Were Norsemen Tattooed? Evidence of Ink on the Rugged Rusiyyah.Vikings Brutally Slain in 750 AD May Have Been on a Peaceful Mission.The bearded axe was not used only in battle, as it was also used for wood-working, the chopping of wood, and the harvesting of timber. The ‘beard’ could be utilized to hook an enemy’s weapon or shield, thus giving its wielder an advantage during combat. The distinguishing feature of the bearded axe, however, is its ‘beard’, which is a square-shaped projection at the bottom of the axe head. Unlike the Dane axe, such axes could be wielded with one hand. ( Public Domain )Īnother type of Viking axe is the bearded axe. Harold was struck in the eye with an arrow (left), slain by a mounted Norman knight (right) or both. The head of the axe, which has a cutting edge of 20 to 30 cm (7.87 – 11.81 inches), is mounted on a haft that measured between 0.9 and 1.2 meters (2.95-3.94 ft.) The Dane axe is perhaps most famous for its use by the huscarls (household troops) of King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 AD and is depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry. The Dane axe is a two-handed weapon and was used exclusively for battle. One of these is the Dane axe, which is also known as the English long axe, the Danish axe, and the hafted axe. Viking axes came in various shapes and sizes and were known by different names. Thus, even the poorest Norseman could have afforded an axe. Due to these factors, the axe was much more affordable, and more readily available. Compared to the other famous Viking weapon, the sword, Viking axes required less skill to make, as well as much less iron and steel, which are expensive commodities. The axe heads would then be attached to a wooden haft, the length of which varied according to the weapon itself. Saxo-Norman/Viking Iron & Copper alloy Battle Axe (11th Century), from battle by the River Thames, London, England. In some cases, a hardened steel edge was added through welding to provide a sharper cutting edge. Typically, these axe heads were made using iron. The design of this weapon was perfected, and stone was replaced by metal as the material used to make the axe heads. Over the millennia, the peoples of Scandinavia became masters of axe-making.
(Sandivas/ CC BY SA 3.0) Making a Viking Axe So-called “battle-axe” (Streitaxe) or boat axe of Swedish-Norwegian type, 2800-2400 BC.
Examination of 1,000-Year-Old Viking ‘Death House’ Reveals Elite Burial with Stunning Artifacts.Discovered: Thor's Shattered Viking Army and their Sacred Hammer of the Gods.First Genetic Proof of a Viking Age Warrior Woman is Identified from an Iconic Swedish Grave.Thus, it may be said that the tradition of using axes by the Vikings stretches further back into the Stone Age. This culture derived its name from the over 3000 Viking battle axes, which were made from ground stone, and have a boat-like shape, that have been found in the areas it settled in. In the Scandinavian areas where this culture was present, a sub-group known as the Battle Axe Culture or Boat Axe Culture emerged around 2800 BC. Stamps showing ‘Everyday Life in the Viking Age.’ ( Public Domain ) The Battle Axe Culture and Boat Axe Cultureīefore going further into the subject of Viking axes, it’s worth noting that during the Stone Age, the areas occupied by the Norse during the Viking Age were part of the Corded Ware Culture. Some, for instance, were employed for ceremonial purposes, whilst others took on a more domestic function.
Whilst Viking axes were primarily used for combat purposes, it is known that they were also utilized for other less violent purposes. Amongst the best-known Viking axes are the Dane axe and the bearded axe. Viking axe is an umbrella term used to describe several different types of axes that were used by the Vikings during the Viking Age. When you think of a fearless Viking wielding a weapon, what do you imagine? A sharp, heavy sword used to slice through enemy lines? Or perhaps a massive, battle-stained axe which hacked out the warrior’s path? It may surprise you to know that Viking weapons were not just tools for combat – the hardened steel of an axe, for example, was used for various purposes and came in more than one shape and size.
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