Difference between revisions of "Seax"

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{{Stars2|Category=Weapons}}
 
{{Stars2|Category=Weapons}}
 +
{{Knives}}
 
''A large knife with a blade length of 18cm (7") or longer possibly used in combat.''  
 
''A large knife with a blade length of 18cm (7") or longer possibly used in combat.''  
 
<br>
 
<br>
Line 27: Line 28:
  
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
St._Andrew_Sarcophagus.jpg|St. Andrew Sarcophagus
+
Scotland, St Andrew Sarcophagus.jpg|St. Andrew Sarcophagus
 
Repton_Stone.jpg|Repton Stone
 
Repton_Stone.jpg|Repton Stone
 
Paris,_Bibliothèque_Nationale_de_France,_Lat._8085_seax.jpg| Paris, BNF, Lat. 8085
 
Paris,_Bibliothèque_Nationale_de_France,_Lat._8085_seax.jpg| Paris, BNF, Lat. 8085
−
Middleton_Warrior.jpg|Middleton Warrior
+
England, Middleton Warrior, Stone Carving.jpg|Middleton Warrior
 
Brussels,_Bibliotheque_Royale,_ms._10066-77_seax.jpg|Brussels Bib. ms. 10066-77
 
Brussels,_Bibliotheque_Royale,_ms._10066-77_seax.jpg|Brussels Bib. ms. 10066-77
 
Cranborne_Silver_strap-end.jpg|Cranbourne Strap End   
 
Cranborne_Silver_strap-end.jpg|Cranbourne Strap End   
Line 36: Line 37:
 
Bayeux_Tapestry_seax.JPG|Bayeux Tapestry
 
Bayeux_Tapestry_seax.JPG|Bayeux Tapestry
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
−
 
 
<br>
 
<br>
  
Line 51: Line 51:
 
Out of 128 knives found from Coppergate York, only 1 can be classed as a seax. [CAMERON 2000: p.64-65]<br>
 
Out of 128 knives found from Coppergate York, only 1 can be classed as a seax. [CAMERON 2000: p.64-65]<br>
  
−
{|
+
===England, Cambridge, River Cam at Dimmock's Cote===
−
|- valign="top" id="BC1"
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:seax_Dimmock_Cote.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=Dimmock's Cote]]
+
−
|width="600pt"| '''England, Cambridge, River Cam at Dimmock's Cote'''
+
−
:Current Location- University of Archaeology and Ethnology, Cambridge
+
 
:Type- ? 800AD
 
:Type- ? 800AD
 
:Find Date- ?
 
:Find Date- ?
 
:Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: ?  
 
:Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: ?  
−
:Comments- 'large scramasax with a groove along the back of the blade' [BJORN 1940:p.69].
+
:Comments- 'large scramasax with a groove along the back of the blade' [BJORN & SHETELIG 1940:p.69].
−
:Bibliography- [BJORN 1940:p.69]
+
:Bibliography-  
 +
:*{{ListRef|Bjorn & Shetelig 1940|p.69}}
 +
|Seen=
 +
|Museum= University of Archaeology and Ethnology, Cambridge
 +
|Accession=
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=seax_Dimmock_Cote.jpg
 +
}}
  
−
|- valign="top" id="BC2"
+
===England, Cumwhitton, Plough Soil===
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:seax_Cumwhitton_634.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=Cumwhitton 634]]
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="600pt"| '''England, Cumwhitton, Plough Soil'''
+
−
:Current Location- Tullie House Museum
+
 
:Type- ?  
 
:Type- ?  
 
:Find Date- ?
 
:Find Date- ?
 
:Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: 30mm; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: 220mm   
 
:Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: 30mm; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: 220mm   
 
:Comments- 'Patern-welded blade with remains of possible leather sheath still attached' [PATERSON 2014:cat.634].
 
:Comments- 'Patern-welded blade with remains of possible leather sheath still attached' [PATERSON 2014:cat.634].
−
:Bibliography- [PATERSON 2014:p.50,51 & Cat.634]
+
:Bibliography-  
 +
:*{{ListRef|Paterson 2014|p.50,51 & Cat.634}}
 +
|Seen=
 +
|Museum= Tullie House Museum
 +
|Accession=
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=seax_Cumwhitton_634.jpg
 +
}}
  
−
|- valign="top" id="BC3"
+
===England, Cumwhitton, Grave 5===
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:seax_Cumwhitton_885.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=Cumwhitton 885]]
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="600pt"| '''England, Cumwhitton, Grave 5'''
+
−
:Current Location- Tullie House Museum
+
 
:Type- ?  
 
:Type- ?  
 
:Find Date- ?  
 
:Find Date- ?  
 
:Size- Blade Length: 182mm; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: 270mm   
 
:Size- Blade Length: 182mm; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: 270mm   
 
:Comments- 'Part pattern welded. Has a horn handle with inlaid silver wire.' [PATERSON 2014:cat.885].
 
