Making an Anglo-Saxon Sword
Kent was one of the primary settlement areas for Anglo-Saxons in the early fifth century as Roman officials withdrew from the colonial outpost of Britannia. In the latter half of the 19th century, evidence of those early settlers was discovered during the excavation of cemeteries at Sarre and Bifrons, where human remains, coins, jewellery and weapons were uncovered. There are many popular re-imaginings and interpretations of Anglo-Saxon swords, but I was shocked to discover that only reproductions of the Dover sword and Sutton Hoo sword were being made; as such, I designed a project, with the help of the Kent Archaeological Society and the University of Exeter, to research suitable swords and fittings from the Sarre and Bifrons collections held in Maidstone Museum. With this research, I aimed to produce a close copy of one of the first Anglo-Saxon swords in the country.
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The research included taking measurements of the pieces of sword that have survived, conducting ‘X-Ray Fluorescence’ (pXRF) to analyse the elemental composition of the materials, finding radiographs of the blades, which indicated the blades were pattern welded. The fittings of the sword and the handle were also researched with these methods, including the ‘cross-guard’ and pommel, finding that many were made of rather pure silver, and had re-used Roman glass set into one particular example.
Then the production started; the blade was forged with multiple types of steel that were twisted together and created that signature pattern welded form- to improve the contrast of the steels, acid was applied. Fittings were created from either casting or beating sheet silver. A selection of organic materials were also utilised to showcase the technological choices that the Anglo-Saxon smiths and cutlers would have had to make when creating such an item, including cow or buffalo horn, bone, and a hardwood for the handle, which had indentations carved for the fingers- I chose cherry wood.
The sword was put together, and reunited with the original in Maidstone Museum. It is a testament to the vast array of skills, technologies, and materials that the Anglo-Saxon craftsmen would have had to utilise in the construction of a sword.
If you are interested in seeing more of Alexander’s replica works his Etsy shop can be found here - www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/shop/affiliates
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