Dave Markowitz
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I think Rollo used one in the first episode of season 2.
Vikings! They are back!!!!!!!
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I think Rollo used one in the first episode of season 2.
Nom de Forum
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A matter of perspective and Ax versus Sword
What I find interesting is that if we had Vikings armed with modern weaponry raiding our country in 2014 we would all be far less admiring of their martial ability and motivations.
As far as the use of the ax versus the sword, the ax and ax-like weapons never lost effectiveness as a primary weapon even during the early years of the gunpowder age. The same cannot be said of the sword. Less than three hundred years from the time this series is set, the Saxons would nearly defeat the invading Normans (descendants of Vikings living in northern France) using large two handed axes. The Saxons defeat very nearly did not happen. Perhaps if they had not been fatigued by the long and fast march south after defeating another invading Scandinavian army in the North; they would have maintained better discipline and not have broken their shield wall in pursuit of a Norman feigned retreat. That break from their defensive formation cost the Saxons the battle and ultimately their country. The Normans are presumed to have had the superior weapons and weapon systems, but they still nearly lost to a small core of ax armed professional soldiers supported by variously armed militia.
What I find interesting is that if we had Vikings armed with modern weaponry raiding our country in 2014 we would all be far less admiring of their martial ability and motivations.
As far as the use of the ax versus the sword, the ax and ax-like weapons never lost effectiveness as a primary weapon even during the early years of the gunpowder age. The same cannot be said of the sword. Less than three hundred years from the time this series is set, the Saxons would nearly defeat the invading Normans (descendants of Vikings living in northern France) using large two handed axes. The Saxons defeat very nearly did not happen. Perhaps if they had not been fatigued by the long and fast march south after defeating another invading Scandinavian army in the North; they would have maintained better discipline and not have broken their shield wall in pursuit of a Norman feigned retreat. That break from their defensive formation cost the Saxons the battle and ultimately their country. The Normans are presumed to have had the superior weapons and weapon systems, but they still nearly lost to a small core of ax armed professional soldiers supported by variously armed militia.
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If you all are into vikings and historical fiction, check out some of the stuff Bernard Cornwell writes. Get acquainted with Uthred, son of Uthred.
On the scarcity of iron and Norwegian swords, I've read that single edged swords were more common in Norway. It's thought that they may have been a little more useful for utilitarian tasks that a less well-off Jarl may have had to do for himself. I've seen a couple online and find them highly cool.
http://www.myarmoury.com/review_cerv_vikse.html
http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/nextgen/sword-viking-berserkr.htm
It's also worth a look to just check out Albion's offerings in general.
http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/swords-albion-mark-nextgen.htm#Viking
http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/squire/sword-squire-viking.htm
Last, overall I like the show.
It portrays Norsemen as they likely were - people. Some are good, some are bad, some are trustworthy, some are not, and even the best of them aren't perfect. But they did make a significant stamp on history.
On the scarcity of iron and Norwegian swords, I've read that single edged swords were more common in Norway. It's thought that they may have been a little more useful for utilitarian tasks that a less well-off Jarl may have had to do for himself. I've seen a couple online and find them highly cool.
http://www.myarmoury.com/review_cerv_vikse.html
http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/nextgen/sword-viking-berserkr.htm
It's also worth a look to just check out Albion's offerings in general.
http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/swords-albion-mark-nextgen.htm#Viking
http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/squire/sword-squire-viking.htm
Last, overall I like the show.
It portrays Norsemen as they likely were - people. Some are good, some are bad, some are trustworthy, some are not, and even the best of them aren't perfect. But they did make a significant stamp on history.
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Great stuff from the British Museum.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/10/world/europe/awesome-viking-warship/index.html?hpt=hp_c3
rc
http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/10/world/europe/awesome-viking-warship/index.html?hpt=hp_c3
rc
Shanghai McCoy
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Nice pictures there rc. I wonder what the dimensions are on that axe head ?
Years ago I got a good looking axe from Kult of Athena... they don't sell that particular head anymore but its a respectable belt axe somewhere between shave/bearded.
The bearded axe as I have seen it demonstrated as a tool, can be used to protect the hand doing delicate work.. or the gap allowed for more cutting head with less weight...
or in war be used to pull DOWN/hook an opponent's shield, sword, whatever.
The bearded axe as I have seen it demonstrated as a tool, can be used to protect the hand doing delicate work.. or the gap allowed for more cutting head with less weight...
or in war be used to pull DOWN/hook an opponent's shield, sword, whatever.
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