The 'living' sword in early medieval northern Europe : an interdisciplinary study
This thesis explores perceptions of two-edged swords as âlivingâ artefacts in Anglo-Saxon England and Scandinavia between c. 500 and 1100. Taking inspiration from recent anthropological and archaeological research into âartefact biographyâ, it considers two interlinked avenues of âlifeâ: (1) the notion that swords could acquire life-histories, personalities and other person-like qualities; and (2) the nature of their relationship with warriors (as opposed to other members of society). The thesis compares Anglo-Saxon England and Scandinavia across a broad chronological period in order to identify how attitudes towards swords developed over time. The almost unique proximity to bloodshed which swords, by contrast with other weapons, provided for their wielders is considered key in fuelling perceptions of swords as âlivingâ artefacts, and strengthening the bond between warrior and weapon. This special connection between swords and violence is interpreted as contributing to the symbolic potency of swords in early medieval Northern Europe. This thesis adopts an interdisciplinary approach, discussing archaeological, pictorial and written evidence within a carefully-constructed methodological framework.
Brunning, S. E.
The 'living' sword in early medieval northern Europe : an interdisciplinary study. This thesis explores perceptions of two-edged swords as âlivingâ artefacts in Anglo-Saxon England and Scandinavia between c. 500 and 1100. Taking inspiration from recent anthropological and archaeological research into âartefact biographyâ, it considers two interlinked avenues of âlifeâ: (1) the notion that swords could acquire life-histories, personalities and other person-like qualities; and (2) the nature of their relationship with warriors (as opposed to other members of society). The thesis compares Anglo-Saxon England and Scandinavia across a broad chronological period in order to identify how attitudes towards swords developed over time. The almost unique proximity to bloodshed which swords, by contrast with other weapons, provided for their wielders is considered key in fuelling perceptions of swords as âlivingâ artefacts, and strengthening the bond between warrior and weapon. This special connection between swords and violence is interpreted as contributing to the symbolic potency of swords in early medieval Northern Europe. This thesis adopts an interdisciplinary approach, discussing archaeological, pictorial and written evidence within a carefully-constructed methodological framework.
living sword early_medieval northern_europe interdisciplinary_study explores perception edged_sword live artefact anglo saxon england scandinavia taking inspiration recent anthropological_archaeological artefact biography considers interlinked avenue life notion sword could acquire life histories personality person like quality nature_relationship warrior opposed member_society compare anglo saxon england scandinavia across broad chronological_period order_identify attitude_towards sword develop time almost unique proximity bloodshed sword contrast weapon provide consider key fuel perception sword live artefact strengthen bond warrior weapon special connection sword violence interpret contribute symbolic potency sword early_medieval northern_europe adopts interdisciplinary discuss archaeological pictorial write evidence within carefully constructed methodological_framework