Sword

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This iron sword was found at Torbeckhill at Ecclefechan in Dumfriesshire. It was made in Anglo-Saxon England in the 9th century, and could have made its way to Scotland via a number of means.

The double edged sword has a trilobed pommel and curved guards. The tip is lacking. The blade has been made by a pattern welding technique.

This fine sword may have been an object of trade, or perhaps the personal belonging of one of the Northumbrian Angles who controlled southern Scotland up to the Firth of Forth until into the 10th century. It may also have belonged to a Viking warrior.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-043-824-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IL 340
• Date: Between 800 and 900
  
• Material: Double edged; trilobed pommel; recurved guards; imperfect at point
  
• Dimensions: 24.50" L
  
• What:
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Dumfriesshire, Annan District Waterworks, Mein River
  
• Event:
• Description: Double-edged Viking sword with trilobed pommel and recurved guards, found on the left bank of the Mein River, Dumfriesshire
  
• References:
  • Graham-Campbell, James and Batey, Colleen E. Vikings in Scotland. An Archaeological Survey. Edinburgh: University Press, 1998, p 109. 
  • Grieg, Sigurd. Viking Antiquities in Scotland (=Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland, Part II, ed. by Haakon Shetelig). Oslo: H. Aschehoug & Co., 1940, pp 13-4. 
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