A-viking!
Entry posted by Pertinax
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For once I report to you on a non-Roman event. There was a small Norse re-enactment unit attached to a larger Civil War (English) event nearby , so I went in search of interesting items and weapons .
There was a selection of goods and weapons on show.
I have firstly, posted a Northman in general undress with everyday kit , were he to fight a padded jerkin would be neded under a coat of chain mail.This is a man of high status and thus his equipment is of superior finish.
http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...si&img=1388
Secondly we see detail of his high quality ornamentation (from a Norwegian find).
http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...si&img=1390
Thirdly we see the small "pocket version" general use scramseaxe, this version not being the more familiar "broken backed" design.
http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...si&img=1395
In this image the use of the small axe to hamstring (or seek other peripheral weak points ) is demonstrated, note that the man nearest the camera is carrying a full fighting seax.This figure is also kitted with a very high quality helmet.
http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...si&img=1391
Image six , the familiar double edged longsword for hacking.This is a wealthy warrior, the helmet is of the best quality.A lot of low status men would have had to risk fighting bareheaded and getting a "pommelling" with the butt of the longsword.
http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...si&img=1394
Image seven, a less familiar single edged Norwegian blade.This is another copy from a norse hoard.
http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...si&img=1393
Image eight,the heavy Dane axe of the Norse and the Huscarl ,Anglo-Saxon Hearth troops.Capable of cutting through horse and man.The specialised weapon of the best troops.
http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...si&img=1387
Finally an axe fight (though not in full armour).
http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...si&img=1386
The object is to maim by cutting through the collar bone , or seek out peripheral targets such as the hamstrings.
My main observation here is one I have considerd in the "Celtic Swords" section, individuals and retinues of powerful Jarls had good weapons and an organised/dedicated fighting band, however the commonplace warrior had little enough equipment and protective gear.One cannot help but feel a retrograde step has been taken watching the , therefore needful, emphasis on "individual" combat technique. I do not discount the skaldaberg as a steady shield wall strategy , but the swine array seems merely to be a re-invention of roman assault tactics.
There is an off site upload here as usual , with a few more shots of ephemera.(the gallery is "The Vikings!"
http://triclinium.spaces.live.com/
post scriptum! A rather fine shield painting:
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