Page 58 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

56 ANGLO-SAXONS AND NORMANS

WMEN 500–1500 The term Anglo-Saxon is used to refer to the various Germanic tribes who ▲ LONG SAXON SPEAR The spear was the Anglo-Saxon

invaded and occupied the British Isles from the mid-5th century ce. They were
mainly infantry fighters, armed with spears and short fighting knives (seaxes),
although their elite troops had elaborate armor and fine pattern-welded
swords. The Normans, originally a Viking group from Scandinavia, were
established in northern France from 911ce. They conquered Sicily and
warrior’s primary weapon. Many had
Date 400–500ce
long, leaf-shaped blades and wooden shafts
parts of southern Italy by the early 11th century, and invaded England
Origin Northern Europe
used the spears mainly with one hand,
AND BO in 1066. Their army contained a larger number of mounted warriors Length 19in (48cm) traditionally made from ash. The warriors
while holding a shield with the other.
than the Anglo-Saxons, and also made effective use of archers.

KNIGHTS ▲ ANGLO-SAXON SWORD Typical, slightly tapering Gilded dragon’s head

double-edged blade
Date 500–600ce
Origin England
1
Length 3 ⁄2ft (1.05m)
Anglo-Saxon swords were running over cap
designed to inflict cutting blows,
most often to the neck—which
was usually fatal—or to the leg
or sword arm, thus disabling the
opponent. Their scabbards were
attached to the wearer’s belt
by a loop.

Iron rings interlinked
to form mail
▶ SUTTON HOO HELMET
▶ ANGLO-SAXON MAIL
Date c.625ce
Origin England Date 10th century ce
Origin England
Material Tin, bronze, silver
3
Weight 50 ⁄4lb (23kg)
Found in the royal ship burial Length 35 ⁄2in (90cm)
1
at Sutton Hoo in England, this
is one of the most elaborate Full suits of Anglo-Saxon mail
Germanic helmets to have do not survive, but they could
survived. Its cheekpiece, comprise up to 20,000 interlinked
facemask, and neck guard 0.3in (8mm) iron rings. They were
are decorated with tinned extremely effective in protecting
bronze foil pieces. against cutting blows from swords
Cheekpiece or axes, but less so against sword
thrusts. The item pictured here is
a modern replica.
Thrusting point

Iron tang to
attach grip
▲ LONG SAXON KNIFE
Date 600–1000ce
Origin Northern Europe
Weight 2oz (60g)
Length 9 ⁄4in (24.76cm)
3
The Saxon seax, a single-bladed
knife, was as much a domestic ▲ SHORT SAXON KNIFE Most Saxon fighting knives, or
implement as a weapon of war. Date 600–1000ce seaxes, were made by twisting
A piece of wood or bone would Origin Northern Europe and hammer-welding hot bars of
have been attached to the tang Weight 2oz (60g) iron and steel—a process called
to form a grip, but does not pattern-welding—to produce a
1
survive in this example. Length 7 ⁄2in (19cm) sharp, durable blade.