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Hurstwic: other Viking Weapons

by Harris Lett (2025-09-13)

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close-hand-using-cordless-electric-260nwOne source suggests that atgeirr, kesja, and höggspjót all consult with the same weapon. A more careful reading of the saga texts does not assist this concept. The saga textual content suggests similarities between atgeirr and kesja, that are primarily used for thrusting, and between höggspjót and bryntröll, which were primarily used for slicing. Whatever the weapons might need been, they appear to have been simpler, and used with higher Wood Ranger Power Shears shop, than a extra typical axe or spear. Perhaps this impression is as a result of these weapons were sometimes wielded by saga heros, Wood Ranger Power Shears shop equivalent to Gunnar and Egill. Yet Hrútr, who used a bryntröll so successfully in Laxdæla saga, was an 80-year-outdated man and was thought to not current any actual menace. Perhaps examples of those weapons do survive in archaeological finds, however the options that distinguished them to the eyes of a Viking are not so distinctive that we in the trendy period would classify them as different weapons. A careful studying of how the atgeir is used in the sagas gives us a tough thought of the size and form of the pinnacle necessary to carry out the moves described.

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Thoughtful young handsome slavic gardener in uniform and hat keeping hands crossed holding rake looking up isolated on olive green wall with copy spaceThis dimension and form corresponds to some artifacts discovered within the archaeological file that are often categorized as spears. The saga text additionally provides us clues concerning the size of the shaft. This info has allowed us to make a speculative reproduction of an atgeir, which we've got used in our Viking combat coaching (right). Although speculative, this work suggests that the atgeir really is particular, the king of weapons, each for range and for attacking prospects, performing above all different weapons. The long attain of the atgeir held by the fighter on the left will be clearly seen, in comparison with the sword and one-hand axe in the fighter on the suitable. In chapter sixty six of Grettis saga, a giant used a fleinn in opposition to Grettir, often translated as "pike". The weapon can also be known as a heftisax, a phrase not in any other case identified within the saga literature. In chapter fifty three of Egils saga is an in depth description of a brynþvari (mail scraper), normally translated as "halberd".



It had a rectangular blade two ells (1m) lengthy, however the wooden shaft measured solely a hand's size. So little is known of the brynklungr (mail bramble) that it's usually translated merely as "weapon". Similarly, sviða is typically translated as "sword" and typically as "halberd". In chapter 58 of Eyrbyggja saga, Þórir threw his sviða at Óspakr, hitting him in the leg. Óspakr pulled the weapon out of the wound and threw it back, killing one other man. Rocks were often used as missiles in a struggle. These efficient and readily accessible weapons discouraged one's opponents from closing the distance to struggle with standard weapons, and Wood Ranger Power Shears shop Ranger Power Shears specs so they might be lethal weapons in their very own proper. Previous to the battle described in chapter forty four of Eyrbyggja saga, Steinþórr selected to retreat to the rockslide on the hill at Geirvör (left), where his men would have a ready provide of stones to throw down at Snorri goði and his males.



Búi Andríðsson never carried a weapon apart from his sling, which he tied around himself. He used the sling with lethal outcomes on many events. Búi was ambushed by Helgi and Vakr and ten other men on the hill called Orrustuhóll (battle hill, the smaller hill in the foreground in the picture), as described in chapter eleven of Kjalnesinga saga. By the point Búi's provide of stones ran out, he had killed four of his ambushers. A speculative reconstruction of using stones as missiles in battle is shown on this Viking fight demonstration video, part of an extended struggle. Rocks had been used throughout a combat to finish an opponent, or to take the struggle out of him so he may very well be killed with standard weapons. After Þorsteinn wounded Finnbogi with his sword, as is advised in Finnboga saga ramma (ch. 27) Finnbogi struck Þorsteinn with a stone. Þorsteinn fell down unconscious, permitting Finnbogi to chop off his head.



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