Viking Two Handed Swords? - History vs. Fantasy
8,368The first 1000 people to use this link will get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership: https://skl.sh/skallagrim03211
The idea of a burly Nordic warrior / barbarian angrily swinging a large weapon in both hands is popular in fantasy and historical fiction, and people sometimes commission blade smiths to make a two-handed version of a Viking sword.
Every now and then someone speculates about whether longswords or hand-and-a-half swords might have existed in the Viking Age. There is a particular archaeological find and two interesting pieces in a museum that fuel such speculation.
In this video I talk about whether there is real evidence for them and why in depictions of battles (like on the Bayeux tapestry) you see a few two-handed axes but otherwise only spears and single-handed swords used with shields. There are some practical reasons that I find plausible as potential explanations.
The shield I show here is made by Vaughn Morphett (great work!)
https://www.hammerandhand.com.au/artist/hobart/vaughn-morphett/
*** Support the channel ***
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and other rewards:
http://www.patreon.com/skallagrim
https://www.subscribestar.com/skallagrim
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3WIohkLkH4GFoMrrWVZZFA/join
Books about history and/or martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend (as an Amazon Affiliate I earn commission through these links):
US - https://www.amazon.com/shop/skallagrimnilsson
Canada - https://amzn.to/2HeOCMA
Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:
Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:
https://www.kultofathena.com/?koa=259
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
http://www.woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
*** Social media & merch ***
How to contact me (can't always reply, since I get too many messages):
https://www.youtube.com/user/SkallagrimNilsson/about
See a list of my video uploads:
https://twitter.com/_Skallagrim_
https://www.facebook.com/SkallagrimYT
Channel-related shirts and other merch:
http://skallagrim.spreadshirt.com/
https://teespring.com/stores/skallagrim
My side channel (for rambles, vlogs, opinions, gaming, etc):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM7qhOYtW23jASfxTxCYvvg
*** Music ***
Intro song:
"Illuminate" by Vindsvept
https://vindsvept.bandcamp.com/track/illuminate
Outro:
"Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records
https://theslantedroom.github.io/steve.yee/