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According to custom, all free Norse men were required to own weapons, as well as permitted to carry them at all times. These arms were also indicitive of a Viking's social status. A wealthy Viking would have a complete ensamble of a helmet, shield, chainmail shirt, and animal-skin coat, among various other armaments. A lesser off man, however, could only afford a single weapon, and perhaps a shield. The main weapons were the Spear and the Sword , and sometimes the battle- Axe . The main defensive equipment included the Shield , typically round, and the Helmet , sometimes combined with a Chainmail shirt. WEAPONS Spear Second to the sword, the spear was the most common weapon of the Viking warrior. Spears consisted of metal heads on usually wooden shafts of two to three meters in length. The heads could measure between twenty centimeters and sixty centimeters, with a tendency of longer heads towards the later Viking age. Spear heads with wings are called ''krókspjót'' (barbed spear) in the sagas. There were two principal styles of the spear, the heavier type used for throwing while the lighter was for thrusting. The spear was used both as a throwing weapon and as a thrusting weapon. They were used one-handed just as well as two-handed, if not better (the shield could be slung to the back to free the left hand). Additionally, besides warfare and hunting purposes, spears were also used recreationally as a javelin-type contest between Norse men. Sword See Also: Viking Sword To own a sword was a matter of high prestige. A sword mentioned in the Laxdæla Saga was valued at half a crown, corresponding to the value of 16 milk-cows. The viking sword was for single-handed use to be combined with a shield, with a blade length of typically 80–90 cm. Its shape was still very much based on the swords of the Dark Ages and on the Roman Spatha , with a tight grip and no pronounced cross-guard. Battle-axe See Also: Danish axe Based on the everyday tool for splitting wood, axes specialized for use in battle evolved, with larger heads and longer shafts. Some axe heads were inlaid with silver designs. These were more brutish and sluggish than the graceful spear or fast swinging sword, but could split mail links easily. Vikings were the only warriors during medieval times to use a battle axe. In the later Viking era, there were axe heads with crescent shaped edges measuring up to 45cm, called ''breið-øx'' (broad axe). Bow and arrows Bows were used both for hunting and in battle. They were made from yew, ash or elmtrees. The draw force of a 10th century bow may have reached some 90 pounds force (400 N), resulting in an effective range of at least 250m. Only a specially trained archer could have hit a target some 250 meters away. A unit of length used in icelandic law (the ''Grágás'') called a bowshot (''ördrag'') corresponded to 480 m. Arrowheads were typically made from iron and were produced in various shapes and dimensions, according to place of origin. Most arrowheads were fixed onto the arrow shaft by a carefully produced socket at its base. Shafts were made of wood, supplemented with feathers, and carried in cylindrical quivers. The earliest find of these relics were found in Denmark, seemingly belonging to the leading-warrior class as per the graves in which they were discovered. ARMOUR Shield The shield was the most common means of defense. The Viking shield was typically round, with a diameter of ca. 80–90 cm and a thickness of 1–2 cm, made of planks of coniferous wood (fir, pine) or linden. It usually contained a hole at the center that supported a handgrip at that point. Additionally, many Vikings chose to adorn their shields with pictures and legendary and mythological figures painted on, while others could be covered in leather. They also were known to have ornamented the rails of Viking ships. Towards the end of the Viking age, the Norman Kite Shield came into fashion. Helmet The prototypical Viking helmet was made of iron and is described in the shape of a rounded cap. Its construction is based on a series of thin iron plates fastened together with leather strips. Helmets also usually had a long metal projection which protected the wearer's nose and eyes. Mail shirts Owned only by the wealthier men, these T-shaped shirts were made of iron and consisted of small, metal rings which were linked together, with either short and/or long sleeves. The mail shirt usually was about thigh-length and was worn over regular clothing or actual armor for reinforced protection from swords and arrows. Other surviving mails were found comprised of small iron plates fastened together, much like a helmet was constructed. ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS SAGA ACCOUNTS Battles
Duels
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