This page is referenced by:

• 1 2017-05-21T13:45:52-07:00 Silver Sword Ring 6 Object Page plain 2017-09-21T22:44:46-07:00 As a soldier in an army, you might be lost among the sea of people who surround you in the perspective of the outside eye. But if you perform bravely in battle, rewards from your King help you stand apart. In the Viking Age, kings would give their distinguished soldiers sword rings made out of precious metals as a mark of high esteem.^[1] Sometimes Kings would bestow both the ring and the sword but this isn’t always the case, as archaeological finds show that some rings found in swords didn’t always belong together. There is evidence on swords of attached rings as well as detached ones. Warriors weren’t the only ones who received sword rings as high standing officials would receive sword rings as a reward for their loyalty and as a sign of high office.^[2]  For Scandinavian kings, to be a good ruler was to be a “ring giver.”^[3]
  
  This circular silver sword ring along with its rivet were found with a metal detector on the Isle of Wight on August 21^st, 2005. The diameter of the ring is 14 mm and the length of the rivet with the head is 23 mm long. Both the ring and the rivet were decorated with a median ridge of patterns however, the decoration on the ring has faded away. The ring and the rivet are fitted together with the ring head of the rivet closed up to include the precious metal ring. The other end of the rivet was designed to fit in its sword’s pommel. It is primarily made out of silver but it also has a small amount of gold. However the ring is dated to be from the early Medieval Age from 475 AD and it was in the ground by 575 AD which predates the Viking Age. This type of sword ring has been found in areas like southern England, northern France, Germany, Scandinavia, and its closest looking relatives have been found in Kent.
   
  While it can be symbolism, there could be possibly be practical reasons for this decoration. Some experts believe that the ring’s purpose was to securely attach it to the sword’s scabbard. However, an impractical reason for the ring could be to attach an amulet or charm. This theory has been challenged by the fact that the amulet/charm would throw off the balance of the sword. Out of all possibilities, one has emerged to be the most likely. Archaeologists have concluded that warriors would exchange rings to bond them as “sword-brothers” which would be the way of bestowing the highest honor on their comrades.^[4] While small, a sword ring was with you when your life was thrown to chance. With priceless value and small size, the blessings of your loved ones were with you in the hour of your greatest need.