Tim, Very nicely spoken, and well put. Yet, I would suggest this Trewhiddle Christian and I created to be more from the Ashdown-Maldon era, rather than
Stamford Bridge. The "L" Type hilts are presumed to be circa 9th to 10th centuries, as you may already know. As such, they were high end Thegn, or Ealdorman blades. Not the weapon of the ceorl, who must have contented themselves with spear and
seax. This south Saxon blade is indeed a Sword of Sagas. Christian and I are both keen to get going on our Gilling West project. But, by the time 1066 had rolled around these beautiful, ornate weapons had given way to brazil-nut, tea cosy, and wheel pommels. A pity really, but simplicity had won over the artistic. Albert