11th Century Viking Sword – Battle Ready – Deepeeka

The battle-ready version of the 11th Century Viking Sword has a forged blade of EN45 high carbon steel. The crossguard and pommel are mild steel; the grip is wood and tightly bound with a band of spiralled leather. The tang of the sword is securely peened to the pommel.

The sword is paired with a wood-core scabbard wrapped in brown leather and finished with a pair of adjustable, integrated sword hangers of leather with metal buckles.

A sword was unique among weapons in Viking culture; it was the only weapon which did not have a counterpart meant to be used as an everyday tool. The spear could be used to hunt, the axe to chop wood, the seax to cut rope and for farm-hold chores. The sword was different – for the sword existed solely for war and duel.

For this it had a particular reverence in Viking culture and a man who bore one into battle, whether in his hand or at his side marked himself as a successful warrior or nobleman. The great cost to produce and own a sword was not a wise investment for a minor freeman with a farmhold to oversee, but it was a cost gladly borne by the wealthy, or those who knew they would use it. A man with a sword, paired with a fine helmet and perhaps a chainmail byrnie could reasonably be assumed to be a nobleman or the oath-bound warriors of his personal war-retinue, who were well-equipped for battle in exchange for honor-bound service on the battlefield.