Historical Weaponry – The Viking Dane Axe

#AncientWeapons"The Dane Axe was introduced by the Vikings in the 10th century, and rapidly gained popularity among the Scandinavian lands, including England, which had a heavy Danish influence in this period. Fixed onto a long shaft, and possessing a wide, sharp, hardened edge, the Dane Axe possessed a powerful cutting ability.

Back in England 1066, it was not just William the Conqueror that King Harold had to contend with, his exiled brother Tostig had managed to persuade Harald Hardrada of Norway to invade England from the north. Hardrada defeated the local nobles and took York, so Harold raced up north to deal with this new threat to his realm.

At Stamford Bridge, Harold’s aim was to catch the Viking invaders off guard with the speed of his advance northwards. To achieve this Harold used the fyrd to swell the ranks of army, the fyrd were a militia raised from the common men in the area under attack. They were expected to equip themselves which gave Harold an instant, but poorly equipped and untrained body of men.

A much more formidable part of his army were his professional soldiers called the uscarls. These fearsome Saxon warriors may have numbered as many as three thousand, clad in chainmail, carrying sword and spear, they would’ve been amongst the finest troops in western Europe.

They shared many similarities with the Viking warriors, and this is best displayed in their preferred weapon, the mighty two-handed Dane Axe!
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