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What WEAPONS Did VIKINGS Actually Use?... And some they DIDN'T!

scholagladiatoria・50 minutes read

Vikings used a variety of offensive weapons like swords, spears, and axes, with shields evolving towards the end of the era. The Scholar Gladiator channel debunks myths surrounding Viking weaponry and equipment, highlighting inaccuracies in popular media representations.

Insights

  • Viking swords were crucial symbols of conquest, loyalty, and status, evolving in design from broad single-edged blades to longer guards and tapered blades towards the end of the Viking era, resembling later medieval swords.
  • The spear, the most crucial weapon from ancient to medieval times, came in three main types for Vikings: thrusting, throwing, and hewing spears, with lengths ranging from 6 to 8 feet, showcasing versatility and effectiveness in various combat scenarios.

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Recent questions

  • What were the main offensive weapons used by Vikings?

    Vikings utilized a variety of offensive weapons during the Viking Age, including swords, spears, axes, knives, and other tools for combat. These weapons were crucial in their raids and battles, symbolizing conquest, loyalty, and status within Viking society. Swords, in particular, were highly significant to Vikings, with various types originating from different regions like Scandinavia, England, and the Frankish Empire. The evolution of Viking swords showcased changes in design, guard length, pommel shapes, and blade tapering, leading towards the development of later medieval swords. Additionally, axes were heavily linked to Viking culture, influencing other European countries in the use of axes as mainstream weapons. While spears and swords were more common, axes were popular, especially in Scandinavia, showcasing the diverse array of offensive weapons wielded by Vikings.

  • What were the characteristics of Viking swords?

    Viking swords were often broad with a central fuller, featuring hilts shaped like a capital "I" and varying in length from 27 to 31 inches. Some Viking swords had single edges, particularly popular in Norway, with a hatchet point and a fuller towards the spine. Towards the end of the Viking era, swords started to evolve with longer guards and tapered blades, resembling later medieval swords. The evolution of Viking swords included changes in guard length, pommel shapes, and blade tapering, leading towards the development of later medieval swords. These swords were crucial to Viking warriors, symbolizing their prowess, loyalty, and status within their society.

  • What was the most crucial weapon for Vikings?

    The spear was highlighted as the most crucial weapon for Vikings from ancient to medieval times, including the pike form. Vikings used three main types of spears: thrusting spears, throwing spears, and hewing spears. Thrusting spears had various shapes and lengths, used in conjunction with shields, with lengths estimated based on historical sources and archaeology. Evidence for spear lengths comes from written sources, artwork, and archaeological finds, with spears typically ranging from 6 to 8 feet. Specialized throwing spears like the angon were designed to penetrate shields and hit targets behind them. Hewing spears, possibly originating in the Frankish Empire, featured lugs for defense and offense, allowing for cutting and hooking actions. These spears were versatile and essential weapons for Viking warriors during their raids and battles.

  • What was the significance of axes in Viking culture?

    Axes were heavily linked to Viking culture, showcasing their significance in Viking warfare and daily life. While spears and swords were more common Viking weapons, axes were popular, especially in Scandinavia. Axes became mainstream weapons in Europe due to Scandinavian influence, as seen in historical artifacts like the Bayeux Tapestry. Viking axes included simple flared heads, bearded axes, and two-handed axes like the Daneaxe. These axes were intended for use with shields, offering hooking potential and striking capabilities in battle. Axes were intrinsic to Scandinavian warriors, influencing other European countries in the use of axes as essential weapons during the Viking Age.

  • What type of shields were used by Vikings?

    Shields used by Vikings were typically round, larger than shown, with a boss in the center and a grip, evolving into kite shields towards the end of the era. While the focus of this discussion is on offensive weapons, excluding shields and armor, shields were crucial defensive tools for Viking warriors during battles and raids. The evolution of shields from round designs to kite shields showcased advancements in Viking defensive strategies and combat techniques. These shields provided protection for Viking warriors in various conflicts, complementing their offensive weapons like swords, spears, and axes.

