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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 909
EAN num: 9781843830894
ISBN number: 1843830892
Label: Boydell Press
Manufacturer: Boydell Press
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 160
Printing Date: May 24, 2007
Publishing house: Boydell Press
Sale Popularity Level: 355232
Studio: Boydell Press
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Product Description:
This new work fills a vacuum in English language studies of the swords made and used in northern Europe during the Viking Age, from the mid-eighth through to the mid-eleventh century. Given the mission of seeking out the best representative examples of the broad diversity of sword types surviving from this time, Ian Peirce, lecturer and museum consultant, travelled to museums of northern Europe and, from the hundreds of swords he handled, selected some sixty examples. While a few of these swords will be well known from inclusion in previous publications but are too important to omit, the majority are rarely seen or newly shown here. Where possible, a full-length photograph and photographs of details have been included for each example, with the illustrations and descriptions of most of the swords covering two facing pages. Eight pages of colour illustrations are included, three of which are reproductions from Lorange's unsurpassed lithographs of 1889. A brief illustrated overview of blade types and construction, pattern-welding, inscriptions and handle forms and their classification under Jan Petersen's classification is included as an introduction to the catalogue of examples which forms the bulk of this work.
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Rated by buyers -
This book is an absolute must have for anyone interested in Viking swords and sword collecting.
Rated by buyers -
This book has a wealth of information on what is otherwise a very inaccessible topic, at least in English (most books touching on Viking Age swords are often in German, Norwegian, or Swedish, which is less than helpful). Not only are the different hilt styles detailed, but there is information on blade types and pattern welded construction, not to mention the numerous colour and b&w illustrations. Finally, unlike just about every other book on the subject of swords, this actually gives important measurements; not merely length but point of balance (or center of gravity), as well.
There are a couple of minor flaws. For one, they do not discuss in as much detail as I would like the fact the pommel construction of the Norse swords (actually, an upper guard and a pommel cap), though they do mention it and at least give some inkling as to which types usually used this feature. The more serious problem is the lack of weight measurements. While not practical for more seriously damaged specimens, there was no reason not to include such for the majority of intact swords that are profiled in the book.
Other than that, an outstanding contribution to this subject. The beautiful cover picture is itself worth the ..price tag; indeed, this book would be a bargain at twice the price! I cannot emphasise enough: if you are at all interested in Norse arms & armour, you ***NEED*** this book. Period. It is not an option....
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