|
Post by kemp on Jun 14, 2023 7:17:43 GMT -5
I have also read elsewhere that the Viking blades were passed on as heirlooms, passed to heirs along with other property. Matt Easton makes the important point from his reading of the sagas that Viking swords were also used for defence/parry on occasion, for example when the shield was broken, and the use of spears that can pierce through the lighter shields. Note the specific details of fights not only of individuals but groups of warriors setting upon other groups of men in bloody combat, that the prime targets of someone holding a shield are the somewhat exposed head and legs, interesting to note, which in turn creates a certain body stance where you try to hold your head back in attack and defence. Of course if you are attacking the legs, you may raise the shield for defence and use your sword arm to attack your adversaries legs, noted by Matt, a move that might be a little too exposed and risky without a shield. The sagas, not withstanding that many of them tell of legendary accounts, still describe the devastating cutting power of these blades, ones that bend and break, but also ones of excellent quality that held up better, a testament to the skill of the great Viking smiths that forged blades such as the famous Ingelrii swords made from intricate welded strips of hardenable steel and softer iron to create a weapon that could cut and hold a good edge, but still be tough enough to withstand breaking too easily. Liked the reference to pattern welding being 'the serpent in the blade' as well, and the idea of named swords having their own kind of spirit. The spear with a blade an ell in length he referred to is the altgeir, variously translated as long spear or halberd. It was Gunnar of Hlidarend's (Njal's Saga) favourite weapon which he first liberated from one of a pair of pirate brothers early in his life and kept ever after. You know your Icelandic saga well.
|
|
|
Post by Von K on Jun 14, 2023 17:10:31 GMT -5
Liked the reference to pattern welding being 'the serpent in the blade' as well, and the idea of named swords having their own kind of spirit. The spear with a blade an ell in length he referred to is the altgeir, variously translated as long spear or halberd. It was Gunnar of Hlidarend's (Njal's Saga) favourite weapon which he first liberated from one of a pair of pirate brothers early in his life and kept ever after. You know your Icelandic saga well. There's a detailed breakdown of Icelandic Saga polearms here: www.docdroid.net/B8B7iJk/beitrag-pdfIt's a bit heavy for casual reading though I'd imagine Matt would enjoy the statistics etc. Needless to say Gunnar pulls off some incredible feats with one if the accounts are not romanticised to border on almost legendry by the time they were written down.
|
|
|
Post by kemp on Jun 15, 2023 20:55:31 GMT -5
That link is a great reference to Viking style polearms. It's comprehensive, had a look, but did not read all of it, mostly the comparisons. Seems that the Viking swords get most the limelight, but in reality axes and spears would have been more common, perhaps due to the greater ease in manufacture, also the cost, especially when we are talking about spears.
|
|
|
Post by Von K on Jun 17, 2023 14:11:59 GMT -5
That link is a great reference to Viking style polearms. It's comprehensive, had a look, but did not read all of it, mostly the comparisons. Seems that the Viking swords get most the limelight, but in reality axes and spears would have been more common, perhaps due to the greater ease in manufacture, also the cost, especially when we are talking about spears. Yeah I think you're right kemp about swords being mainly the preserve of the wealthier warriors with the exception of those few who obtained one as a gift for good service or as plunder from raiding or war. Scramasax, axes and spears being far more common.
|
|
|
Post by Von K on Dec 19, 2023 22:04:41 GMT -5
The Icelandic VIKING SAGAS !!!
Great vid. Grammaticus cites Egil Skallagrimson as a major influence on KEW's Kane, which I thought was an apt observation - in addition to the saga's influence on S+S and fantasy fiction in general. For some reason he doesn't cover Grettir's saga.
|
|