Vikings were Scandinavian warriors who raided the coasts of Europe and the British Isles from the 9th century to the 11th century. During the Neolithic period the Scandinavians had lived in small autonomous communities as farmers, fishermen, and hunters. At the beginning of the Viking Age they were the best shipbuilders and sailors in the world and they later ventured as far as Greenland and North America. At the height of the Viking Age, the typical Viking warship, the long ship, had a high prow, adorned with the figure of an animal, and a high stern. It seated up to 30 oarsmen and had an average crew of 90. Its square sails were perpendicularly striped in many colors, and the entire ship was vividly painted and elaborately carved. On both sides of the ship hung a row of painted round shields. This is the most familiar Viking ship, but many other types varied according to purpose and period. Among the causes that drove the Vikings from their lands were overpopulation, internal dissension, quest for trade, and thirst for adventure. Many local kingdoms came into existence in Scandinavia, and from them stemmed the kingdoms of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. The Vikings' religion was paganism and their mythological and heroic legends form the content of Old Norse literature. The Viking Age ended with the introduction of Christianity into Scandinavia, with the emergence of the three great Scandinavian kingdoms, and with the rise of European states capable of defending themselves against further invasions. Many Vikings settled where they raided. The Scandinavian raiders in Russia were known as Varangians, their leader Rurik founded the first Russian state and elsewhere the Vikings came to be known as Danes, Northmen, Norsemen, or Normans.
Our version of Norse Weapons has an overall length of 40 inches. It is equipped with a sculpted handle for tight grip and 29 sharp piercing metal spikes. Each spike is hand implemented and vary in height for a truly authentic appearance.
