Swords of the Viking Age - Ian Peirce

Swords of the Viking Age by Ian Peirce, with an introduction by Ewart Oakeshott, is a beautifully illustrated reference filling a longstanding gap in English language literature on Viking Age swords. Covering the mid 8th through mid 11th centuries, this catalogue examines sixty representative swords drawn from museum collections across northern Europe.

Peirce, a lecturer and museum consultant specializing in early swords, provides detailed description and full length photography alongside close study of blade construction, pattern welding, hilt forms, and inscription classification. Oakeshott's introduction situates these weapons within the broader significance of Viking Age material culture.

An essential reference for collectors, historians, and students of early medieval sword construction and design.

176 pages | Paperback | Illustrated