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== Spearheads ==
[[File:Spears-types.png|thumb|Terms for spearhead components]]
''' Archaeology '''<br>
* England. So far I have identified 45 spearhead finds from England. 20 are of type K/M or M. 7 others are of winged form.
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==== Categorising spearheadsspears, javelins and arrowheads arrows ====
The following size categories are extremely arboratory <br>
Arrow<br>
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[[File:Spears.png|thumb|Spear Typology]]== Spearhead Typology typology ==
Petersen created the first and still the most used typology of spearheads for the Viking Age in 1919 [PETERSEN 1919]. His typology is based on finds from Norway and includes some types that are rare or nonexistent in Britain. It must be remembered that Petersen was working on dates derived from associated items found along with his spear-heads in Norwegian pagan burials and that he often commented on the difficulty of precisely dating a specific burial find. <br>
Leaf shaped heads, Petersen types A(B), C(D1) and E, seem to go out of fashion by 950AD [PETERSEN 1919]. Other people have suggested that a few leaf shaped heads may have continued throughout the period [*Citation Needed].
==== Angular shaped heads with Short Socketsshort sockets====
'''Thålin Group 2'''<br>
Group 2 consists of Petersen types D:2, G and H. They are all types with edge shoulders placed low on the blade and a short conical socket with marked narrowing below the blade.<br>
It has also been suggested by Fuglesang and Petersen that type G spearheads without wings may be of eastern origin with the majority of finds coming from Sweden and Finland. A few decorated type G spears have been found with Urnes style decoration.
====Angular Spearheads spearheads with Long Sockets long sockets ====
'''Thålin Group 3'''<br>
Group 3 consists of Petersen types F, I, K & M. They are all types with a narrow blade which is often shouldered and a socket that is long, narrow and conical.<br>
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[[File:Codex Aureus.png|thumb|Codex Aureus Epternacensis f.78, Germany, 1040AD]]
== Spearheads with attached wings or lugs==
Lugged spear-heads of this kind, sometimes referred to as the Carolingian type, are common from Viking contexts from the 9th century onwards, both in Scandinavia and England, but the most recent studies cautiously point out that it can no longer be regarded as exclusively Scandinavian in character.
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''Though Petersen used the lugs as diagnostic features for his typology of spears, recent scholars have very properly challenged the notion that they serve as chronological or stylistic indicators. Because the lugs have a function in preventing too deep a penetration of the blade, this type of spear was used primarily as a hunting weapon, since with it the animal could be more easily held at bay. So successful was it that it survived in use until the end of the Middle Ages. That it was so employed is demonstrated by the 10th-century cross Middleton A, near Pickering, which depicts a stag hunt with the huntsman wielding a lugged spear. Signe Horn Fuglesang's [FUGLESANG 1980: P.136] discussion of such sockets has convincingly removed the lug as a typological factor, and as a chronological criterion too. [LANG 1981]''
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Heavy thrusting spears of this winged type are considered to be 9th century imports from the Carolingian empire. Winged or lugged spearheads in general are discussed by Fuglesang. [GRAHAM-CAMPBELL 1980: P.72]<br>
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The winged spear can be seen in a few of manuscripts illustrations and stone carvings.
=== Types of winged spears ===
[[File:Winged Spear.png|thumb|Standard wings]]
'''Standard Wings'''<br>
[[File:Winged Spear Backswept.png|thumb|Backswept wings]]
'''Backswept Wings'''<br>
== Decorated spearheads ==
characterised by the use of different metals, or metals of different colours, to form the ornament
E-, I- K- and K-type spearheads, but also in some cases to G-type<br>
[[File:Spears-decoration II.png|thumb|Ringerike decoration on a type K spearhead [Wheeler 1927:P.21]]]
==== Type II – Ringerike Style ====
1000 – 1060AD<br>
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===Paintedshafts===
A spear shaft painted in a single colour.
'''Art'''<br>
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=== Carved shafts===
''' Archaeology '''<br>
Danish bog finds <br>
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[[File:Aberlemno.png|thumb|Aberlemo stone showing the use of two-handed spear and shield. c.700AD]]
==Using spears two-handed with a slung shield==
There are no depictions of spears being used two-handed with a slung shiled from the Viking age. What evidence we do have comes from before or after the Viking age and depict combat against either horses, ships or castles. <br>
Two-handed spear combat evolved in the 1980’s as a way of winning reenctment battles [SIDDORN 2005]. Using a spear in this fashion has one huge disadvantage, you cannot defend your head with your shield! Having said this I do beleave that some of the large headed winged spears could of possibly been used two-handed as both hunting spears and combat spears. A counter argument to this is the dipiction of warriors using winged spears one-handed in the Codex Aureus Epternacensis illustrated in c.1040AD. <br>
In summary I think that it would be unusual to see a spear being used in a two-handed fashion on the battle field and any that were would be high status hunting winged spears.<br>
== References ==
* [*HEWITT 1996] Hewitt, John. Ancient Armour & Weapons, First published as Ancient Armour and Weapons in Europe by John Henry and James Parker in 1885. 1996.
* [*HILL 2004] Hill, Paul. “Anglo-Saxon and Viking Period Spears.” In Ancient Weapons in Britain, by Logan THOMPSON. Pen and Sword Military, 2004.
* [*KENDRICK 1949] Kendrick, T.D. Late Saxon and Viking Art. Butler and Tanner, 1949.
* [*LANG 1981] Lang, J.T. "A Viking Age Spear-Socket from York." Medieval Archaeology, 25, 1981: 157–160.
* [*MAGI-LOUGAS 1994] Magi-Lougas, Marika. “On the Relations between the Countries around the Baltic as Indicated by the Background of Viking Age Spearhead Ornament.” 1994.
* [*OAKESHOTT 1960] Oakshott, Ewart. The Archaeology of Weapons. Lutterworth Press, 1960.
