. Society with its taxes and churches had begun to take shape.

Time cannot be said to be peaceful: Sweden became a crusader and a fighter from Novgorod to the present Russian territory, Vanhatalo says.

The soldier was buried in a Christian way in the east-west direction, and in the longer sword there was a cross image and a Bene-text, which, according to the Old House, refers to Benedict, the name of the Pope.

The rare finding is located near the Hakoinen Castle Mountain, and Vanhatalo thinks that the soldier may well have belonged to the village defending army, where the crowd was gathered if necessary. However, this is difficult to know because there were no clues around the tomb beyond the third sword.

Victrix · 23rd January 2019, 12:58 PM

It’s a very exciting find indeed! I love this transitional time period when nation states (if you can call them that) or kingdoms start to take their shapes and forms.

Pukka Bundook · 25th January 2019, 02:49 PM

I agree with Victrix, Very interesting!

Thank you for posting this, Markku!

Richard.

Victrix · 3rd February 2019, 10:21 AM

I’m currently reading Sword in Hand (2000) by Ewart Oakeshott (highly recommended!). It has a reference to Dr Jorma Leppaaho of the University of Helsinki who researched findings of viking and early knightly swords in Finland in the 1960s. Oakeshott wrote ”It is unfortunate that most of the swords in these graves are broken... a lot of their hilts are in outstandingly good condition while the blades have perished or deliberately been broken.”

Also I found by chance a book by Mikko Moilanen (mentioned by Markku in his original post) called Marks of Fire, Value and Faith (2015) about swords found in Finland. Seems to be a treasure trove of information available for those interested.

Snowman · 3rd February 2019, 11:32 AM

Hi!

I just read that book of Moilanen. He is very good ironsmith too-
makes swords with origanal thecnics and use materials of
"old days"...

Fine book of vikingswords..how they are made..and used...And
why here in Finland is found so many that type of swords.

regards Markku

Lee · 3rd February 2019, 03:19 PM

Please note that Dr. Moilanen's thesis is available as a free pdf download from the university where he received his degree. Strongly recommended!

3rd February 2019, 10:21 AM	#4
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 682	I’m currently reading Sword in Hand (2000) by Ewart Oakeshott (highly recommended!). It has a reference to Dr Jorma Leppaaho of the University of Helsinki who researched findings of viking and early knightly swords in Finland in the 1960s. Oakeshott wrote ”It is unfortunate that most of the swords in these graves are broken... a lot of their hilts are in outstandingly good condition while the blades have perished or deliberately been broken.” Also I found by chance a book by Mikko Moilanen (mentioned by Markku in his original post) called Marks of Fire, Value and Faith (2015) about swords found in Finland. Seems to be a treasure trove of information available for those interested. Last edited by Victrix; 3rd February 2019 at 11:20 AM.

3rd February 2019, 03:19 PM	#6
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 898	Strongly recommended Please note that Dr. Moilanen's thesis is available as a free pdf download from the university where he received his degree. Strongly recommended!

23rd January 2019, 11:12 AM	#1
Snowman Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 37	Following text borroved from mr. Vanhatalo,Finland: "The swordsman, from the current point of view, was in the seam of the ages - the prehistoric iron age and the crusade were about to end and the Middle Ages begin. Society with its taxes and churches had begun to take shape. Time cannot be said to be peaceful: Sweden became a crusader and a fighter from Novgorod to the present Russian territory, Vanhatalo says. The soldier was buried in a Christian way in the east-west direction, and in the longer sword there was a cross image and a Bene-text, which, according to the Old House, refers to Benedict, the name of the Pope. The rare finding is located near the Hakoinen Castle Mountain, and Vanhatalo thinks that the soldier may well have belonged to the village defending army, where the crowd was gathered if necessary. However, this is difficult to know because there were no clues around the tomb beyond the third sword.

23rd January 2019, 12:58 PM	#2
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 682	It’s a very exciting find indeed! I love this transitional time period when nation states (if you can call them that) or kingdoms start to take their shapes and forms.

25th January 2019, 02:49 PM	#3
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	I agree with Victrix, Very interesting! Thank you for posting this, Markku! Richard.

3rd February 2019, 11:32 AM	#5
Snowman Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 37	Hi! I just read that book of Moilanen. He is very good ironsmith too- makes swords with origanal thecnics and use materials of "old days"... Fine book of vikingswords..how they are made..and used...And why here in Finland is found so many that type of swords. regards Markku