Sword (detail)

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This is a detail of the iron sword 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 upper cross piece is in place, but has been loosened and is damaged at one end. The guard is complete but has rusted into place a bit higher than it should have been placed. The trilobed pommel is complete, but also somewhat rusted.

Swords were highly valued items at this period, even plain ones. Some were elaborately decorated. They were used as slashing weapons.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-000-099-754-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 340
• Date: Between 800 and 900
  
• Material: Double edged; trilobed pommel; recurved guards; imperfect at point
  Sword
  
• Dimensions: 24.50" L
  
• What: Sword
  
• 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. 
• Translations:
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