Seax mad

[arnheimsdomain]

O.K., I'll admit it, my recent trip to the British Museum included an unexpected revelation. They have on display the Beagnoth, or Battersea, Seax, found in the Thames. It's a piece I've admired in books & I got ridiculously excited seeing it first hand. This is the thing I picture when I think 'sword'.

Comments

[arnheimsdomain]

Yeah, apparently it developed a patina from the Thames mud. I'm surprised it didn't dissolve.

;-)

[gwendolynflight]

coolness.

[arnheimsdomain]

Amazing how the ergonomics of a recurved design asserted itself in different corners of the globe. I'm sure it's indecent for a virtual pacifist such as myself to love a weapon design...

sighs

[gwendolynflight]

it does seem odd that a similar design would crop up in japan and northern africa, and in other areas, i'm sure. similarity of function meeting cultural exigencies common to those regions, perhaps.

no, it'd be wrong for a pacifist to use the sword. loving it is fine. ;)

[remote45]

I love the inscription! It's beautiful!!

[arnheimsdomain]

It gives you a real connection to the past to share that kind of aesthetic with the maker - across 1000 years!

:-)

[sunshinepill]

That is intensely awesome.. I wonder what it looked like when it was first made. Shining, sunlight glinting of the edges.

You guys have all the neat stuff over there. *jealous*

[arnheimsdomain]

Aye, it's quite a thought. You don't see so many modern reproductions of sword length seax - the classic Oakshott type X seems to dominate the dark age period, although I know they had single edged straight blades as well.

And yep, it is a joy to walk ancient streets with the shades of Constantine and Erik the Red. Kind of a trade off against the Rockies & Appalachian mountain music, I suppose.