Sign in or register
for additional privileges

The Viking World

A History in 100 Objects

Austin Mason, Hannah Curtiss, Liza Davis, Jane Kelly, Kerim Omer Kadir Celik, Adante Ratzlaff, Leah Sacks, Kai Matsubara-Rall, Quinn Radich, Madeline Cosgriff, John Kennelly, Claire Jensen, Alperen Turkol, Jordan Cahn, Peter Hanes, Sarah Wang, Nick Carlsen, Ari Bakke, Phineas Callahan, Lauren Azuma, Justin Berchiolli, Rowan Matney, Ben Pletta, John Scott, Nick Cohen, Sophie Bokor, Authors
Clothing, page 7 of 21

Other paths that intersect here:
 
 
  • Money
  • Page 3 of 16 in path

You appear to be using an older verion of Internet Explorer. For the best experience please upgrade your IE version or switch to a another web browser.

Gold Armring

This particular arm-ring was excavated around Wendover, England in 1849. It was made by twisting together a thicker rod and a thinner rod of gold. The date at which this arm-ring was created and when it was inhumed are unknown, however the Norse style and presence in England would likely place it around the 10th century.
Arm-rings were common among the Norse during the Viking Age. They allowed a person to literally wear their wealth, serving not only as a status symbol but also as a way to readily and securely carry riches. The arm-ring could also be hacked into smaller pieces if a smaller quantity of wealth was needed. Because the Norse didn't have a standardized coin system, this hack-silver formed the monetary basis of trade in their settlements. Arm-rings were also often given as gifts between a noble and his retainers, as is reflected in the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf. This sort of gift exchange also enhanced the reputation of the noble who gave the rings. A noble who was known to be generous and to have profitable endeavors, and thereby gave many rings, would easily attract a strong group of retainers.1
Arm-rings are a relatively common find in Norse hoards, which makes drawing conclusions from this arm-ring difficult. If anything, its presence in England is indicative of the Norse presence in England. That being said, it is difficult to affirm to whom this arm-ring belonged – Wendover, England is right about on the border of the Danelaw, and therefore this Arm-ring could have easily been in the possession of either an Englishman or Dane. This being said, the Arm-ring would have been very valuable, and if Norse, would likely have been made from loot from a range of sources in England. At the same time, however, the fact that this Arm-Ring ultimately remained in England is perhaps indicative of the nature of the Danes not only as invaders but also as settlers, who had come to England not just for plunder but also to carve out a new life for themselves.
Comment on this page
 

Discussion of "Gold Armring"

Add your voice to this discussion.

Checking your signed in status ...

Previous page on path Clothing, page 7 of 21 Next page on path

Clothing    Money    Metalwork    Gold    England    800-1000 CE    Jewelry

Related:  Silver Neck RingHoard Find from Vester VedstedTerminal for an Open Ring BroochSilver Penny of CnutRhenish Glass BeakerAbassid CoinMaterialsBrass RingMammen AxeFinnish Bronze HoardKiaby BroochPin with ChainCup from the Halton Moor HoardLocationWhalebone PlaqueThe New ValkyrieDecorated Sword PommelSilver Figure of FreyaBirka CrucifixIron NeckletIron SeaxBurial SwordStamford Mint Silver CoinPicture StoneClench BoltBrooch in the Urnes Style from Kiaby, Skåne, SwedenNorse KeyBow Brooch in Copper and GarnetDress Pin in BronzeSilver BraceletDEMO: Circular Bracteate PendantScale and Weights from the HebridesSilver ArmletTimeDrinking Horn / TerminalGokstad ShipPenny From the Reign of Anlaf GuthfrithssonReins Guide in the Borre StyleSilver Penny from the Reign of Cnut the Great Minted in Bath, EnglandA Mold for Religious AmuletsLeather Whip, 11th centuryTreatise on Astronomy with Picture of Dragon Headed BoatRing with Inscription "To Allah"ThemeGrey Ceramic PitcherThe Ulfberht SwordAntler Comb with Matching CaseStirrupIron Spearhead with Silver EmbellishmentsEarl of Pembroke's SwordSuontaka SwordIron Hatchet Head, 9th centuryIron Sickle, 800 ADThe Silver Penny of Sven EstridsenRanvaig's CasketHelmet from Grave I at Vendel, SwedenAnimal Head Post from OsebergHemdrup StickJelling StoneThe Birka GirlCopper Alloy Mount for a StirrupBorre Style PendantOseberg ShipEigg Sword HiltPattern-Welded SwordPiraeus Graffiti LionFolding ScalesWeaving Batten