:Comments- 'Part pattern welded. Has a horn handle with inlaid silver wire.' [PATERSON 2014:cat.885].
−
:Bibliography- [PATERSON 2014:p.110 & Cat.885]
+
:Bibliography-  
 +
:*{{ListRef|Paterson 2014|p.110 & Cat.885}}
 +
|Seen= yes
 +
|Museum= Tullie House Museum
 +
|Accession=
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=TH Cumwhitton Seax Grave 5.JPG
 +
|i3=Seax Cumwhitton 885.jpg
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===England, Brackley, Northamptonshire===
 +
{{Cat|
 +
:Type- ?
 +
:Find Date- ?
 +
:Size- ? 
 +
:Comments-
 +
:Bibliography-
 +
|Seen= yes
 +
|Museum= Ashmolean Museum
 +
|Accession= AN1941.82
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=Ashmolean Seax - Brackley, Northamptonshire (AN1941.82).jpg
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===England, Norwich?===
 +
{{Cat|
 +
:Type- ?
 +
:Find Date- ?
 +
:Size- ? 
 +
:Comments- Seen in Norwich Castle Museum. No other information known.
 +
:Bibliography-
 +
|Seen= yes
 +
|Museum= Norwich Castle Museum
 +
|Accession=
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=Norwich-Seax.jpg
 +
}}
  
−
|- valign="top" id="BK1"
+
===England, Kent, Sittingbourne===
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:seax_Sittingbourne.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=Sittingbourne]]
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="600pt"| '''England, Kent, Sittingbourne'''
+
:Type- Wheeler IV 900-925AD  
−
:Current Location- British Museum 1881,0623.1
+
−
:Type- Wheeler IV 900-925AD
+
 
:Find Date- 1881  
 
:Find Date- 1881  
 
:Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: ?   
 
:Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: ?   
 
:Comments- 'inlaid with copper, bronze, silver and niello.' [WILSON 1964:cat.80].
 
:Comments- 'inlaid with copper, bronze, silver and niello.' [WILSON 1964:cat.80].
−
:Bibliography- [WILSON 1964:cat.80] [[http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details/collection_image_gallery.aspx?assetId=476352&objectId=95276&partId=1 British Museum]]
+
:Bibliography- [WILSON 1964:cat.80] [[http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details/collection_image_gallery.aspx?assetId=476352&objectId=95276&partId=1 British Museum Website]]
 +
|Seen=
 +
|Museum= British Museum
 +
|Accession= 1881,0623.1
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=BM-Web Sittingbourne Seax (1881,0623.1).JPG
 +
}}
  
−
|- valign="top" id="BL1"
+
===England, London===
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:seax_London_ALG84_588_381.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=London]]
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="600pt"| '''England, London'''
+
−
:Current Location- London Museum ALG84[588]381
+
 
:Type- Wheeler III/II 1000-1100AD
 
:Type- Wheeler III/II 1000-1100AD
 
:Find Date- ?  
 
:Find Date- ?  
 
:Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: 247mm   
 
:Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: 247mm   
 
:Comments-  
 
:Comments-  
−
:Bibliography- [[http://collections.museumoflondon.org.uk/Online/object.aspx?objectID=object-146014&rows=1&start=0 Museum of London]]
+
:Bibliography- [MUSEUM OF LONDON IMAGES] [[http://collections.museumoflondon.org.uk/Online/object.aspx?objectID=object-146014&rows=1&start=0 Webpage link]]
 +
|Seen= yes
 +
|Museum= Museum of London
 +
|Accession= ALG84[588]381
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=seax_London_ALG84_588_381.jpg
 +
}}
  
−
|- valign="top" id="BL2"
+
===England, London, Honey Lane===
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:seax_London_1856_Honey_Lane.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=London 1856]]
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="600pt"| '''England, London, Honey Lane'''
+
−
:Current Location- British Museum 1856,7-1,1413
+
 
:Type- Wheeler IV 978-1016AD
 
:Type- Wheeler IV 978-1016AD
 
:Find Date- 1856  
 
:Find Date- 1856  
Line 111: Line 167:
 
:Comments-  
 
:Comments-  
 
:Bibliography- [WILSON 1965:Cat.43]
 
:Bibliography- [WILSON 1965:Cat.43]
 +
|Seen=
 +
|Museum= British Museum 
 +
|Accession= 1856,0701.1413
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=BM-Web Honey Lane Seax (1856,0701.1413).jpg
 +
}}
  
−
|- valign="top" id="BL3"
+
===England, London, Park Street===
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:seax_London_1879_Park_Street.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=London 1879]]
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="600pt"| '''England, London, Park Street'''
+
−
:Current Location- British Museum 1879,12-22.1
+
 
:Type- 800-1000AD
 
:Type- 800-1000AD
 
:Find Date-  
 
:Find Date-  
 
:Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: 266mm   
 
:Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: 266mm   
 
:Comments-  
 
:Comments-  
−
:Bibliography- [WILSON 1965:Cat.81]
+
:Bibliography- [WILSON 1965:Cat.81] [[http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=83812&partId=1]]
 +
|Seen=
 +
|Museum= British Museum 
 +
|Accession= 1933,0510.1
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=Seax London 1879 Park Street (Wilson 1965).jpg
 +
}}
  
−
|- valign="top" id="BL4"
+
===England, London, Princes Street===
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:seax_London_Princes_Street.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=London Princes St]]
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="600pt"| '''England, London, Princes Street'''
+
−
:Current Location- London Museum 29.94,17 (Wheeler no.21)
+
 
:Type- 900-1000AD
 
:Type- 900-1000AD
 
:Find Date-   
 
:Find Date-   
Line 131: Line 197:
 
:Comments-  
 
:Comments-  
 
:Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935:p.]
 
:Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935:p.]
 +
|Seen=
 +
|Museum= London Museum   
 +
|Accession= 29.94,17 (Wheeler no.21)
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=seax_London_Princes_Street.jpg
 +
}}
  
−
|- valign="top" id="BL5"
+
===England, London,Thames===
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:seax_London_1859_Thames.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=London 1859]]
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="600pt"| '''England, London,Thames'''
+
−
:Current Location- British Museum 1859,1-22.12
+
 
:Type- 800-1000AD
 
:Type- 800-1000AD
 
:Find Date-  
 
:Find Date-  
 
:Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: 232mm   
 
:Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: 232mm   
 
:Comments-  
 
:Comments-  
−
:Bibliography- [WILSON 1965:Cat.50]
+
:Bibliography- [WILSON 1965:Cat.50] [[http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=86468&partId=1]]
 +
|Seen=
 +
|Museum= British Museum   
 +
|Accession= 1859,0122.12
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=seax_London_1859_Thames (Wilson 1965).jpg
 +
}}
  
−
|- valign="top" id="BL6"
+
===England, London, Thames===
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:seax_London_A1781.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=London A1781]]
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="600pt"| '''England, London, Thames'''
+
−
:Current Location- London Museum A1781 (Wheeler no.25)
+
 
:Type- 900-1100AD
 
:Type- 900-1100AD
 
:Find Date-   
 
:Find Date-   
Line 151: Line 227:
 
:Comments-  
 
:Comments-  
 
:Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935:p.]
 
:Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935:p.]
 +
|Seen= yes
 +
|Museum= Museum of London     
 +
|Accession= A1781 (Wheeler no.25)
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=seax_London_A1781.jpg
 +
}}
  
−
|- valign="top" id="BL7"
+
===England, London, Thames at Blackfriars===
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:seax_London_A9313.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=London A9313]]
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="600pt"| '''England, London, Thames at Blackfriars'''
+
−
:Current Location- London Museum A9313 (Wheeler no.8)
+
 
:Type- 800-1000AD
 
:Type- 800-1000AD
 
:Find Date-   
 
:Find Date-   
Line 161: Line 242:
 
:Comments-  
 
:Comments-  
 
:Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935:p.]
 
:Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935:p.]
 +
|Seen=
 +
|Museum= Museum of London     
 +
|Accession= A9313 (Wheeler no.8)
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=seax_London_A9313.jpg
 +
}}
  
−
|- valign="top" id="BL8"
+
===England, London, Thames at Brentford===
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:seax_London_A10721.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=London A10721]]
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="600pt"| '''England, London, Thames at Brentford'''
+
−
:Current Location- London Museum A10721 (Wheeler no.11)
+
 
:Type- 700-900AD
 
:Type- 700-900AD
 
:Find Date-   
 
:Find Date-   
Line 171: Line 257:
 
:Comments-  
 
:Comments-  
 
:Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935:p.]
 
:Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935:p.]
 +
|Seen=
 +
|Museum= Museum of London     
 +
|Accession= A10721 (Wheeler no.11)
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=seax_London_A10721.jpg
 +
}}
  
−
|- valign="top" id="BL9"
+
===England, London, Thames at Brentford===
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:seax_London_A13935.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=London A13935]]
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="600pt"| '''England, London, Thames at Brentford'''
+
−
:Current Location- London Museum A13935 (Wheeler no.22)
+
 
:Type- 900-1100AD
 
:Type- 900-1100AD
 
:Find Date-   
 
:Find Date-   
Line 181: Line 272:
 
:Comments-  
 
:Comments-  
 
:Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935:p.]
 
:Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935:p.]
 +
|Seen=
 +
|Museum= Museum of London     
 +
|Accession= A13935 (Wheeler no.22)
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=seax_London_A13935.jpg
 +
}}
  
−
|- valign="top" id="BL10"
+
===England, London, Thames at Brentford===
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:seax_London_O2136.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=London O2136]]
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="600pt"| '''England, London, Thames at Brentford'''
+
−
:Current Location- London Museum O2136
+
 
:Type- 500-700AD
 
:Type- 500-700AD
 
:Find Date-   
 
:Find Date-   
 
:Size- Blade Length: 181mm; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: ?   
 
:Size- Blade Length: 181mm; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: ?   
 
:Comments-  
 
:Comments-  
−
:Bibliography- [MUSEUM OF LONDON]
+
:Bibliography- [MUSEUM OF LONDON IMAGES]
 +
|Seen=
 +
|Museum= Museum of London     
 +
|Accession= O2136
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=seax_London_O2136.jpg
 +
}}
  
−
|- valign="top" id="BL11"
+
===England, London, Thames at Fulham===
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:seax_London_A24399.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=London A24399]]
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="600pt"| '''England, London, Thames at Fulham'''
+
−
:Current Location- London Museum A24399 (Wheeler no.18)
+
 
:Type- Wheeler IV 900-1000AD
 
:Type- Wheeler IV 900-1000AD
 
:Find Date-   
 
:Find Date-   
Line 201: Line 302:
 
:Comments-  
 
:Comments-  
 
:Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935:p.]
 
:Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935:p.]
 +
|Seen=
 +
|Museum= Museum of London     
 +
|Accession= A24399 (Wheeler no.18)
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=seax_London_A24399.jpg
 +
}}
  
−
|- valign="top" id="BL12"
+
===England, London, Thames at Fulham===
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:seax_London_A24909.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=London A24909]]
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="600pt"| '''England, London, Thames at Fulham'''
+
−
:Current Location- London Museum A24909 (Wheeler no.17)
+
 
:Type- Wheeler III/II 900-1100AD
 
:Type- Wheeler III/II 900-1100AD
 
:Find Date-   
 
:Find Date-   
Line 211: Line 317:
 
:Comments-  
 
:Comments-  
 
:Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935:p.]
 
:Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935:p.]
 +
|Seen=
 +
|Museum= Museum of London     
 +
|Accession= A24909 (Wheeler no.17)
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=seax_London_A24909.jpg
 +
}}
  
 +
===England, York, Goodramgate===
 +
{{Cat|
 +
:Type-
 +
:Find Date- 
 +
:Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: ? 
 +
:Comments-
 +
:Bibliography-
 +
::{{ListRef|Waterman 1959|p.73}}
 +
|Seen=
 +
|Museum= Yorkshire Museum     
 +
|Accession=
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=seax_York_Goodramgate.jpg
 +
}}
 +
<br>
 +
<br>
 
* England, London. One find from cheapside could have had a blade of 25cm. [CAMERON 2000: p.64-65]
 
* England, London. One find from cheapside could have had a blade of 25cm. [CAMERON 2000: p.64-65]
−
 
−
|}
 
  
 
<br>
 
<br>
 +
 
==English style Seax Sheathes (C9th to C11th)==  
 
==English style Seax Sheathes (C9th to C11th)==  
 
[[File:Seax Sheaths.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Seax Sheaths]]
 
[[File:Seax Sheaths.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Seax Sheaths]]
 
Seax sheaths are made from substantial leather up to 3mm thick and closed by rivets about 4 to 5cm apart. In England there are 12 finds of Seax sheaths out of a total of 61 [CAMERON 2000: p.64-65]<br>
 
Seax sheaths are made from substantial leather up to 3mm thick and closed by rivets about 4 to 5cm apart. In England there are 12 finds of Seax sheaths out of a total of 61 [CAMERON 2000: p.64-65]<br>
  
−
{|
+
===Germany, Aachen===
−
|- valign="top" id="O1"
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:sheath_Aachen.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=Aachen]]
+
−
|width="600pt"| '''Germany, Aachen'''
+
−
:Current Location- Aachen Cathedral Treasury (Okasha 1992 cat.1)
+
 
:Type- ?  
 
:Type- ?  
 
:Find Date- before 1860
 
:Find Date- before 1860
Line 231: Line 357:
 
:Comments- Contains a name in Old English
 
:Comments- Contains a name in Old English
 
:Bibliography- [OKASHA 1992:p.64 cat.1 pl.IV]
 
:Bibliography- [OKASHA 1992:p.64 cat.1 pl.IV]
 +
|Seen=
 +
|Museum= Aachen Cathedral Treasury     
 +
|Accession=
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=sheath_Aachen.jpg
 +
}}
  
−
|- valign="top" id="T5918"
+
===Norway, Trondheim, Sor-Trondelag===
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:sheath_Trondheim_T5919.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=Trondheim_T5918]]
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="600pt"| '''Norway, Trondheim, Sor-Trondelag '''
+
−
:Current Location- ? (Okasha 1992 cat.12)
+
 
:Type- ?  
 
:Type- ?  
 
:Find Date- ?
 
:Find Date- ?
Line 241: Line 372:
 
:Comments- Contains a name in Old English
 
:Comments- Contains a name in Old English
 
:Bibliography- [OKASHA 1992:p.64 cat.12 pl.V]
 
:Bibliography- [OKASHA 1992:p.64 cat.12 pl.V]
 +
|Seen=
 +
|Museum=     
 +
|Accession=
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=sheath_Trondheim_T5919.jpg
 +
}}
  
−
|- valign="top" id="T5919"
+
===Norway, Trondheim, Sor-Trondelag===
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:sheath_Trondheim_T5919.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=Trondheim_T5919]]
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="600pt"| '''Norway, Trondheim, Sor-Trondelag '''
+
−
:Current Location- ? (Okasha 1992 cat.13)
+
 
:Type- ?  
 
:Type- ?  
 
:Find Date- ?
 
:Find Date- ?
 
:Size- Blade Length: ?; Total Length: ? ; Total Width: ?
 
:Size- Blade Length: ?; Total Length: ? ; Total Width: ?
 
:Comments- Contains a name in Old English
 
:Comments- Contains a name in Old English
−
:Bibliography- [OKASHA 1992:p.64 cat.13 pl.V]
+
:Bibliography- [OKASHA 1992:p.64 pl.V cat.13]
 +
|Seen=
 +
|Museum=     
 +
|Accession=
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=sheath_Trondheim_T5919.jpg
 +
}}
  
−
|- valign="top" id="C.DLS4"
+
===Ireland, Dublin, Christchurch Place===
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:sheath_Dublin_DLS4.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=Dublin DLS4]]
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="600pt"| '''Ireland, Dublin, Christchurch Place'''
+
−
:Current Location- ? (Cameron 2007 cat.DLS 4)
+
 
:Type- ?  
 
:Type- ?  
 
:Find Date- ?
 
:Find Date- ?
 
:Size- Blade Length: ?; Total Length: 367mm ; Total Width: ?
 
:Size- Blade Length: ?; Total Length: 367mm ; Total Width: ?
 
