Untold Tales about Viking Swords, Bows, and Armors

Posted by SwordsSwords on Apr 16th 2021

Untold anecdotes of terrifying Viking combatants have been unveiled from history. Their fierceness in combat is legendary. Vikings are famous for sending chills down the spines throughout the antiquated era. However, having a threatful terror was not enough to conquer in real combat situations, so the use of strong and superior technology was one of the main elements in making Viking swords and body armor. We are here to discuss some of the wildest Viking swords from the antiquated era to make you feel the goosebumps.

Viking weapons: Swords

Vikings have used several types of swords including Ulfberht which is always associated with Vikings. Weapons were tricky to manufacture and therefore costly, so they were a representation of prestige. Viking warriors would save loot from raids to purchase weapons and swords. Viking swords were worth approximately half a gold mark, or 16 buffalos. They were highly prized and usually passed from one generation to another. Swords are also ascertained among underground assets, however, of the above 100 Viking arms discovered in burials, just 16 are swords. There are several Viking poetry written to praise chieftains and soldiers by representing the fine feature of their Sword. Swords were so important for the Vikings that they used to give a name to their weapons. One of the famous Viking swords named "Leg-biter" was owned by Viking King Magnus Barelegs. Whereas Norse sagas came with 92 swords names. These swords were designed specially to be able to use with one hand along with Viking shields. While ancient Viking swords were single-edged, in the German style Viking blades were double-edged, constructed from alloy, and approximately 90 centimeters long. The handle of the Viking sword was often constructed from wood, horn, and bone. These swords also had a counterweight hilt usually crafted with cast copper metal. If the swords are carried by prestige personality then it was adorned with gold and silver. Swords of the very wealthy might have a gold or silver hilt. Scabbards were draped over the right shoulder and formed of wood or leather and were usually quilted with wool or fabric.

Viking Bow and Arrow

Vikings are notorious for persisting in the confined fight, several warriors were also assassinated with the bow and arrow, which was also employed for hunting. Viking bows were made from yew, ash, or elm and were able to draw about 100 pounds and a range of about 200 meters. The arrowheads were created from iron, wood, bone, or antler. A good quality Viking crossbowman could release 12 arrows in one minute at the origin of a fight, before entering the close-quarter battle.

Viking Armor

Vikings were very brave and they did not like to wear metallic armor or steel plates. However, they used to wear leather full body armor to stay protected against edgier blades. During the Saga of Olaf, Thorir Hund is portrayed as consuming a leather tunic created from reindeer fur and also helped to protect against sword blows.