The image of the far traveling marauder often comes to mind during discussion of the Norse, with frequent emphasis placed upon their mastery of the sail.  This stirrup ornament demonstrates the versatility of the Norse in their exploits, formidable opponents not only by sea but also on land. The horse played an important role in Norse life and military campaigns, even maintaining their prominence in Norse belief as many have been found sacrificed to join their owners in the afterlife.¹  Although we do not know where exactly the stirrup mount was found, it dates to 1001-1100 CE. It is made of a copper alloy and was used to adorn a stirrup strap. The mount portrays a serpent and an animal intertwined, perhaps locked in a battle of good versus evil, and is typical of the Urnes style—the last Scandinavian art style of the Viking Age. This style reflects its age in its adoption of more Irish influence as the animals grow more slender and elongated, bearing droplet shaped eyes, and weaving into themselves in intricate circuits accompanied by vines.²  
In popular thought, the Norse are often depicted as a brutish filthy rag tag bunch with little to no appreciation of finery and craftsmanship, much like dragons hoarding treasure for the sole purpose of sitting atop it. The elaborate design and obvious care put into this stirrup mount offers another version of the story, showing a people with an acute eye for detail and a keen desire to outwardly portray wealth and status. The Norse were more than capable of matching the captious tastes of their southern neighbors in the Christian kingdoms along with having their own set of skillful craft specialists. Further, social stratification was present in Norse society and most likely rather prominent. The importance of appearance of wealth and public display of status may be deduced from this stirrup mount by the amount of effort that was put into creating an ornament that would be placed onto a stirrup, hardly the most convenient or prominent place that comes to mind to boast one’s riches. But to a person on foot, the stirrup would be at eye level and present a formidable show of power and wealth. Not only would the owner of the stirrup mount be seated atop a horse already in a position of authority, but the intricacy and craftsmanship of the tack would emphasize the rider’s prestige. It’s not often that this type of finery and attention to detail are associated in the public mind with the Norse.

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