Weaving sword

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This iron weaving sword was found in a Norse woman's grave at Westness on Rousay in Orkney. She died in childbirth and was buried with a range of ornaments and tools, many of high quality, sometime between 850 and 900.

The weaving sword, also known as a weaving batten, has been reconstructed from several pieces. The socket preserves remains of a wooden handle.

Weaving swords were made of iron and bone. They were used for beating the weft or woof (the transverse threads) when weaving on upright looms. Other tools associated with textile production were also found in this grave.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-000-099-748-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: Kiloran Bay Viking Burial (multimedia essay)
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IL 732 B
• Date: Between 850 and 900
  
• Material: Iron
  Probably broken from X.IL 732 A; remains of wood in the socket
  Sword socket
  Sword, weaving / portion
  
• Dimensions: 24.30" L x 1.35" W
  6.30" L x 1.40" across open end
  
• What: Sword socket
  Sword, weaving / portion
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Rousay, Westness
  Scotland, Orkney, Rousay, Westness
  
• Event:
• Description: Iron weaving sword in several pieces, from the grave of a rich Viking woman at Westness, Orkney
  Socket, probably broken from sword X.IL 732 A, showing remains of wood, from Westness, Orkney
  
• References:
  • Graham-Campbell, James and Batey, Colleen E. Vikings in Scotland. An Archaeological Survey. Edinburgh: University Press, 1998, p 136. 
  • Ritchie, Anna. Viking Scotland London: B.T. Batsford Ltd/Historic Scotland, 1993, p 50.
• Translations:
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