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What kind of axes Did Vikings use?
The medieval Norsemen used two common types of axe: the long axe and the hand axe. Axes from the early Viking era had cutting edges 3 to 6 inches long, while later on in the Viking age, the axes used became much larger. Some broad-axes, for example, had crescent shaped edges 9 to 18 inches long!
Did Vikings use battle axes?
Battle axes were considered the “normal weapon” for middle class vikings. The average farmer was likely limited to a spear, shield, and perhaps a common axe or large knife (seax). Some would also bring their hunting bows (mostly long bow or flat bow) to use in the opening stages of battle.
Did Vikings use axes as weapons?
As well as their ships, weapons are also popularly associated with the Vikings. In the Viking Age a number of different types of weapons were used: swords, axes, bows and arrows, lances and spears. The Vikings also used various aids to protect themselves in combat: shields, helmets and chain mail.
What did a Viking battle AXE look like?
A wide variety of axe head shapes were used in the Viking age. Breið-øx (broad axes) had crescent shaped edges 22 to 45cm (9-18in) long. The cutting edge of the largest of the axe heads shown to the right is 22cm (9in) long. The edge of this axe is made of hardened steel welded to the iron head.
What were Viking axes made out of?
They have been found in the richly furnished warrior graves of the Viking Age, as well as in simple graves, in which the deceased had little to accompany them on their last journey. All the axes are made of iron, but some are more elaborately decorated than others.
What is a Viking mace?
The Mace is a popular weapon and it was utilized mainly during the medieval period. This weapon specifically features a heavy head and at times, it also had knobbed or flanged additions on its handle’s ends.
How were axes used in medieval times?
The Axe was a weapon used in Medieval Times by Foot Soldiers and occasionally knights. The axe was cheap to produce and required limited skill so was suited as weapons for foot soldiers. The axe is comprised of two primary parts: the axe head and the haft, or handle.
Did Vikings use 1 handed swords?
Swords in the Viking age were typically double edged; both edges of the blade were sharp. Swords were generally used single handed, since the other hand was busy holding the shield. Blades ranged from 60 to 90cm (24-36 in) long, although 70-80cm was typical. Typical swords weigh in at the lower end of this range.
Did double headed axes exist?
The double-headed battle axe is a shaft-hole axe from around 3400–2900 BC. It occurred mainly around Rügen in Germany and on Zealand in Denmark, as the Battle Axe culture established itself in the surrounding areas.
Why did Vikings favor axes?
Axes were cheaper and easier to make and steel was much more scarce, which is why only upper-classes of Vikings, such as Jarls, would have swords.
What are the different types of battle axes used by Vikings?
Viking Battle Axes. As mentioned earlier there were two basic types of axes used by the medieval Scandinavian warriors, the hand axe and the long axe. However, within these two types there were many variations some of which are listed below. The length of the haft (handle) of both hand axes and long axes varied.
What kind of weapons did the Vikings use?
Viking Axe History Around the 10th-11th century, Viking axe got immense popularity among the areas outside Scandinavia where Vikings influence were quite strong during that time and it was one of the most common weapons used by the ancient Norse warriors. The medieval Norsemen used two common types of axe: the long axe and the hand axe.
How long is the handle of a Viking axe?
The length of the haft (handle) of both hand axes and long axes varied. Generally Viking battle axes were one to five feet long (approximately 30 cm to 1.5 meters).
What were axes used for in the Middle Ages?
Most likely these axes were only used for decorative or ceremonial purposes. The length of the shaft was usually about a meter (3 ft.), but some axes had longer shafts which made them ideal in battle where they could strike a blow from a distance.