Sword of the Month by Medieval Collectibles

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There are a lot of swords out there. History has given us countless examples to follow when it comes to building blades, and many have histories and stories behind them that most unaware of. Our solution to that is this - our Sword of the Month newsletter! Designed to educate and inform, this newsletter will give you the run-down on some of history's incredible swords, both factual and fiction We will give you a close-up of some of the deadliest weapons to grace the battlefield; before we are done you will not only know what the sword looks like, but where it came from, what battles it might have fought in, what the sword can do (in the case of blades from myth and legend), and more! So sit back, sword aficionados, and enjoy some facts about one of the many blades that helped to make history! Sincerely, Medieval Collectibles Even today, there are styles of sword that many are at least somewhat familiar with. For example, few would not be able to recognize a gladius or a rapier, even if they do not know the technical name, due to their popularity on television and in museums. One such weapon, the Viking Sword, is our focus today. What defines a Viking Sword? First and foremost, Viking Swords are traditionally attributed to the Vikings - a broad umbrella term that is often applied to various groups of Scandinavian origin including those from present-day Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. The Viking Sword is also usually typified by a strong, sturdy blade built for cutting and slashing often times set with a wide fuller that ran the full length of the blade. Another common feature was the hilt style and length. Most Viking swords were designed for one-handed use and featured short hilts to match that design. They also feature narrow guards and distinctive pommels, usually in the lobed, triangular, or cocked hat styles. But what of the history of the sword? The first sword to resemble a Viking sword in history was the Roman Spatha. Based on the gladius, the spatha was longer, because it was originally designed to be used on horseback. From the spatha, the Migration era sword was developed - the forerunner to the modern Viking sword. Migration era swords were most often pattern welded with ornate hilts made from valuable materials. They made for impressive sights to see with carved hilts and handles encrusted with jewels, but were often weaker weapons than most warriors would have preferred. The Viking sword we know and love evolved out of the Migration era sword. As trade routes improved and the Vikings made use of better techniques and better materials, so too did the sword improve. Better steel improved blade quality, and the rounded tips of the Migration era sword gave way to the finer thrusting points of the Viking sword. Sword blades continued to be wide and powerful. The broad, singular fuller remained in early Viking swords, but gradually gave way to multiple narrow fullers. Guards and pommels shed their jewels and carvings, and instead became decorated with brass, bronze, silver, and other fine metal inlays, which effectively created weapons that had all the visual appeal of their forerunners, with the addition of greater strength and resilience. Among Viking swords, one name particularly deserves special mention: Ulfberht. Among the thousands of Viking swords discovered today, 171 of them are signed Ulfberht. Some debate exists as to the origin of this term. Whether it is a name, a maker, or a brand is not an issue we will address. Instead, we focus on the quality of the weapon itself. Some of these rare blades are made using remarkably high quality steel for their age. Unusually high carbon content made them exceptionally flexible and strong. Such is their strength that they are far superior even to more traditional Viking swords of the era! One theory suggests that these weapons were made using crucible steel acquired on trade routes by Vikings in Central Asia. However they were made, an Ulfberht sword would have been a prized possession and a deadly blade that offered superior overall performance in battle. While spears and axes were more prevalent as weapons due to the small amount of metal used to construct them and ease of repair, the sword still remained a significant element of the Viking culture. Some were passed down through family lines, while others were presented to a bride and groom as wedding gifts. Many more were buried with the warriors who used them, to honor the wielder in death. Sometimes these buried blades were symbolically bent or broken, effectively "killing" the sword alongside the wielder. Alternatively, they were left whole and occasionally reclaimed by descendants for wedding rituals or other ceremonies. And of course, even if they were not always the first choice of weapon, many more saw use in battle when it came time to honor the gods with deeds of valor and combat. A pair of interesting notes will wrap up this brief history on the Viking Sword. Even though they are often called "Viking Swords", these styles of swords were not exclusive to the Vikings. In fact, many cultures favored swords of a similar shape - the Vikings were just the most predominant group who wielded them. The Viking sword would continue to evolve, its design changing as the guard expanded and the pommel contracted, until it became the arming sword that knights were so famous for wielding in the Medieval Era. And now, we give you Viking swords that best exemplify the style of these iconic blades. Viking Era Swords View All: Viking Swords Damascus Viking Sword View Item Godfred Sword View Item 11th Century Viking Sword View Item Olso Viking Sword View Item Hersir Viking Broad Sword View Item Viking Sword View Item Help Box Contact Us My Account FAQ's Shipping Info New Items Best Sellers Popular Categories Functional Swords LARP Weapons Daggers Chainmail Leather Belts & Baldrics Game of Thrones What's New Medieval Goblets Journals & Notebooks Unique Fantasy Jewelry Folding Knives Gothic Clothing Home Decor & Gifts

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