Rosenlund chamber grave with Ulfberth vikingsword. -- myArmoury.com

Niels Just Rasmussen

In 1978 a number a graves were investigated at Rosenlund, near Langeskov, Eastern part of Funen, Denmark.

11 graves were simple inhumation graves (DK: “Jordfæstegrav“) with few grave goods, whereas 1 were a chamber grave (DK: “Kammergrav“) of a high-status warrior.

Rosenlund chamber grave ~930-950 AD

Source: http://www.denstoredanske.dk/@api/deki/files/...ze=webview

The finds included (1) Sword, (2) Spear (without shaft), (3) Shield boss, (4) Sharpening stone & Knife (5) Iron Awl, (6)+(7) Knife, (8) Needle, (9)+(10) Spurs, (11) Small nails, (12) Axe, (13) Belt buckle, (14) Wooden bucket, (15) two stirrups, two strap outriggers, bridle/bit and buttons, (16) Iron lump containing two stirrups, cross shaped harness bracket, bridle/bit and strap outrigger.
The warrior himself has disappeared. All we can say is that he was buried with his riding boots with spurs on (15).

So clearly a high status guy as the mass of very high quality riding equipment indicates. Whereas you have found graves with riding equipment over most of viking age Denmark (not Falster, Møn, East Sjælland & Bornholm), the chamber graves shows a special western distribution (only two in the east, from Scania and none from Sjælland !).

Chamber graves in Viking Age Denmark:

Source: http://www.denstoredanske.dk/@api/deki/files/...ze=webview

So for the weapons you have two special finds:
The axe is a type normally found in the slavic areas and Hungary.
The Sword is an ulfberht (though not clear if +ulfberh+t or +uldberht+).

Pictures of the Rosenlund Ulfberht:

Source: http://natmus.dk/fileadmin/_migrated/pics/Ros...lswing.jpg

Pommel: [Silver ornamentation]

Source: http://www.denstoredanske.dk/@api/deki/files/...ze=webview

Full sword put together - big picture:
See: http://historiskatlas.dk/image/89/109489.jpg

Rosenlund Axe (and stirrup) - big picture:
See: http://historiskatlas.dk/image/2/60802.jpg

Furthermore close to the grave at Rønninge you have a rune stone, that can be dated 900-950 AD.
Tradition said it was removed from a mound in the area, but origin is still uncertain.
For specific details: http://runer.ku.dk/VisGenstand.aspx?Titel=R%C3%B8nninge-sten

It reads in English translation: “Sóti placed this stone in memory of Eileifr, his brother, Ásgautr Red-shield's son“ (or son of Asgautr with the red birthmark).
So maybe this “Ásgautr Red-shield“ - which surely is a very high status name - is the person in the chamber grave.

Ás = Singular (Æsir is plural). Gautr is the name of the mythological founder of the Goths, but is also regarded as one of the many Odin-names. Ásgautr could actually be seen as a kenning of Odin.
In fact Ás-Gautr as a dual mythological composite name points to warrior aristocracy.
A) In 900-950 AD - if he was from the Danish area - this would likely be a name of a highborn man connected with Odin.
B) Alternatively he had this name because he actually was from a gothic family (Väster-Götaland or Öster-Götaland) and so must have been part of a Danish Kings “Hird“. He likely received this area of Funen as reward for his service [In Denmark on Rune-stones called “heimþegi“ = Home receivers].
Furthermore famous for either a red shield (or red birthmark, even tattoo maybe?). Shame his shield hadn't survived, so we could have checked the colour of it.
Research by Magnus Källström (2014) makes it highly likely that the nickname indicates a red birthmark (neavus flammeus).

Mark Lewis · Posted: Wed 11 Feb, 2015 5:19 am Post subject:

Thank you for posting these details! Do you perhaps have any additional information regarding the dimensions of the sword?

Niels Just Rasmussen · Posted: Wed 11 Feb, 2015 8:01 am Post subject:

Niels Just Rasmussen · Posted: Wed 11 Feb, 2015 9:23 am Post subject:

This publication might have new info and picture of the Rosenlund sword:

Pedersen, Anne (2014)
Dead Warriors in Living Memory - A Study of Weapon and Equestrian Burials in Viking-Age Denmark, AD 800-1000.
PNM vol. 20:1+2 [Text + Catalogue]
Book:

Here the introduction is online !
Source: http://www.universitypress.dk/images/pdf/2840.pdf

So this publication should have 46 plates of weapons (swords, axes, spears) from the Danish area and 10 pages discussion on swords (p. 73-83).

Jerry Monaghan · Posted: Wed 11 Feb, 2015 9:48 pm Post subject:

Hi Niels.
Fantastic find thank you for sharing great news and information love the sword with the inlay on the pommel

Mark Lewis · Posted: Thu 12 Feb, 2015 5:10 am Post subject:

Thanks for the references. The "Bridging the Gap..." article was already on my list to track down next time I'm in Toronto. Maybe Pedersen will make it easy for me and put it online too! Her new book looks to be 66 Euros, with no copies in N. American libraries yet... Sad

Craig Johnson · Industry Professional

Wow have to get a copy of that, thank you for sharing. Looks like a great subject and good source.

Craig

Niels Just Rasmussen · Posted: Thu 12 Feb, 2015 11:27 am Post subject:

You are welcome Jerry, Mark and Craig.
I also have to wait a bit before I dig deep in the pocket to get the book!
But it looks like a book that no bookshelf can be without for long Laughing Out Loud

If anyone has the book I would love to hear a review of it.....

Mark Lewis · Posted: Sat 11 Apr, 2015 7:30 am Post subject:

Niels Just Rasmussen · Posted: Mon 20 Apr, 2015 2:39 am Post subject:

Niels Just Rasmussen · Posted: Sat 16 May, 2015 6:21 am Post subject:

Mark Lewis · Posted: Sat 16 May, 2015 9:02 am Post subject: