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Bridle Bit

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Bridles were used by the vikings to ride horses, however horses were not exclusively ridden for travel. This is an incomplete cheek piece for a copper alloy Anglo-Scandinavian bridle. It dates to the 11th Century AD. It has a flat triangular plate that extends to a rounded tip, which suggests it would fit to an animal snout. It is engraved with opposed spirals, which is a common motif in late Viking art, as well as an engraved border, while the reverse side has no decorations. It was found in Hampshire, England via metal detector, in a depth less that a quarter of a meter.[1]

Bridle bits were used to control the movement of the horse’s head, pressing on four of seven pressure points on the horse’s head. Thus forcing the horse to move the way the rider wants. Horses were mostly used for transportation, but in some viking communities, like in Iceland, horses were also used for entertainment. While racing was one form of entertainment, horse fighting was another. Racing was, like it is now, a source of pride for the owner of the winning horse, and a source of money. Bets were placed for the fastest horse. Horse racing was commonly referenced in sagas and was used to gain political support and to settle civil disputes. Whosever horse won, would win the argument. The horses were provoked towards the other with a stick or whip while a man held its tail. The goal of the fight was to get the horse to knock over the man holding the tail. Evidence of horse fighting appears in Icelandic sagas, these forms of entertainment aren’t as apparent in other viking societies. Since this bridle bit was found in England, where there is less evidence of racing and fight, it was most likely used in transportation, for raiding and also travel.[2]

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  1. Travel Celeste Tường Vy Sharpe
  2. 1000-1200 CE Celeste Tường Vy Sharpe
  3. Copper alloy Celeste Tường Vy Sharpe
  4. England Celeste Tường Vy Sharpe
  5. Late Viking Age Celeste Tường Vy Sharpe

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