~ Late 11th Century Norman Knightly Engraved Sword Oakeshott Type X ~
The sword, dating to approximately 1050-1100 A.D., has a Brazil nut shaped pommel, square in cross section tapering guard and a long wide blade with a point to the rounded tip. Both sides of the blade have near full length, wide, fullers.
In one of the fullers is a cross and the words Innomine Domini, which is Latin for “In The Name Of God”, picked out in gold.
It was purchased from the ‘Powell’ collection, he understood it was found at a river site in Wales.
~ Oakeshott Type X Swords ~
Oakeshott X describes swords that were common in the late Viking age and remained in use until the 13th century. The blades of these swords are narrower and longer than the typical Viking sword, marking the transition to the knightly sword of the High Middle Ages.
This type exhibits a broad, flat blade, 80 centimetres (2.6 ft) long on average. A very wide and shallow fuller runs down each side of the blade, fading just before the point (which is rounded). The grip’s length is consistent with earlier Viking swords, averaging about 9 centimetres (3.5 in). The cross-guard is about 18–20 centimetres (7.1–7.9 in) wide, is square in section, and it tapers towards the tips.[clarification needed] In some rare cases, the cross is slightly curved.[which?] The tang is usually very flat and broad, and it tapers sharply towards the pommel. 10th century Norsemen referred to this type of sword as gaddhjalt (or “spike hilt”), referring to the strong taper of the tang rather than some visible characteristic of the pommel. The pommel usually takes either an oval Brazil-nut form or a disc shape.
~ Condition ~
The sword is in very good stable river find condition with wavy striations from water immersion and with a deep patina. The grips have of course long gone. About half of the gold in the letting is missing thought where they were placed remains remarkably clear. The edges are mildly rough from usage and corrosion, it retains a sharp point.
~ Dimensions ~
The sword is 94 cm (37 inches) in length, the blade is 80.5 cm (31.5 inches) in length and 5=4.8 cm (1.9 inches) wide at the hilt.
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