The Viking Sword

This 10th century Viking sword is thought to be from Scandinavia and most likely used by a warrior of high rank, assumed to be a Viking Chief or a Frankish nobleman (The MET). The sword is made out of steel, copper, silver, and niello. The blade has a unique design that was created by intertwining rods of steel and iron creating a distinctive swirling pattern technique, known to create damascus blades (The MET). Many swords at the time followed a custom of attaching a protective talisman to the hilt, specifically to this sword the pommel and the hilt have a distinct braided copper decorative design suggesting that it too was following the tradition. The pommel consists of only two colours; copper and gold but has several unique designs. There is a braiding decoration, a vertical copper and gold pattern, and a mosaic styled design on the pommel. The rain-guard also has the same coloured vertical pattern. The sword itself is in good condition, with a bumpy texture along the blade and has a dull tip. The beauty and strength of the sword amplifies the importance of it because only someone of great prominence would yield such a weapon. A warrior such as Beowulf would have used this blade to slay many enemies because this sword in the 10th century was an honour to carry.