A wide-ranging study of the significance of swords throughout the whole Anglo-Saxon period, offering valuable insights into the meaning of and attitude towards swords. Swords were special in Anglo-Saxon England. Their names, deeds and pedigrees were enshrined in writing. Many were curated for generations, revealed by their worn and mended condition. Few ended their lives as casual discards, placed instead in graves, hoards and watercourses as part of ritualised acts. Contemporary sources leave no doubt that complex social meanings surrounded these weapons, transcending their use on the battlefield; but they have yet to transcend the traditional view that their primary social function was as status symbols. Even now, half a century after the first major study of Anglo-Saxon swords, their wider significance within their world has yet to be fully articulated. This book sets out to meet the challenge. Eschewing modern value judgements, it focuses instead on contemporary perceptions - exploring how those who made, used and experienced swords really felt about them. It takes a multidisciplinary and holistic approach, bringing together insights from art, archaeology and literature. Comparison with Scandinavia adds further nuance, revealing what was (and was not) distinctive of Anglo-Saxon views of these weapons. Far from elite baubles, swords are revealed to have been dynamic "living" artefacts with their own identities, histories and places in social networks - ideas fuelled by their adaptability, durability and unique rolein bloodshed. Sue Brunning is Curator of European Early Medieval Collections at The British Museum.

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Sue Brunning;

Boydell & Brewer, Incorporated

United Kingdom and Ireland, United Kingdom

Anglo-Saxon studies, Woodbridge, 2019

Boydell & Brewer, Woodbridge, 2019

2020

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Swords Were Special In Anglo-saxon England. Their Names, Deeds And Pedigrees Were Enshrined In Writing. Many Were Curated For Generations, Revealed By Their Worn And Mended Condition. Few Ended Their Lives As Casual Discards, Placed Instead In Graves, Hoards And Watercourses As Part Of Ritualised Acts. Contemporary Sources Leave No Doubt That Complex Social Meanings Surrounded These Weapons, Transcending Their Use On The Battlefield; But They Have Yet To Transcend The Traditional View That Their Primary Social Function Was As Status Symbols. Even Now, Half A Century After The First Major Study Of Anglo-saxon Swords, Their Wider Significance Within Their World Has Yet To Be Fully Articulated. This Book Sets Out To Meet The Challenge. Eschewing Modern Value Judgements, It Focuses Instead On Contemporary Perceptions - Exploring How Those Who Made, Used And Experienced Swords Really Felt About Them. It Takes A Multidisciplinary And Holistic Approach, Bringing Together Insights From Art, Archaeology And Literature. Comparison With Scandinavia Adds Further Nuance, Revealing What Was (and Was Not) Distinctive Of Anglo-saxon Views Of These Weapons. Far From Elite Baubles, Swords Are Revealed To Have Been Dynamic Living Artefacts With Their Own Identities, Histories And Places In Social Networks - Ideas Fuelled By Their Adaptability, Durability And Unique Role In Bloodshed. Introduction: Swords In Mind -- 1. Image -- 2. Archaeology -- 3. Text -- 4. 'living' Swords -- Postscript -- Appendix: Images And Swords Referenced In The Text. Sue Brunning. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

Frontcover 1
Contents 8
List of Illustrations 9
Acknowledgements 13
Abbreviations 15
Introduction: Swords in Mind 18
1 Image 35
2 Archaeology 76
3 Text 128
4 ‘Living’ Swords 156
Postscript 174
Appendix: Images and Swords Referenced in the Text 176
Bibliography 196
Index 224

2023-08-15