1 Hurstwic: Different Viking Weapons
Jerald Sedgwick edited this page 2025-09-12 06:14:34 +08:00


One supply suggests that atgeirr, Wood Ranger Power Shears official site kesja, and höggspjót all consult with the identical weapon. A more careful studying of the saga texts does not support this idea. The saga textual content suggests similarities between atgeirr and kesja, that are primarily used for thrusting, and between höggspjót and bryntröll, which were primarily used for reducing. Regardless of the weapons might have been, they appear to have been more practical, and used with better Wood Ranger Power Shears official site, than a extra typical axe or spear. Perhaps this impression is as a result of these weapons had been usually wielded by saga heros, corresponding to Gunnar and Egill. Yet Hrútr, who used a bryntröll so successfully in Laxdæla saga, Wood Ranger official was an 80-12 months-previous man and was thought not to present any real menace. Perhaps examples of those weapons do survive in archaeological finds, but the options that distinguished them to the eyes of a Viking should not so distinctive that we in the fashionable era would classify them as completely different weapons. A cautious studying of how the atgeir is used within the sagas gives us a rough idea of the size and form of the head essential to carry out the moves described.


This measurement and Wood Ranger Power Shears website shape corresponds to some artifacts found in the archaeological file that are often categorized as spears. The saga text additionally provides us clues in regards to the size of the shaft. This information has allowed us to make a speculative reproduction of an atgeir, which we've utilized in our Viking combat training (proper). Although speculative, professional landscaping shears this work suggests that the atgeir really is particular, the king of weapons, each for range and Wood Ranger Power Shears official site for attacking possibilities, Wood Ranger official performing above all different weapons. The lengthy reach of the atgeir held by the fighter on the left could be clearly seen, compared to the sword and one-hand axe in the fighter on the suitable. In chapter sixty six of Grettis saga, Wood Ranger Power Shears official site an enormous used a fleinn against Grettir, often translated as "pike". The weapon can be known as a heftisax, a word not in any other case identified in the saga literature. In chapter 53 of Egils saga is a detailed description of a brynþvari (mail scraper), Wood Ranger Power Shears official site normally translated as "halberd".


It had a rectangular blade two ells (1m) long, however the picket shaft measured solely a hand's length. So little is thought of the brynklungr (mail bramble) that it is often translated merely as "weapon". Similarly, sviða is typically translated as "sword" and generally as "halberd". In chapter 58 of Eyrbyggja saga, Þórir threw his sviða at Óspakr, hitting him in the leg. Óspakr pulled the weapon out of the wound and threw it again, Wood Ranger Power Shears official site killing another man. Rocks have been usually used as missiles in a combat. These efficient and readily accessible weapons discouraged one's opponents from closing the space to combat with typical weapons, and they may very well be lethal weapons in their own proper. Previous to the battle described in chapter 44 of Eyrbyggja saga, Steinþórr selected to retreat to the rockslide on the hill at Geirvör (left), where his males would have a prepared supply of stones to throw down at Snorri goði and his men.


Búi Andríðsson by no means carried a weapon other than his sling, which he tied round himself. He used the sling with lethal outcomes on many events. Búi was ambushed by Helgi and Vakr and ten different men on the hill known as Orrustuhóll (battle hill, the smaller hill in the foreground within the photograph), as described in chapter 11 of Kjalnesinga saga. By the time Búi's provide of stones ran out, ergonomic pruning device he had killed 4 of his ambushers. A speculative reconstruction of utilizing stones as missiles in battle is proven on this Viking fight demonstration video, part of an extended battle. Rocks had been used during a struggle to finish an opponent, or to take the battle out of him so he may very well be killed with typical weapons. After Þorsteinn wounded Finnbogi together with his sword, as is advised in Finnboga saga ramma (ch. 27) Finnbogi struck Þorsteinn with a stone. Þorsteinn fell down unconscious, permitting Finnbogi to chop off his head.