How much do we know about those fierce warriors that terrified most of Europe? Most of us draw conclusions about the kind of activity of these sea robbers, relying only on popular TV shows and films. But in order to fully understand their values and worldview, it is important to know information not only about glorious battles, from which the Vikings almost always emerged victorious, but about weapons that help them in battles.
History of Viking Battle Axes
At the moment, it is known that axes were in the military arsenal, as a rule, among the less wealthy Vikings. After all, initially they used such axes as tools to create a variety of household products from wood. The social status and status of the Normans were largely determined by the weapons that a warrior could afford. So, the sword stood at the top of this hierarchy, because with its help the Viking emphasized his own security and good material wealth. Immediately behind the sword were all other types of weapons, whether it was a spear, an ax or a bow. It is worth noting that despite the status, the spear was most often the main weapon in the hands of an ordinary Viking. After all, the sword is not just a beautiful toy, which emphasizes the social situation. They need to be able to use, to perfectly master military equipment.
An ax, in comparison with a sword, is less difficult to use, but also requires the owner to have knowledge and honed skills. It was the easiest to use a spear, so this particular type of weapon was most often found in the hands of an average warrior. So the widespread belief that the ax was the main weapon in the hands of the Normans is no more than a myth.
If the sword emphasized the high class of the warrior, then the ax is diametrically opposite. Thus, if the Viking preferred an ax to a sword, then most likely this man was an ordinary worker, owning only a small household. Shipbuilders also actively used the ax. They made and repaired the Drakkars (Viking ships). This profession was very important and necessary, and shipbuilders were highly valued by society.
Naturally, there were exceptions, because there were such Vikings for whom the ax was the most valuable and main weapon in battle, while they occupied a rather high social status and owned large tracts of land. It is worth saying that such a decision was quite adventurous on the part of the soldiers. After all, as a rule, weapons were clasped with two hands, which excluded the possibility of using a shield. Consequently, the Viking who preferred to use the ax in battle was more at risk than the Viking who preferred the sword. So, in order to avoid a bad end, the warrior who chose the ax as his main weapon paid great attention to defense training.
Later, this type of weapon was greatly modified. Special axes began to appear, which were intended exclusively for battles. The ax handle was already not so wide and massive, and the blade was forged thinner, which made the ax easier and easier to use, compared with its old version.
Types of Axes
Currently, researchers know only two of the most popular types of axes used by the Vikings:
The name of the ax comes from the Scandinavian word “skeggox”, where “skegg” is a beard and “ox” is an ax. This type of weapon has been used since about the seventh century. The shape of the ax had a blade drawn down (apparently, therefore, “bearded”). The ax could be used not only as a chopping tool, but also as a cutting object, which allowed it to be used in different ways during the battle. The ax handle was short enough and the blade narrow. The weight of the ax was small, about five hundred grams. This ax was most often used by Vikings who rely on speed and dexterity rather than strength. However, it cannot be said that he weakly pierced armor. The wounds inflicted by this type of weapon, as a rule, could not be completely healed, only in very rare cases did such wounds heal.
Most often, bearded axes were used in forest battles when it was necessary to quickly injure the enemy. Such axes were worn in special leather cases, behind a belt. A bearded ax is a pretty good choice for a warrior. It combines the most advantageous qualities that are so highly valued in a battle when the life of a Viking depends on the decision made. Its properties, such as lightness and at the same time penetrative power, create an additional opportunity for “scope”, which is so important in a battle. Later, such axes spread and gained great popularity in Russia. Moreover, the old Russian axes, in contrast to the Viking weapons, were two-handed, double-sided and two-blade, making them more universal. The Slavic warrior often himself made such an ax according to the designs of comrades who were passed from hand to hand.
A rather frightening and formidable weapon. To use such a unique ax, it was necessary to own a very large and complex technical base, but this is only a small part of what was required of the warrior. As a rule, this ax was owned by Vikings, who have a large physical mass, because the weapons reached a length of two to three meters and weighed up to one and a half kilograms. Such an ax was used to strike “to defeat, ” that is, performed with one stroke. Only in the event of a bad hit did the enemy manage to survive. But real warriors rarely missed, because from the very early years, the Viking fathers taught the art of owning an ax.
Also, the Danish ax was used as a tricky way to weaken the enemy, because when the blow was applied to the shield, the ax stuck in it, thereby creating additional cargo. Thus, the enemy either instantly got rid of the protective equipment, or continued the battle with the enemy ax in the shield. All this made him slow down in his actions and lose physical strength in battle. After some time, the enemy became easy prey for the Viking.
However, such a significant minus as a very low ability to protect is a weak spot and an Achilles heel for any Norman who owns a Danish ax. After all, he was a rather heavy and voluminous weapon, which was difficult to maneuver in a tough confrontation. However, later Brodex began to be used in European countries to protect borders from enemy raids.
Often, the Vikings carved drawings on the Danish ax, which reminded them of their home, family and main life values. Some particularly creative Normans themselves made this type of edged weapon. No wonder in Scandinavian mythology it was believed that only a makeshift ax could bring success in battle. Therefore, many Vikings tried to create it themselves. However, at that time only the most skilled craftsmen, who were familiar with old military weapons, knew how to work with a blade and apply unusual patterns to the handle, could make an ax. Sometimes the manufacture of an ax was entrusted to a specially trained master blacksmith, who was familiar with various varieties of axes, knew their typology and could easily craft military weapons decorated with a beautiful pendant. Moreover, especially for the Vikings, masters also often made pendants, on which they placed mini-copies of their axes.
