Anglo saxon weapons and tools

It originated with the Franks and adopted by many cultures. The head of the axe was crafted into a heavy triangular wedge and curved into a distinctive arch which bent towards the haft. Saxons would throw this axe at the enemy before an initial clash. The heavy throwing axes would demoralize the enemy, and wreak havoc on shields and men alike. Anglo Saxon Weaponry.

Search this site. Anglo Saxons wielded spears both for close-quarter and distance. One type of spear identified is known as an angon. It was closely related to the Roman pilum. The angon was used primarily as a throwing spear but could be handled with ease in hand to hand combat. The angon had a small barbed head connected to a long shank and socket.

The shank was made of metal to keep it from being chopped down to size while in use. The small head could easily penetrate shields and armor. Its barb made the spear extremely difficult to pull out, especially when imbedded in a shield. Many Anglo Saxon poems, like the Battle of Maldon reveal that before warriors would charge into battle, the lines would throw these types of spears at the enemy—especially at a shield wall.

Once the barbed spears penetrated, the shields were rendered useless due to the long and awkward length of the long spear. The Axe. Despite this surprisingly low percentage, there is still no doubt that the axe was used in warfare. Much like the spear, the axe was a relatively easy weapon to construct. The slings were also used and kept handy for emergency situations.

Most weapons of the Anglo-Saxons were made of metals. Metals such as bronze were also used in the weapons. The helmets and the shields were also made of wood in some cases. The soldiers would wear a metallic armour during the war, beneath which they wore an undershirt made of linen and a woollen tunic.

All of them were basically used to protect the body from damage. Yes, Anglo-Saxons used the bow and arrow which were usually made of metals.

They were a common weapon for the people. No evidence has been found to suggest that Anglo-Saxons used the crossbow, although, they might have used a different version of it. In many archaeologically excavated Anglo Saxon graves, the weaponry of the people has found to be buried with them. Hence, many weapons have been excavated in this manner.

Military equipment mentioned in the literature denotes a sense of nobility amongst the Anglo Saxon people. The discovery of many words from the Old English language spoken in the Anglo Saxon era indicate the existence of these weapons.

Some of the common Anglo-Saxon weapons were: the spear, the axe, bow and arrow, knives and swords. The axe was the deadliest weapon used by the Anglo-Saxons and there were several types of axes. The spear was probably the most common weapon used. The spear was among the most common weaponry of the Anglo Saxon era. Spears are iron ball-sized pieces mounted at the edge of a long wooden stick. Sizes and shapes of the spears differed from tribe to tribe.

The Anglo Saxons also used the scramsax knives for war which had a single cutting edge and typically varied in size in terms of length of the blade from 4 inches to 20 inches or 10 cm to 51 cm. The small sized instruments having a small and single curved blade was the axe of the Anglo Saxons and also used as a weapon. The rarest weapon used by the Anglo Saxons was the bow and arrow.

The bows and arrows of the Anglo Saxons were constructed in such a manner that the radius if traveled distance was meters to meters. Broadly classifying, there were three different types of defensive equipment which was put to use by the Anglo Saxons. The shield of the Anglo Saxons used to be made up of a circular disk of wood cut out from a plank and iron boss used to be fitted at the center of the shield.

For decoration purposes, iron fittings and bronze fittings were to be used on the shields of the Anglo Saxons. The knee length mail coats is another example of widely used Anglo Saxons equipment. This this also enacted as a warrior clothing itself, the mail was highly appreciated amoungst the Anglo Saxons. The only mail coat could be obtained at a grave in Sutton Hoo.

The helmets were used as a primary defensive system to protect the heads of the warriors of the Anglo Saxons. The helmets were made of strong and fine material in order to provide that support one would require from it during battles. Regarding the size, shape and design of the helmets, the Anglo Saxons were quite versatile.