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John McDonald




Location: Wellington.NewZealand
Joined: 21 May 2009

Posts: 7

PostPosted: Wed 30 Sep, 2009 11:32 pm    Post subject: Sparth         Reply with quote

Hi all,just wondering if the Gallowglass were useing the sparth in the early to mid 1300's if so were thay any particular shape.Any info would be appreciated.
Stick to thy gear,hold fast to thy arms till the stern fight with its weapon glitter be ended.
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Stephen Curtin




Location: Cork, Ireland
Joined: 17 Nov 2007
Likes: 110 pages
Reading list: 18 books

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Posts: 1,220

PostPosted: Fri 02 Oct, 2009 6:06 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Hi John and welcome to the forums. As far as I know the Galloglaich or Gallowglass were using large two handed axes in the 1300's. As to what they looked like, they probably looked much like the earlier Dane axes. I dont know of any examples of axes found in Ireland or Scotland at this point but I know there are ones from the fifthteenth and sixteenth centuries that I'm sure you've probably seen online. Sorry I can't be of more help Worried
Éirinn go Brách
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Elling Polden




Location: Bergen, Norway
Joined: 19 Feb 2004
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PostPosted: Fri 02 Oct, 2009 3:17 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Sparth axes are mentioned in the descrition of the scotish forces at the batle of largs (1263), in the norwegian King Håkon Håkonsons saga.
It states (roughly) that the scottish infantry was "poorly armed, mostly with spears, sparths and bows)
This contrasted to the norwegian standard equipment of shield, spear and hand weapons (as the infantry was the main force of the norwegian army). They where very impressed by the scottish knights, however.

That they had a separate name would indicate that they where at least sligthly diferent from the scandinavian broad axes.

"this [fight] looks curious, almost like a game. See, they are looking around them before they fall, to find a dry spot to fall on, or they are falling on their shields. Can you see blood on their cloths and weapons? No. This must be trickery."
-Reidar Sendeman, from King Sverre's Saga, 1201
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John McDonald




Location: Wellington.NewZealand
Joined: 21 May 2009

Posts: 7

PostPosted: Sat 03 Oct, 2009 3:47 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Thanks for the info awesome.Now to have a go at making one Big Grin
Stick to thy gear,hold fast to thy arms till the stern fight with its weapon glitter be ended.
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