Sword
This particular sword was found in Colchester County, England with a metal detector. The weapon was found in mud and clay and was retrieved from a river. Due to the amount of time it is has remained buried, it’s incomplete thanks to natural effects. The sword’s pommel and rivets are missing and its grip is completely rotted away and its grip used to be a bone or alternative organic material. The sword weighs a total of 442 grams (.9 pounds). The iron blade is heavily damaged and the point is completely gone. There is also a tear in the middle of the blade that is 33 mm in length. The blade has a slight 10 degree bend 75 mm from its lower guard. While this instrument of war might’ve looked magnificent in its prime, it is now brown and dark orange with heavy corrosion. X-rays were conducted on sword to find inscriptions on its guards but no such inscriptions were found. The weapon is dated to be from the 9th century and is believed to have been manufactured by Rhenish Smiths as they were known to produce fine blades.
One possible origin of this weapon is explained through the campaign of King Edward the Elder when he attacked Colchester and recaptured the Danelaw territory, ignoring the Treaty of Wedmore that had already been signed. The recapture of Colchester was in 917 and although it post-dates this particular sword, there has been evidence that Vikings gave their swords to their sons as Norse legends give the name “Ancient Heirloom” to swords.[2] It’s intriguing to think that this sword could’ve been part of the Colchester battle. However, the reason as to why the sword ended up in a river remains a mystery. Perhaps the owner fell and his sword ended up in the river or the sword was deliberately thrown in as a sacrifice to the Norse Gods for assured victory.
