Difference between revisions of "Axes"

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# Spurs - longer than Type D. The lower spur is often longer and positioned more forward towards the blade.
 
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# Blade - The upper edge has a more pronounced curve than Type D. The lower edge has a less distinct beard and the curve of the beard to pulled more back towards the neck.
 
# Blade - The upper edge has a more pronounced curve than Type D. The lower edge has a less distinct beard and the curve of the beard to pulled more back towards the neck.
 
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Revision as of 13:02, 21 August 2018

Axe.png

Viking Age Axe Typology
More Weapons pages

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Viking Age Compendium articles on Knives and Axes:
VA Axes.jpg
Axes Overview
Viking Age Compendium articles on Knives and Axes:
VA Axes.jpg
Axes Overview

Introduction

Axes can be both weapons and also tools. Many may have been used as both.
There are only two typologies for Viking Age axes, Petersen from 1919 and Wheeler from 2017. No one has reviewed the typology of axes since Wheeler in 1927. [OTTAWAY 2009]

Parts of an Axe head

Petersen [Pertersen 1919] used the following to determine the typology:

  1. Spurs - can be long or short, more or less pointed, or cut clean, upper and lower lobes can be of different length, they can be directly opposed to each other, or offset, one further forward than the other [Petersen 1919].
    Projecting spurs are a feature of Scandinavian rather than Anglo-Saxon axe heads. [Pearson 1981:p.161]
  2. Neck - The older types have a long and wide butt [Pertersen 1919] .
  3. Blade - can be more or less curved outward, more curved out below than above, and even be sloped in relation to the shaft hole section [Pertersen 1919].
    Side axes are characterized by being sharpened on only one side of their blade giving an asymmetrical cutting edge. This makes them able to cut at a low angle, achieving a smooth surface. [LEAHY 2003:p.17]

Type A (Wheeler I / Rygh 557)


  1. Spurs - small, symmetrically positioned, either forming a smooth rounded line or small pointed lobes
  2. Neck - slender
  3. Blade - largely symmetrical, with little curvature.


  • Date - From pre Viking period to AD 840.
  • Location - Most are found in Sweden and some in Norway. None have been found in the UK.


Notes:

  • if the Spurs are larger then the axe would be considered to be transitional to type G.
  • if the Spurs or Blade become less symmetrical then the axe would be considered to be transitional to type H.

Wheeler II

  1. Spurs -
  2. Neck -
  3. Blade -

Type B (Wheeler III / Rygh 559)

  1. Spurs - usually more pointed than Type A but generally still quite low.
  2. Neck - slender.
  3. Blade -has little curvature on the upper edge, but the lower edge curves down to a “beard".


  • Date - From AD 600 to AD 840.
  • Location -

Type C

    1. Spurs - No spur on the top of the neck.
    2. Neck - has a large butt.
    3. Blade - has a straight upper edge.


    • Date - From Roman period to AD 900.
    • Location - Most are found in Sweden and some in Norway. None have been found in the UK.

    Type D (Wheeler V)

    1. Spurs - generally larger and more curved than Type B.The lower spur is sometimes larger than the top one.
    2. Neck - thicker than Type B.
    3. Blade - has a beard that is less steep than Type B. Has a ridge, behind which the blade becomes thinner.


    • Date - From AD 800 to AD 875.
    • Location -

    Type E (Wheeler V)

    1. Spurs - longer than Type D. The lower spur is often longer and positioned more forward towards the blade.
    2. Neck -
    3. Blade - The upper edge has a more pronounced curve than Type D. The lower edge has a less distinct beard and the curve of the beard to pulled more back towards the neck.


    • Date -
      • E1 from AD 850 to AD 975.
      • E2 from AD 875 to AD 1025.
    • Location -

    Type F (Wheeler V / Rygh 561)

    1. Spurs -
    2. Butt -
    3. Blade -

    Type G (Wheeler IV / Rygh 552)

    1. Spurs -
    2. Butt -
    3. Blade -

    Type H (Wheeler IV / Rygh 555)

    1. Spurs -
    2. Butt -
    3. Blade -

    Type I (Wheeler IV / Rygh 554)

    1. Spurs -
    2. Butt -
    3. Blade -

    Type K (Wheeler IV)

    1. Spurs -
    2. Butt -
    3. Blade -

    Type L (Wheeler IV)

    1. Spurs -
    2. Butt -
    3. Blade -

    Type M - Broad axe (Dane axe) (Wheeler VI / Rygh 558 & 560)

    Museum of London
    London Bridge


    1. Spurs -
    2. Butt -
    3. Blade -

    Throwing axes

    I am currently unaware of any evidence for throwing axes from the Viking Age (AD 793-1100). A type of axe called a 'Francisca' was specifically designed for throwing. It dates to the period AD 400-550. [WHEELER 1935]:p.141. Wheeler suggests that it evolves into the bearded axe of the Viking Age [WHEELER 1927]:p.24.
    It has been suggested that small axes such as the Mammen Axe, from Mammen in Denmark, may have possibly been thrown [CITATION NEEDED].

    Leather axe loops

    A strip of waste leather with a slit cut down its center tucked through the belt. The axe is dropped through the two slit holes. Ideally leather should be thin enough to snap if a firm tug is made upon the axe handle.
    Art
    --
    Literature
    --
    Archaeology

    Discussion
    Although the exact use of these strips is impossible to deduce and Cameron suggests uses such as a method of knife sheaf suspension or a way of making a longer daisy chain style of leather strap.
    We never see axes suspended from the waist in manuscripts. Even so it is felt that some mechanism for wearing an axe at the waist must of existed as just simply tucking the axe through the belt would have been hindering to movement and not secure.

    Edge protectors for axe

    Edge protectors of wood have been found in Hedeby, Denmark [WESTPHAL 2006] [SCHIETZEL 2014]:p.579

    References

    Mould, Quita; Carlisle, Ian and Cameron, Esther (2003) Leather and Leatherworking in Anglo-Scandinavian and Medieval York. York Archaeological Trust: 17/16 [MOULD, CARLISLE & CAMERON 2003] ^ 1 2 *
    Petersen, Jan (1919) De Norske Vikingesverd. [The Viking Sword]. [PETERSEN 1919] *
    Schietzel, Kurt (2014) Spurensuche Haithabu [Searching for the Remains of Hedeby]. [SCHIETZEL 2014] ^ *
    Thompson, Logan (2004) Ancient Weapons in Britain. [THOMPSON 2004] *
    Westphal, Florian. (2006) Die Holzfunde von Haithabu. Hedeby-Ausgrabungen in Haithabu [WESTPHAL 2006] ^ *
    Wheeler, R.E.M. (1927) London and the Vikings. London Museum Catalogues: No 1 [WHEELER 1927] ^ *
    Wheeler, R.E.M. (1935) London and the Saxons. London Museum Catalogues: No 6 [WHEELER 1935] ^ *