:Comments-  
 
:Comments-  
−
:Bibliography- [CAMERON 2007:p.]  
+
:Bibliography- [CAMERON 2007:p. cat.DLS 4]  
 +
|Seen=
 +
|Museum=     
 +
|Accession=
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=sheath_Dublin_DLS4.jpg
 +
}}
  
−
|- valign="top" id="C.DLS5"
+
===Ireland, Dublin, Christchurch Place===
−
|width="100pt"| [[File:sheath_Dublin_DLS5.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=Dublin DLS5]]
+
{{Cat|
−
|width="600pt"| '''Ireland, Dublin, Christchurch Place'''
+
−
:Current Location- ?, E122:12660 (Cameron 2007 cat.DLS 5) (Okasha 1992 cat.2)
+
 
:Type- ? 1050-1075AD
 
:Type- ? 1050-1075AD
 
:Find Date- ?
 
:Find Date- ?
 
:Size- Blade Length: ?; Total Length: 295mm ; Total Width: ?
 
:Size- Blade Length: ?; Total Length: 295mm ; Total Width: ?
 
:Comments-  
 
:Comments-  
−
:Bibliography- [CAMERON 2007:p.] [OKASHA 1992:p.64 cat.2]
+
:Bibliography- [CAMERON 2007:p. cat.DLS 5] [OKASHA 1992:p.64 cat.2]
 +
|Seen=
 +
|Museum=     
 +
|Accession= E122:12660
 +
|i1none=X
 +
|i2h=70px
 +
|i2=sheath_Dublin_DLS4.jpg
 +
}}
  
 +
 +
{|
 
|- valign="top" id="C.DLS11"
 
|- valign="top" id="C.DLS11"
 
|width="100pt"| [[File:sheath_Dublin_DLS11.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=Dublin DLS11]]
 
|width="100pt"| [[File:sheath_Dublin_DLS11.jpg|thumb|130x150px|left|alt=Dublin DLS11]]
Line 379: Line 534:
  
 
<br>
 
<br>
 +
 
===A few Seax Sheathes from the C8th===  
 
===A few Seax Sheathes from the C8th===  
 
* Dover, Buckland, grave 145, leather sheath dated to 700-750AD
 
* Dover, Buckland, grave 145, leather sheath dated to 700-750AD
Line 395: Line 551:
 
{{Ref|Book=Bailey 1980}}
 
{{Ref|Book=Bailey 1980}}
 
{{Ref|Book=Bersu & Wilson 1966}}
 
{{Ref|Book=Bersu & Wilson 1966}}
−
{{Ref|Book=Bjorn 1940}}
+
{{Ref|Book=Bjorn & Shetelig 1940}}
 +
{{Ref|Book=British Museum Website}}
 
{{Ref|Book=Cameron 2000}}
 
{{Ref|Book=Cameron 2000}}
−
{{Ref|Book=Cameron 2003}}
 
 
{{Ref|Book=Cameron 2007}}
 
{{Ref|Book=Cameron 2007}}
 
{{Ref|Book=Hinton 2005}}
 
{{Ref|Book=Hinton 2005}}
 +
{{Ref|Book=Museum of London Website}}
 
{{Ref|Book=Ohlgren 1992}}
 
{{Ref|Book=Ohlgren 1992}}
 
{{Ref|Book=Okasha 1992}}
 
{{Ref|Book=Okasha 1992}}

Latest revision as of 19:27, 9 December 2016

Seax

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Completion Rating
This article's completion rating is 2 out of 5. Article structure and content is subject to change as data is still being collected.
Completion Rating
This article's completion rating is 2 out of 5. Article structure and content is subject to change as data is still being collected.
Viking Age Compendium articles on Knives and Axes:
VA Seax.JPG
Seaxes
Viking Age Compendium articles on Knives and Axes:
VA Seax.JPG
Seaxes

A large knife with a blade length of 18cm (7") or longer possibly used in combat.
For longer Seaxes over 30cm (12") see Langseax and for Scandinavian combat knives see Norse Style Knives.

Harke defined knives and short seaxes by size with knives being under 175mm and short seaxes being over 180mm. [CAMERON 2000]:p.49. Like Esther Cameron we have also used this as our definition. Blades of over 12" in length are more usually defined as Langseaxes.
The short seax is also known as a Scramasax, a Hadseax or just a Sax. The term Scramasax comes from Gregory of Tours writing in 575AD, who speaks of "boys with strong knives (cultris validis), which they commonly call scramasaxes (scramasaxos)." in his History of the Franks (IV, 52). [WHEELER 1935]:p.176 It is not known if this name continued in use into the Viking Age.
It is not uncommon for burials in the Viking age to contain more than one knife. [BERSU & WILSON 1966]:p.41 Wheeler gives his opinion that small heavy seaxes were in use up until the end of the C10th but that as a weapon it really belongs to the pre-Viking period. [WHEELER 1927]:p.30
Seaxs from the Viking Age never have metal fittings unlike the pagan Anglo-Saxon examples.

