Changes
Axes
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Axes can be both weapons and also tools. Many may have been used as both.<br>
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]<br>
The dates used on this page are derived from 'Vikings at War' [HJARDAR & VIKE 2016:p.163]<br>
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[[File:Axe parts.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Parts of an Axe Head]]
Petersen used the following to determine the typology:[PETERSEN 1919]<br>
# 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]. <br> Projecting spurs are a feature of Scandinavian rather than Anglo-Saxon axe heads. [ROESDAHL 1981:p.161]
# Neck - The older types have a long and wide butt [PETERSEN 1919] .
# 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 [PETERSEN 1919].<br> 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]
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==By Area==
===Norway===
===Denmark===
In Danish graves, axes are the second most numerous weapon found after swords. They have been found in 98 graves and from a further 17 possible graves. Generally burials containing axes are not associated with horse furnishings. [PEDERSEN 2014A:p.83]
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==Type A (Wheeler I / Rygh 557)==
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*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.
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Notes:
# Neck -
# Blade -
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*Date - From AD to AD .
*Location -
==Type B (Wheeler III / Rygh 559)==
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# Spurs - usually more pointed than Type Abut generally still quite low.
# Neck - slender.
# Blade -has little curvature on the upper edge, but the lower edge curves down to a “beard".
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# Spurs - generally larger and more curved than Type B.The lower spur is sometimes larger than the top one.# Butt Neck - thicker than Type B.# Blade - has a beard that is less steep than Type B. Has a ridge, behind which the blade becomes thinner.<br>*Date - From AD 800 to AD 875.*Location -
==Type E (Wheeler V)==
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# Spurs - longer than Type D. The lower spur is often longer and positioned more forward towards the blade.# Butt Neck - # Blade - The curve of the blade is not symmetrical with the lower portion sweeping more towards the hilt. 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.<br>*Date - **E1 from AD 850 to AD 975.**E2 from AD 875 to AD 1025.*Location -
==Type F (Wheeler V / Rygh 561)==
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# Spurs - the same as Type E. The lower spur is often longer and positioned more forward towards the blade# Butt Neck - # Blade - although similar to Type E, the blade is more symmetrical and the curve of the beard is set even further back towards the neck.<br>*Date - From AD 900 to AD 975.*Location -
==Type G (Wheeler IV / Rygh 552)==
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# Spurs - larger than Type A and top and bottom are the same size.# Butt Neck - is slender and often faceted. The Butt is quite thin.# Blade - symmetrical and more curved than Type A.<br>*Date - From AD 800 to AD 950.*Location -
==Type H (Wheeler IV / Rygh 555)==
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# Spurs - similar to Type G but the lower spur is generally larger.# Butt Neck - slender with a small eye hole.# Blade - not symmetrical, the lower portion bends more towards the neck.<br>*Date - From AD 900 to AD 975.*Location -
==Type I (Wheeler IV / Rygh 554)==
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# Spurs - similar to Type H# Butt Neck - thicker than Type H# Blade - thicker, shorter and blunter than Type H<br>*Date - From AD 900 to AD 1000.*Location -
==Type K (Wheeler IV)==
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# Spurs - can be either the same as Type H, or else by very shallow and rounded, or else have a shallow rounded spur on top and a fully developed spur below.# Butt Neck - short, compacted eye.# Blade - quite long with an edge that has only a little curvature. The upper edge has a very shallow curve. The edge is not symmetrical with the lower portion bending towards the neck.<br>*Date - From AD 900 to AD 1030.*Location -
==Type L (Wheeler IV)==
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# Spurs - similar to Type K but with the spurs blunted.# Butt Neck - the eye has a curious and distinct form.# Blade - same as Type K<br>*Date - From AD 940 to AD 1200.*Location -
==Type M - Broad axe (Dane axe) (Wheeler VI / Rygh 558 & 560)==
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# Spurs - quite steep with the lower one being longer and further towards the blade.
# Neck - slender with the butt almost square in shape.
# Blade - quite thin with the upper and lower edges being strongly curved. The cutting edge slopes downwards towards the hilt. Behind the cutting edge is a ridge like Type E.
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*Date -
**M1 From AD 940 to AD 1050.
**M2 From AD 970 to AD 1120.
**M3 From AD 1100 to AD 1200+.
*Location -
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[[File:London-Axe London Bridge Dane Axes.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Museum of London <br>London Bridge]]
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==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]. <br>
It has been suggested that small axes such as the Mammen Axe, from Mammen in Denmark, may have possibly been thrown [CITATION NEEDED].
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==Leather axe loops==
==Edge protectors for axe==
Edge protectors of wood have been found in Hedeby, Denmark [WESTPHAL 2006] [SCHIETZEL 2014:p.579]
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==References==
{{Ref|Hjardar & Vike 2016}}
{{Ref|Leahy 2003}}
{{Ref|Mould, Carlisle & Cameron 2003}}
{{Ref|Ottaway 2009}}
{{Ref|Pedersen 2014a}}
{{Ref|Petersen 1919}}
{{Ref|Roesdahl 1981}}
{{Ref|Schietzel 2014}}
{{Ref|Thompson 2004}}
