true or false: most viking blades where frankish

Jeff Pringle · 29th September 2008, 06:39 AM

I think much of the older ideas on this subject are being overwritten, but with a hefty grant one could compare trace element analyses of metal and slag inclusions (via non-invasive XRF or similar) between swords and smelting sites, and get a rather definitive answer.
These two papers are just the tip of the current research iceberg:

Indigenous and imported Viking Age weapons in Norway, a problem with European implications
Martens, Irmelin
http://www.archaeometry.dk/Jern/Mart...plications.pdf

The Vlfberht sword blades reevaluated
ANNE STALSBERG
http://jenny-rita.org/Annestamanus.pdf

Pukka Bundook · 29th September 2008, 04:21 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.

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29th September 2008, 06:39 AM	#1
Jeff Pringle Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 189	I think much of the older ideas on this subject are being overwritten, but with a hefty grant one could compare trace element analyses of metal and slag inclusions (via non-invasive XRF or similar) between swords and smelting sites, and get a rather definitive answer. These two papers are just the tip of the current research iceberg: Indigenous and imported Viking Age weapons in Norway, a problem with European implications Martens, Irmelin http://www.archaeometry.dk/Jern/Mart...plications.pdf The Vlfberht sword blades reevaluated ANNE STALSBERG http://jenny-rita.org/Annestamanus.pdf

29th September 2008, 04:21 PM	#2
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.