Images of Seaxes (C8th to C11th)

  • 775-800AD St. Andrew Sarcophagus
  • C8th England, Derbyshire, Repton. Stone carving, [CAMERON 2000]:p.200 [HINTON 2005]:p.105
  • 850-900AD Brussels, Bibliotheque Royale, Lat. 9987. Psychomachia
  • C9th Paris, BNF, Lat. 8085 fol.57r. Virtue, armed with a sword and seax, combating a Vice. [BNF]
  • C10th Brussels, Bibliotheque Royale, ms. 10066-77 Psychomachia f.112r-139r
  • England, Dorset, Cranborne. Silver strap-end [HINTON 2005]:p.113
  • Middleton Warrior [BAILEY 1980]:pl.14
  • 975-1000AD Cambridge, Corpus Christi College MS23, f.23r.[PARKER LIBRARY]
  • 1025-1050AD Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, MS lat 8824 - seax.jpg [OHLGREN 1992]
  • 1076AD Bayeux Tapestry [WILSON 1985]:pl.6, 7

  • St. Andrew Sarcophagus

  • Repton Stone

  • Paris, BNF, Lat. 8085

  • Middleton Warrior

  • Brussels Bib. ms. 10066-77

  • Cranbourne Strap End

  • Paris, BNF, Lat. 8824

  • Bayeux Tapestry


Literature (C9th to C11th)

  • Beowulf c.1000AD
    • "Grendel's mother; the hard man of conflict then heaved, now that he was enraged, the deadly foe, so that she fell to the floor; she again him quickly gave hand-reward with wrathful grips and clutched him against herself; hen, weary in spirit, he stumbled, the strongest man, warrior on foot, so that he was in a fall; then she bestrode the guest in her hall, and drew her seax, broad and bright-edged; she wished to avenge her son, only offspring;" lines 1538-1547 heorot.dk
    • "Then again the king himself gathered his wits, drew a slaughter-seax bitter and battle-sharp, that he wore on his byrnie;" lines 2702-2704 heorot.dk
    • "beside him lies his life-contender sick with seax-wounds" line 2903-2904 heorot.dk



English Seax Blades (C9th to C11th)

Seax Blades

Out of 128 knives found from Coppergate York, only 1 can be classed as a seax. [CAMERON 2000]:p.64-65

England, Cambridge, River Cam at Dimmock's Cote

Current Location- University of Archaeology and Ethnology, Cambridge
Type- ? 800AD
Find Date- ?
Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: ?
Comments- 'large scramasax with a groove along the back of the blade' [BJORN & SHETELIG 1940]:p.69.
Bibliography-
  • Seax Dimmock Cote.jpg


England, Cumwhitton, Plough Soil

Current Location- Tullie House Museum
Type- ?
Find Date- ?
Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: 30mm; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: 220mm
Comments- 'Patern-welded blade with remains of possible leather sheath still attached' [PATERSON 2014]:cat.634.
Bibliography-
  • Seax Cumwhitton 634.jpg


England, Cumwhitton, Grave 5

Current Location- Tullie House Museum
Type- ?
Find Date- ?
Size- Blade Length: 182mm; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: 270mm
Comments- 'Part pattern welded. Has a horn handle with inlaid silver wire.' [PATERSON 2014]:cat.885.
Bibliography-
  • TH Cumwhitton Seax Grave 5.JPG
  • Seax Cumwhitton 885.jpg


England, Brackley, Northamptonshire

Current Location- Ashmolean Museum AN1941.82
Type- ?
Find Date- ?
Size- ?
Comments-
Bibliography-
  • Ashmolean Seax - Brackley, Northamptonshire (AN1941.82).jpg


England, Norwich?

Current Location- Norwich Castle Museum
Type- ?
Find Date- ?
Size- ?
Comments- Seen in Norwich Castle Museum. No other information known.
Bibliography-
  • Norwich-Seax.jpg


England, Kent, Sittingbourne

Current Location- British Museum 1881,0623.1
Type- Wheeler IV 900-925AD
Find Date- 1881
Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: ?
Comments- 'inlaid with copper, bronze, silver and niello.' [WILSON 1964]:cat.80.
Bibliography- [WILSON 1964]:cat.80 [British Museum Website]
  • BM-Web Sittingbourne Seax (1881,0623.1).JPG


England, London

Current Location- Museum of London ALG84[588]381
Type- Wheeler III/II 1000-1100AD
Find Date- ?
Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: 247mm
Comments-
Bibliography- [MUSEUM OF LONDON IMAGES] [Webpage link]
  • Seax London ALG84 588 381.jpg


England, London, Honey Lane

Current Location- British Museum 1856,0701.1413
Type- Wheeler IV 978-1016AD
Find Date- 1856
Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: 327mm
Comments-
Bibliography- [WILSON 1965]:Cat.43
  • BM-Web Honey Lane Seax (1856,0701.1413).jpg


England, London, Park Street

Current Location- British Museum 1933,0510.1
Type- 800-1000AD
Find Date-
Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: 266mm
Comments-
Bibliography- [WILSON 1965]:Cat.81 [[1]]
  • Seax London 1879 Park Street (Wilson 1965).jpg


England, London, Princes Street

Current Location- London Museum 29.94,17 (Wheeler no.21)
Type- 900-1000AD
Find Date-
Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: ?
Comments-
Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935]:p.
  • Seax London Princes Street.jpg


England, London,Thames

Current Location- British Museum 1859,0122.12
Type- 800-1000AD
Find Date-
Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: 232mm
Comments-
Bibliography- [WILSON 1965]:Cat.50 [[2]]
  • Seax London 1859 Thames (Wilson 1965).jpg


