The Sword in Anglo-Saxon England: Its Archaeology and Literature - Hilda Ellis Davidson

The Sword in Anglo-Saxon England: Its Archaeology and Literature by Hilda Ellis Davidson is a foundational study exploring the sword's significance as both weapon and symbol in the Anglo-Saxon world. Drawing on archaeological evidence, including a detailed study of swords recovered from peat bogs, alongside literary sources, Davidson builds a comprehensive picture of how the sword functioned within Anglo-Saxon material culture and imagination.

Davidson, a respected folklorist and scholar specializing in Germanic and Norse religion and culture, brings an interdisciplinary approach that bridges hard archaeological data with literary and mythological context. This work remains a frequently cited source in later scholarship on early medieval edged weapons, including Ewart Oakeshott's own research.

An essential companion for anyone studying early medieval sword design, symbolism, and the archaeology of Northern Europe.

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