MEDIEVAL VIKING IRON SWORD WITH INSCRIPTION

Ca. 1000-1200 AD. Northern European. A beautiful forged Oakeshott type Xa longsword with a short grip and a disc-shaped pommel. The cross is lenticular and consists of a relatively short, rectangular-sectioned bar. There are carved inscriptions on the blade. Type Xa swords were in use for a long period and marked a serious departure point from the Viking era swords. These swords were used by late-period Vikings, Normans, Anglo-Saxons, Crusaders and Templars before eventually falling out of favour in the 14th century AD as they were quite ineffective against the increasing use of plate armour on the battlefield. Mounted on a custom-made stand. Excellent condition. For more information on Medieval swords, see Oakeshott, R. Ewart (1998). Records of the medieval sword. Boydell Press.Size: L:900mm / W:150mm ; 1.2kg. Provenance: Property of a European collector. Formerly in the collection of Earl Mitchell, London 1990s.