England, London, Thames

Current Location- Museum of London A1781 (Wheeler no.25)
Type- 900-1100AD
Find Date-
Size- Blade Length: 247mm; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: 334mm
Comments-
Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935]:p.
  • Seax London A1781.jpg


England, London, Thames at Blackfriars

Current Location- Museum of London A9313 (Wheeler no.8)
Type- 800-1000AD
Find Date-
Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: ?
Comments-
Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935]:p.
  • Seax London A9313.jpg


England, London, Thames at Brentford

Current Location- Museum of London A10721 (Wheeler no.11)
Type- 700-900AD
Find Date-
Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: ?
Comments-
Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935]:p.
  • Seax London A10721.jpg


England, London, Thames at Brentford

Current Location- Museum of London A13935 (Wheeler no.22)
Type- 900-1100AD
Find Date-
Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: ?
Comments-
Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935]:p.
  • Seax London A13935.jpg


England, London, Thames at Brentford

Current Location- Museum of London O2136
Type- 500-700AD
Find Date-
Size- Blade Length: 181mm; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: ?
Comments-
Bibliography- [MUSEUM OF LONDON IMAGES]
  • Seax London O2136.jpg


England, London, Thames at Fulham

Current Location- Museum of London A24399 (Wheeler no.18)
Type- Wheeler IV 900-1000AD
Find Date-
Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: ?
Comments-
Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935]:p.
  • Seax London A24399.jpg


England, London, Thames at Fulham

Current Location- Museum of London A24909 (Wheeler no.17)
Type- Wheeler III/II 900-1100AD
Find Date-
Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: ?
Comments-
Bibliography- [WHEELER 1935]:p.
  • Seax London A24909.jpg


England, York, Goodramgate

Current Location- Yorkshire Museum
Type-
Find Date-
Size- Blade Length: ?; Blade Width: ?; Blade Thickness: ?; Total Length: ?
Comments-
Bibliography-
  • Seax York Goodramgate.jpg




  • England, London. One find from cheapside could have had a blade of 25cm. [CAMERON 2000]:p.64-65


English style Seax Sheathes (C9th to C11th)

Seax Sheaths

Seax sheaths are made from substantial leather up to 3mm thick and closed by rivets about 4 to 5cm apart. In England there are 12 finds of Seax sheaths out of a total of 61 [CAMERON 2000]:p.64-65

Germany, Aachen

Current Location- Aachen Cathedral Treasury
Type- ?
Find Date- before 1860
Size- Blade Length: ?; Total Length: 470mm ; Total Width: ?
Comments- Contains a name in Old English
Bibliography- [OKASHA 1992]:p.64 cat.1 pl.IV
  • Sheath Aachen.jpg


Norway, Trondheim, Sor-Trondelag

Current Location-
Type- ?
Find Date- ?
Size- Blade Length: ?; Total Length: ? ; Total Width: ?
Comments- Contains a name in Old English
Bibliography- [OKASHA 1992]:p.64 cat.12 pl.V
  • Sheath Trondheim T5919.jpg


Norway, Trondheim, Sor-Trondelag

Current Location-
Type- ?
Find Date- ?
Size- Blade Length: ?; Total Length: ? ; Total Width: ?
Comments- Contains a name in Old English
Bibliography- [OKASHA 1992]:p.64 pl.V cat.13
  • Sheath Trondheim T5919.jpg


Ireland, Dublin, Christchurch Place

Current Location-
Type- ?
Find Date- ?
Size- Blade Length: ?; Total Length: 367mm ; Total Width: ?
Comments-
Bibliography- [CAMERON 2007]:p. cat.DLS 4
  • Sheath Dublin DLS4.jpg


Ireland, Dublin, Christchurch Place

Current Location-  E122:12660
Type- ? 1050-1075AD
Find Date- ?
Size- Blade Length: ?; Total Length: 295mm ; Total Width: ?
Comments-
Bibliography- [CAMERON 2007]:p. cat.DLS 5 [OKASHA 1992]:p.64 cat.2
  • Sheath Dublin DLS4.jpg