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Summary

00:00

"Viking Weapons: Swords, Spears, Axes, Knives"

  • Vikings used a variety of weapons during the Viking Age, including swords, spears, axes, knives, and other offensive weapons.
  • Shields used by Vikings were typically round, larger than shown, with a boss in the center and a grip, evolving into kite shields towards the end of the era.
  • The focus of this discussion is on offensive weapons, excluding shields and armor.
  • The video is sponsored by Raid Shadow Legends, a popular mobile or PC-based fantasy combat game.
  • Raid Shadow Legends has released a major update, including the Doom Tower with 120 floors and new champions for holiday events.
  • Swords were crucial to Vikings, symbolizing conquest, loyalty, and status, with various types from Scandinavia, England, and the Frankish Empire.
  • Viking swords were often broad, with a central fuller, and hilts shaped like a capital "I," varying in length from 27 to 31 inches.
  • Some Viking swords had single edges, particularly popular in Norway, with a hatchet point and a fuller towards the spine.
  • Towards the end of the Viking era, swords started to evolve with longer guards and tapered blades, resembling later medieval swords.
  • The evolution of Viking swords included changes in guard length, pommel shapes, and blade tapering, leading towards the development of later medieval swords.

14:13

Viking Spears and Axes: A Historical Overview

  • Ian Pierce's book is recommended, with a link provided in the description.
  • The spear is highlighted as the most crucial weapon from ancient to medieval times, including the pike form.
  • Viking activities varied, with raiding parties using shorter, lighter weapons like swords and axes.
  • Three main types of spears used by Vikings: thrusting spears, throwing spears, and hewing spears.
  • Thrusting spears had various shapes and lengths, used with shields, with lengths estimated based on historical sources and archaeology.
  • Evidence for spear lengths comes from written sources, artwork, and archaeological finds, with spears typically ranging from 6 to 8 feet.
  • Specialized throwing spears like the angon were designed to penetrate shields and hit targets behind them.
  • Hewing spears, possibly originating in the Frankish Empire, featured lugs for defense and offense, allowing for cutting and hooking actions.
  • Hewing spears were versatile, potentially used two-handed, and associated with the Vikings along with axes.
  • Axes were heavily linked to the Vikings, even in high fantasy portrayals, showcasing their significance in Viking culture.

28:41

Influence of Viking Axes on European Warfare

  • The fantasy idea of Vikings, with horned helmets and axes, heavily influences popular culture.
  • While spears and swords were more common Viking weapons, axes were popular, especially in Scandinavia.
  • Axes became mainstream weapons in Europe due to Scandinavian influence, as seen in the Bayeux Tapestry.
  • Harold Godwinson's housecarls used large two-handed axes, known as Daneaxes, brought from Scandinavia.
  • Axes were intrinsic to Scandinavian warriors, influencing other European countries' use of axes.
  • Vikings used various types of axes, often misrepresented in movies and games with fantasy elements.
  • Viking axes included simple flared heads, bearded axes, and two-handed axes like the Daneaxe.
  • Viking axes were intended for use with shields, offering hooking potential and striking capabilities.
  • Bows were also used by Vikings, with longbows being the predominant type, similar to later medieval bows.
  • The sax, a weapon with older origins than the Vikings, was used by them in various forms, evolving over time in different regions.

42:56

Viking Weapons: Myths vs. Reality

  • The sax, a type of knife prevalent in Northern Europe during the Viking era, was not a primary weapon in warfare, but rather a versatile tool for everyday activities, hunting, and self-defense.
  • Contrary to popular portrayals in media, Vikings did not commonly use double-headed axes, with no substantial evidence supporting their existence during the Viking era.
  • Depictions of Vikings wielding two-handed swords in movies and TV shows are historically inaccurate, as one-handed swords were the norm in Northwest Europe during the Viking age.
  • Maces were not commonly used by Vikings in Scandinavia, with their appearance in the region emerging after the Viking era, likely influenced by contact with Eastern Viking cultures.
  • While crossbows did exist during the Viking age in other regions, there is limited evidence of Vikings using them, with most examples found in China and the Byzantine Empire.
  • Complex pole arms, such as halberds or bills, were not prevalent among Vikings, with the winged spear being the most sophisticated pole arm used during that time.
  • The representation of Viking weaponry in popular media, including TV shows and video games, often deviates from historical accuracy, with inaccuracies in armor, equipment, and weapons.
  • The Scholar Gladiator channel aims to provide detailed insights into various historical topics, debunking myths and misconceptions surrounding Viking weaponry and equipment.
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