This sword was found in Eigg, an island in the Inner Hebreides in northern Scotland. It is intricately inlaid with beautiful silver designs, and is dated to the 9th century, and its hilt is bronze. It is rather common for Scandinavian men to be buried with swords and other weapons or items related to war. Most likely, this sword was a symbol of status amongst the community that held it, given its intricate inlaid design and beautiful bronze, rather than iron, hilt. The blade, of course, would be made from iron, rather than bronze, and is a separate part from the hilt.¹

This style of sword evolved out of the Roman style – you can see in the shape of the hilt the similarities to a Roman spatha, as well as the elements that will eventually evolve into the well-known knight’s steel longsword.²  Though commonly called a “Viking” sword, it was commonly in use in multiple other areas as well, particularly those provinces which had consistent trade and contact with Scandinavian provinces. The 9th century, when this was excavated, was the height of its use.

Now, this sword in particular was found in northern Scotland, which is not particularly surprising. From Harald Fairhair’s victory at Harlsfjord in 873 until Haakon IV’s expedition in 1263, the Hebrides were under Norwegian control. Other sites in northern Scotland – such as Colonsay and Oronsay, have been major pagan burial grounds, and as such invaluable to scholars intending to study the Scandinavian occupation of Scotland.³  One explanation for the fact that hilt here was found without its blade is that the sword could have been ritually “killed” before its burial, as was rather common practice amongst early Scandinavian peoples. Weapons like these can tell us quite a bit about the men who used them.

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