Viking Spears, Axes and Swords

Viking Spear, Axes, and Swords

        The Viking Age was a time of many battles and raids, where weaponry was an integral part of society. Even non-warrior Vikings were encouraged and expected to have at least a spear to protect themselves from any potential attacks. The use of weapons was extremely widespread, and these weapons even acted as a form of expression for these people. High-quality weapons were used as an expression of wealth and status, and even stood as forms of art. They were expertly crafted with advanced techniques preformed by highly skilled craftsmen. These weapons were essentially an extension of the Vikings’ bodies, hardly ever being separated from their bodies. They were necessary for their lifestyle, and were what allowed Vikings to thrive as much as they did. Of these weapons, the most widely use were spears, axes, and swords were the Viking axes and swords. Each of these weapons served different purposes and were used by different classes of Vikings. While spears were the most common weapons in the Viking Ages, they did not stand as symbol of wealth like swords, and sometimes axes did. Spears, axes, and swords all held a unique and very important role in the development and perpetuation of the Viking ages.

        The most commonly use weapon in the Viking ages was the spear, which was used by everyone, from peasants to elite warriors. Common people were encouraged to always have at least a spear in their vicinity for protection from any possible threats. They were cheap enough that even lowly peasants could afford them, but effective enough that they were one of the most useful tools for raids and battles. Spears in this time period were most typically designed for thrusting in order to extend the range of the Viking warrior, but were also used for throwing to even further extend their reach. The spearheads were typically made of iron, and while most were simple made for functionality, some of the spearheads that have been found were both welded in a decorative manner and covered in intricate silver and copper designs. The spearheads themselves were typically leaf-shaped, with either rounded or angular wings, which were sometimes used as barbs to increase the fatality of impalements. These heads were attached to wooden shafts, as long as two meters, with rivets, sometimes in a decorative fashion. While some of these spears did have the ornate designs, most were built to be inexpensive and effective (Pederson 2008, 206). According to legend, skilled spearmen were able to accurately throw two spears at once, and even catch an incoming spear and throw it back with fatal force (Ager 2011, Par. 10). The spear was a utilitarian and effective tool that was used by all classes of Vikings, from farmers, to peasants, to elite warriors.

        In terms of the most commonly used Viking weapons, the next step up was the Axe. The axe head required more metal than the spearhead, making it slightly more expensive. However, because of its extreme versatility and the fact that many people used the axe for many purposes other than raids and battles, the axe would commonly be seen in the hands of even the poorest Vikings. The axe was perfect for the necessary tasks of cutting and splitting wood, as well as many other common farm tasks. As for axes used in battles, they were extremely common Viking weapons that were utilized in much the same way that swords were. The axe is perhaps the weapon most commonly associated with Vikings, and really was an important part of their arsenal. Axes in this age, however, were not as large as many people imagine, but instead were relatively lightweight and typically yielded in just one hand. The smaller axes allowed Vikings to move quickly and with deadly force, while still donning a shield for their protection. These axes were typically wedge-shaped, but the Vikings used a wide variety of different axe head shapes and sizes, and the axes used in battle were designed differently than those intended for farm usage. Some of these axe heads that were made for the affluent Viking warriors were decorated with inlays of precious metals, in order to separate themselves from the common axe wielder. Because of their versatility as tool and effectiveness as a battle weapon, axes were one of the most common pieces of equipment during the Viking age. They were slightly more expensive than a spear, but more imperative in everyday life, and also similarly as effective as a battle weapon. (Hurstwic Nd, “Viking Axe”)