Late period long-bladed seaxes? -- myArmoury.com

Jeremy V. Krause · Posted: Fri 01 Aug, 2014 6:48 am Post subject: Late period long-bladed seaxes?

Hello everyone,

I am looking to commission a bloomery iron/shear steel, narrow-bladed broken-back seax with a 20 inch (ish) blade and long grip in the style of the Baegnoth and Battersea examples. I know that the Baegnoth has been dated to the 9-10th century. I am hoping that such blade and grip forms can be found on later examples, say late 11th to early 12th. century.

I already have the typical broader laded broken-back example from this period but wanted something longer and narrower.

Given the cost I want to get the historical details down.

What do folks think?

Brian Nelson · Posted: Fri 01 Aug, 2014 8:59 am Post subject:

I'm not sure about 12th century. My understanding is the seax was only prevalent into the 11th. But I think that Owen Bush is your man for this project.

Craig Peters · Posted: Fri 01 Aug, 2014 9:08 am Post subject:

Jeremy,

You'll probably want to see this thread if you have not already: http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=30104. Long story short, we have visual evidence of seaxes being used, at least in some places, up to the close of the 12th century.

Jeremy V. Krause · Posted: Fri 01 Aug, 2014 11:41 am Post subject:

Jeremy V. Krause · Posted: Mon 04 Aug, 2014 7:40 am Post subject:

So what do folks think is think is the latest date we can give to the manufacture of the longer, narrow-bladed broken-back seax?

James Moore · Posted: Mon 04 Aug, 2014 8:22 am Post subject:

Jeremy, OK, I'm coming from this from a different angle:

Wouldnt a more pertinent question be:

Jeremy V. Krause · Posted: Mon 04 Aug, 2014 8:35 am Post subject:

James Moore · Posted: Mon 04 Aug, 2014 12:54 pm Post subject:

sorry, I hope that comment didnt come over as pedantic or sarcastic.

I was more thinking, if I were looking for evidence of something, I'd first look at working out where they would likely continue to be used, and start looking at source material from there.

you're probably not going to see AS-style broken-back saxes in many depictions of English militaries post-1066, after all, as they've been supplanted by the Normans as the military elite, and the lower classes are being heavily repressed. So where to look? Ireland? Hebrides? Maybe. I'm not sure where else.

Does that make sense?

Jeffrey Faulk · Posted: Mon 04 Aug, 2014 1:45 pm Post subject:

For some reason, given the Norwegians' liking for seaxes I would think they may be where the long seaxes prevailed, evolving gradually into the single-edged Viking sword.

That's just off the top of my head, though.

Jeremy V. Krause · Posted: Tue 05 Aug, 2014 6:04 am Post subject:

I found this thread with a handy reference using a typology/geography/chronological reference developed by fellow forumite Kirk Lee Spencer.

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=18459

In my proposed project/recreation- which is the aim of this thread- I seem to be referring to type III and/or type IV longseaxes. According to this chart both had their greatest popularity during the 9th. c. with some being made or used (not sure if they were being made) into the early 11th. c.

These were anglo-saxon weapons and different in blade shape to Nordic seaxes/longseaxes.

So does anyone know of what dates have been assigned to SPECIFIC archeological examples of the type III and/or type IV longseax.

I am wondering if certain design elements would characterize a later example of this sub-type. I presume that given a 150 year era of manufacture and use some changes occurred.

G Ezell · Industry Professional

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/download.php?id=1261
The Little Bealings seax is dated to the 10th century, and is one of my favorites. More information on it can be found here: http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?p=178901 and here: [url] http://www.bladesmithsforum.com/index.php?showtopic=18002[/url]
With a 30 inch blade it would definitely qualify as a langsax. It is the latest dated one I've found yet, but I'll keep looking.

Jeremy V. Krause · Posted: Wed 06 Aug, 2014 5:46 am Post subject:

G Ezell · Industry Professional

My dating information for the Little Bealings seax came from "Anglo-Saxon Thegn AD 449-1066" by Mark Harrison, and seems about right. I am no expert, but in England one can see a definite shift in the culture occurring with the Norman conquest, it seems this is the point where the type III-IV seax-style knife, be it sword-sized or paring knife, goes from being very popular to out-dated, and begins to die out.

One day I will make a replica of the Little Bealings seax...

J. Nicolaysen · Posted: Wed 06 Aug, 2014 5:04 pm Post subject:

Jeremy V. Krause · Posted: Thu 07 Aug, 2014 5:22 am Post subject:

G Ezell · Industry Professional

G Ezell · Industry Professional

Jeremy V. Krause · Posted: Thu 07 Aug, 2014 4:25 pm Post subject:

So here is an image provided by Mr. Ezell. This seax has an 18 inche blade. Does anyone have any more information on it or would guess a date.

I am hoping for an example or solid views on the existence of narrow bladed seaxes (basically anything but broad-seax Honey Lane type) -post 900 (950 even better)- with a blade longer than say 15 inches. So far the only example I have seen is the 30 inch little beatings example.

I need something to contrast my beautiful broken back seas made by Tod and Owen.

J. Nicolaysen · Posted: Thu 07 Aug, 2014 6:35 pm Post subject:

George Ezell said:

G Ezell · Industry Professional

Jeremy, it appears my estimate of 18 inches long was a bit off, according to this image it is closer to 13-14 inches (if it is indeed the same blade)... However, this image may also be useful in and of itself.