Article layouts

Each item is laid out in the following fashion:

• Completion Rating
• Title
• Definition
• Recreation guide
• Art
• Literature
• Archaeology
• Discussion

Not all items have evidence from Art, Literature and Archaeology. When a specific source of evidence is missing then that title is omitted.
An example image is included where possible for each entry. Many items cover a number of varied forms and this should be remembered when referring to the images.

Completion Rating

Each article is rated out of 5
For an explanation see the Completion Rating article.

Title

Some titles have a following suffix. The code identifies that this item was usually only used by people from a certain geographical area or gender.

(V) Viking Only

(Vw) Western Viking Only. Norway, Iceland, Scotland or Ireland

(Ve) Eastern Viking Only. Sweden or Gotland.

(E) English Only

(F) Females Only

(M) Males Only

Definition

A very short description is supplied often stating materials used, item dimensions and a date range of probable use.

Art

Images have been sourced from manuscripts, embroideries and carvings. Many images are copies of earlier work, using existing prototypes. A good deal of analysis needs to be done before an interpretation can be used.

Manuscripts

Instead of using the full Library and manuscript reference the Compendium uses a concise catalogue number.

Where x is the reference number

• Cx Carolingian Manuscripts 800-950AD
• Tx Anglo-Saxon Manuscripts 900-1066AD
• Ox Ottoninan Manuscripts 950-1066AD
• Rx Romanesque Manuscripts 1066-1200AD

The manuscript catalogue number is linked to the Manuscripts wiki article and from there you can gain a quick summary about the cited manuscript, a primary library web link and a list of currently known folios in published books.

Embroideries and Carvings

These are referenced by name and a book references cited.
For images from the Bayeux Tapestry plate numbers from David Wilson’s ‘The Bayeux Tapestry’ (WILSON 1985) has been used throughout.

Literature

The ‘Literature’ section in this volume contains a small selection of oft referred to works. When these are cited only the literature title is supplied. Book references can be found in the ‘Literature’ section.
For quoted literature not included in the ‘Literature’ sections a standard book citation is supplied.

Archaeology

The cited source or sources are in our opinion those that give the best published summary and preferably a stated date range.

Discussion

It is our intention to supply as many opinions as possible regarding the possible usage and construction of the item in question. All opinions are fully cited with the exception of ours that are given last and in italics