Swords of the Viking Age [Hardcover]

Ian Peirce (Author), Ewart Oakeshott (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 11, 2004

This new work fills a vacuum in English language studies of the swords made and used in northern Europe during the Viking Age, from the mid-eighth through to the mid-eleventh century. Given the mission of seeking out the best representative examples of the broad diversity of sword types surviving from this time, Ian Peirce, lecturer and museum consultant, travelled to museums of northern Europe and, from the hundreds of swords he handled, selected some sixty examples. While a few of these swords will be well known from inclusion in previous publications but are too important to omit, the majority are rarely seen or newly shown here. Where possible, a full-length photograph and photographs of details have been included for each example, with the illustrations and descriptions of most of the swords covering two facing pages. Eight pages of colour illustrations are included, three of which are reproductions from Lorange's unsurpassed lithographs of 1889. A brief illustrated overview of blade types and construction, pattern-welding, inscriptions and handle forms and their classification under Jan Petersen's classification is included as an introduction to the catalogue of examples which forms the bulk of this work. IAN PEIRCE, engineer, armourer and weaponsmith, has staged major exhibitions of armour and weapons in England, France and Ireland, and written and lectured extensively on arms and armour, on the Norman Conquest and on the Vikings. EWART OAKESHOTT was a world-renowned expert in sword studies, and the deviser of a comprehensive typology of medieval swords which has been instrumental in the development of sword scholarship. His books include Records of the Medieval Sword, The Sword in the Age of Chivalry and European Weapons and Armour.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An important and welcome book. I cannot imagine that there will be a better book published in English on this subject for a long time. PAUL MORTIMER, WITHOWINDE Undoubtedly destined to become a standard reference for blade fanciers and re-enactors. MEDIEVAL HISTORY

About the Author

IAN PEIRCE, engineer, armourer and weaponsmith, has staged major exhibitions of armour and weapons in England, France and Ireland, and written and lectured extensively on arms and armour, on the Norman Conquest and on the Vikings. EWART OAKESHOTT is the grand old man of sword studies, and deviser of a comprehensive typology of medieval swords which has been instrumental in the development of sword scholarship. His books include Records of the Medieval Sword, The Sword in the Age of Chivalry and European Weapons and Armour.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: Boydell Press (March 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0851159141
• ISBN-13: 978-0851159140
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,598,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding-a must for any student of Viking arms & armour!, February 5, 2003

By 

Charles Gadda (People's Democratic Republic of Kalifornia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Swords of the Viking Age (Hardcover)

This book has a wealth of information on what is otherwise a very inaccessible topic, at least in English (most books touching on Viking Age swords are often in German, Norwegian, or Swedish, which is less than helpful). Not only are the different hilt styles detailed, but there is information on blade types and pattern welded construction, not to mention the numerous colour and b&w illustrations. Finally, unlike just about every other book on the subject of swords, this actually gives important measurements; not merely length but point of balance (or center of gravity), as well.

There are a couple of minor flaws. For one, they do not discuss in as much detail as I would like the fact the pommel construction of the Norse swords (actually, an upper guard and a pommel cap), though they do mention it and at least give some inkling as to which types usually used this feature. The more serious problem is the lack of weight measurements. While not practical for more seriously damaged specimens, there was no reason not to include such for the majority of intact swords that are profiled in the book.

Other than that, an outstanding contribution to this subject. The beautiful cover picture is itself worth the ..price tag; indeed, this book would be a bargain at twice the price! I cannot emphasise enough: if you are at all interested in Norse arms & armour, you ***NEED*** this book. Period. It is not an option....

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars viking sword classification for the sword collector, November 22, 2008

By 

S. Sharp (Intermountain West, Utah) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Swords of the Viking Age (Paperback)

This book is an absolute must have for anyone interested in Viking swords and sword collecting.