File:Sheath Dublin DLS11.jpg
130x150px
 Ireland, Dublin, Fishamble Street
Current Location- ? (Cameron 2007 cat.DLS 11)
Type- ?
Find Date- ?
Size- Blade Length: ?; Total Length: 405mm ; Total Width: ?
Comments-
Bibliography- [CAMERON 2007]:p.
File:Sheath Gloucester sf.65.jpg
130x150px
 England, Gloucester, 11-17 Southgate Street
Current Location- Gloucester City Museum, GLRCM 85/1968 sf.65 (Cameron 2000 cat.349) (Okasha 1992 cat.3)
Type- ?
Find Date- 1968
Size- Blade Length: 170mm ; Total Length: 190mm ; Total Width: 68mm
Comments-
Bibliography- [CAMERON 2000]:p. [OKASHA 1992]:p.64 cat.3
File:Sheath Gloucester sf.7.jpg
130x150px
 England, Gloucester, Berkeley Street
Current Location- Gloucester City Museum, GLRCM 19/79 sf.7 (Cameron 2000 cat.350) (Okasha 1992 cat.4)
Type- ?
Find Date- ?
Size- Blade Length: 200mm ; Total Length: 415mm ; Total Width: 70mm
Comments-
Bibliography- [CAMERON 2000]:p. [OKASHA 1992]:p.64 cat.4
File:Sheath Hexham.jpg
130x150px
 England, Hexham
Current Location- Hexham (Cameron 2000 cat.114) (Okasha 1992 cat.5)
Type- ?
Find Date- ?
Size- Blade Length: ? ; Total Length: 100mm ; Total Width: ?
Comments-
Bibliography- [CAMERON 2000]:p. [OKASHA 1992]:p.64 cat.5
  • York 115
  • York 214
  • York 215
File:Sheath York sf.754.jpg
130x150px
 England, York, Parliament Street
Current Location- ? sf.754 (Cameron 2000 cat.205)
Type- ?
Find Date- ?
Size- Blade Length: ?; Total Length: ? ; Total Width: ?
Comments-
Bibliography- [CAMERON 2000]:p.112
File:Sheath York Coppergate.jpg
130x150px
 England, York, Coppergate
Current Location- ? (Cameron 2000 cat.206)
Type- ?
Find Date- ?
Size- Blade Length: ?; Total Length: ? ; Total Width: ?
Comments-
Bibliography- [CAMERON 2000]:p.
File:Sheath York sf.753.jpg
130x150px
 England, York, Parliament Street
Current Location- ? sf.753 (Cameron 2000 cat.207)
Type- ?
Find Date- ?
Size- Blade Length: ?; Total Length: ? ; Total Width: ?
Comments-
Bibliography- [CAMERON 2000]:p.113
File:Sheath York sf.4332.jpg
130x150px
 England, York
Current Location- ? sf.4332 (Cameron 2000 cat.347)
Type- ?
Find Date- ?
Size- Blade Length: ?; Total Length: ? ; Total Width: ?
Comments-
Bibliography- [CAMERON 2000]:p.135
File:Sheath London Trump Street.jpg
130x150px
 England, London, Trump Street
Current Location- Museum of London, MOL ? (Cameron 2000 cat.144)
Type- ?
Find Date- ?
Size- Blade Length: ?; Total Length: ? ; Total Width: ?
Comments-
Bibliography- [CAMERON 2000]:p.
File:Sheath London Cheapside.jpg
130x150px
 England, London, Cheapside
Current Location- Museum of London, MOL 11674 (Cameron 2000 cat.145) (Okasha 1992 cat.6)
Type- ?
Find Date- 1927
Size- Blade Length: ?; Total Length: 390mm ; Total Width: ?
Comments-
Bibliography- [VINCE 1991] [CAMERON 2000]:p.208 [OKASHA 1992]:cat.6


A few Seax Sheathes from the C8th

  • Dover, Buckland, grave 145, leather sheath dated to 700-750AD
  • London, River Thames nr. Westminster Bridge, metal fittings, late C8th



See Also

Langseax
Norse Style Knives


References

Bailey, Richard N. (1980) Viking Age Sculpture. [BAILEY 1980] ^ *
Bersu, Gerhard and Wilson, David M. (1966) Three Viking Graves in the Isle of Man. The Society for Medieval Archaeology Monograph Servies: No 1 [BERSU & WILSON 1966] ^ *
Bjorn, Anathon, and Shetelig, Haakon (1940) Viking Antiquities in England. Edited by Haakon Shetelig. (Available Online) Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland: Part 4 [BJORN & SHETELIG 1940] ^ *
British Museum Website http://www.britishmuseum.org [BRITISH MUSEUM WEBSITE] *
Cameron, Esther A. (2000) Sheaths and Scabbards in England AD400-1100. British Archaeological Reports: BAR 301 [CAMERON 2000] ^ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 *
Cameron, Esther A. (2007) Scabbards and Sheaths from Viking and Medieval Dublin.. Medieval Dublin Excavations 1962-81: Ser.B Vol.08 [CAMERON 2007] ^ 1 2 3 *
Hinton, David A. (2005) Gold and Gilt, Pots and Pins ~ Possessions and People in Medieval Britain. [HINTON 2005] ^ 1 2 *
Museum of London Website http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/london-wall/ [MUSEUM OF LONDON WEBSITE] *
Ohlgren, Thomas H. (1992) Anglo-Saxon Textual Illustration. [OHLGREN 1992] ^ *
Okasha, Elisabeth (19920 'Anglo-Saxon Inscribed Sheaths from Aachen, Dublin and Trondheim'. (Available Online) Medieval Archaeology: Vol.36 [OKASHA 1992] ^ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 *
Cambridge, Parker Library http://parkerweb.stanford.edu/parker/actions/page.do?forward=home [PARKER LIBRARY] ^ *
Paterson, Caroline; Parsons, Adam J.; Newman, Rachel M.; Johnson, Nick and Howard Davis, Christine (2014) Shadows in the Sand. Excavation of a Viking-Age Cemetery at Cumwhitton, Cumbria. [PATERSON 2014] ^ 1 2 *
Vince, Alan (1991) Aspects of Saxo-Norman London: II Finds and Environmental Evidence. [VINCE 1991] ^ *
Wilson, David M. (1964) Anglo-Saxon Ornamental Metalwork 700-1100. The British Museum. [WILSON 1964] ^ 1 2 *
Wilson, David M. (1965) Some neglected late Anglo-Saxon swords. Medieval Archaeology: Vol.9 [WILSON 1965] ^ 1 2 3 *
Wilson, David M. (1985) The Bayeux Tapestry. [WILSON 1985] ^ *
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] ^ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 *


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