The Other Objects of Interest
Swords were the only prestigious weapons made by the early Anglo-Saxons specifically for fights.[1] Therefore, this type of iron pattern-welded sword used by Anglo-Saxons in the 7th century[2] would show up during the defend of Grendel’s attacks. The exhibit was found in Buckland Anglo Saxon Cemetary in England. It now appears to be broken into two pieces probably due to the corrosion, which are the remains of wooden grip and T-shaped pommel[3]. The blade's length is 75 centimetres, and that of the grip and pommel is 12 centimetres.[4] It was made with the typical practice of pattern-welding in that society: twisting, combining, and reheating iron of high-carbon and of low-carbon together to make a strong and flexible sword.[5]
For further knowledge of early Anglo Saxon swords, please click the link below to watch a Youtube video:
Sue's Favourite Anglo-Saxon Sword I Curator's Corner Season 4 Episode, by British Museum.
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[1] The British Museum, Sue's Favourite Anglo-Saxon Sword I Curator's Corner Season 4 Episode, Youtube. https://youtu.be/uIFpeBwfvbc.
[2] Iron Pattern Welded Sword, The British Museum, https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=65146&partId=1&searchText=pattern+welded+sword&page=1.
[5] Professor Alexandra Bolintineanu introduces this technology of making a pattern-welded sword in class.
The unglazed earthenware vessel which applied the technology of early Medieval European pottery making and might have been used at the feast when Grendel was about to attack. The Royal Ontario Museum clarifies that the early Medieval earthenware is unglazed. It was said to be a soft, porous, opaque pottery fired at a relatively low temperature of 800-1000ºC. Imagine the isolated Grendel was watching people pouring some drink from this pottery to their containers when they were enjoying food and praising God. Their joyful moments contrasted his loneliness and bitterness day by day. Finally, Grendel started his killing and destroyed the feast. The pottery fell on the ground, broken, as being fragile as human's lives.