Developments in iron smithing and decorative welding techniques found in Anglo-Saxon swords and related edged weapons
The subject of this study is the manufacture of edged weapons of the Anglo Saxon period in England, c.AD 400-1100. The central part of the study consists of The technological examination of a reasonably large sample of the surviving weapons mainly by X-ray and metallography. The main aim was to gather sufficient evidence from such analysis to allow conclusions to be drawn about (a) the methods of manufacture in use at particular times; (b) the development of these methods during the period; and (c) why these developments took place. The study deals mainly with swords, both double-edged longswords and scramasaxes (single-edged swords or daggers) but includes a few spearheads. To supplement the evidence from , technological examination, the study is introduced by summaries of the typology and archaeology of these weapons (Chapter 1) and of the documentary evidence (Chapter 2). Such eviderice tells much, not only about their formal history, but also about their use and significance, especially how far they were ceremonial and how far working weapons. This is important when assessing the aims and effectiveness of the smithing. Chapter 3 describes the techniques of examination employed in this study, although the
Gilmour, Brian J. J.
Longswords; Scramasaxes; Spearheads
Developments in iron smithing and decorative welding techniques found in Anglo-Saxon swords and related edged weapons. The subject of this study is the manufacture of edged weapons of the Anglo Saxon period in England, c.AD 400-1100. The central part of the study consists of The technological examination of a reasonably large sample of the surviving weapons mainly by X-ray and metallography. The main aim was to gather sufficient evidence from such analysis to allow conclusions to be drawn about (a) the methods of manufacture in use at particular times; (b) the development of these methods during the period; and (c) why these developments took place. The study deals mainly with swords, both double-edged longswords and scramasaxes (single-edged swords or daggers) but includes a few spearheads. To supplement the evidence from , technological examination, the study is introduced by summaries of the typology and archaeology of these weapons (Chapter 1) and of the documentary evidence (Chapter 2). Such eviderice tells much, not only about their formal history, but also about their use and significance, especially how far they were ceremonial and how far working weapons. This is important when assessing the aims and effectiveness of the smithing. Chapter 3 describes the techniques of examination employed in this study, although the
developments iron smithing decorative technique find anglo_saxon sword relate edge weapon subject study manufacture edge weapon anglo_saxon_period england cad central_part study_consist technological examination reasonably large_sample survive weapon mainly x_ray metallography main_aim gather sufficient evidence analysis allow conclusion_draw method_manufacture use particular time development method period development take_place study deal mainly sword double single edged_sword include spearhead supplement evidence technological examination study introduce summary typology archaeology weapon documentary_evidence tell much formal history also use significance especially far ceremonial far work weapon important assess aim effectiveness smithing describes technique examination employ study although