British Museum -- myArmoury.com

Neil Melville · Posted: Sat 10 Mar, 2012 8:18 am Post subject: British Museum

Warning to anyone intending to visit BM to see the Anglo-Saxon and Viking stuff - the galleries which normally display this are closed for refurbishment until next year (I think). But the Sutton Hoo helmet and a few other pieces have been put on display in Room 2 near the main entrance. The Roman and Late Mediaeval rooms are open as normal.
Cheers, Neil

Philip Melhop · Posted: Sat 10 Mar, 2012 9:40 am Post subject:

Correct, was there today. Quite a bit of Anglo-Saxon stuff has been moved into room 2, well worth a look.
Phil

Luka Borscak · Posted: Sat 10 Mar, 2012 10:09 am Post subject:

Noooo... I'm going to London in a week and a half and I am mostly interested in Viking stuff. Which of the most famous pieces are not on display now because of this? Where is the Witham viking sword?

Randall Moffett · Posted: Sat 10 Mar, 2012 2:13 pm Post subject:

Is this the one you are thinking of?

If so it is the BM but is not viking.

http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highligh...sword.aspx

If this one-
http://www.myArmoury.com/feature_spotx.html

I could not say it is still on display or not.

Bummer the display if closed. They closed the late medieval one the last year I was there which was really annoying as I was in London a great deal at that point.

If you'd like a great look at some medieval items go to the Museum of London as well.

RPM

Jonathan Hopkins · Posted: Sat 10 Mar, 2012 3:44 pm Post subject:

Randall,
That one was on display as of November (at least I think it is the same sword). In November the Anglo-Saxon Collection had been moved to the ground floor, but was available for viewing.

Photobucket image

And a few others in the temporary exhibit area:

Photobucket image

Neil Melville · Posted: Sat 10 Mar, 2012 4:25 pm Post subject:

Trouble is there is more than one sword from river Witham! 'Records' X 15 ( the one in Jonathan's first photo) is on display in room 40 (or thereabouts) dated later by the BM than by Oakeshott. I recommend the Museum of London too.
Neil

Luka Borscak · Posted: Sun 11 Mar, 2012 6:57 am Post subject:

I meant the Leutfrit one. So, for viking age and medieval pieces, what museums are recommended? British museum, Wallace, Museum of London, Tower?

Neil Melville · Posted: Sun 11 Mar, 2012 5:35 pm Post subject:

Hi Luka,
The 'LEUTFRIT', or 'LEUTLRIT' sword from the river Witham at Lincoln was in the A-S/Viking rooms which are now closed.
I did not see it in the temporary display in Room 2, but I was not looking for it so cannot swear that it was not there. Perhaps someone else who is visiting the BM could check for you (I am 640 km away, so can't just drop in!). Unfortunately the best Viking swords in London are in the BM, though there are a couple in the Mus. of London and one in the Wallace. The Tower now has displays of royal armours - the main collections are in Leeds. York and Glasgow have some nice A-S/Viking swords, and Carlisle has a good one - but they are a bit far from London. Sorry I can't help further.
Neil

Aed Thompson · Posted: Mon 12 Mar, 2012 4:54 am Post subject:

It's been like this for a number of months. I visited in November. Marked irritation at only being able to see one side of the Franks Casket.
Let's face it though, the early-middle-ages exhibit was never well designed or given the respect it deserved. Hopefully the new one will do a better job, when it's finished.