Viking Objects
Lead Thor’s Hammer Pendant (CM_569_2010)
A lead Thor’s hammer pendant with a trapezoidal head and pierced base. These may have been worn to show devotion to the god Thor, or to secure the god’s protection, although there is little evidence to support this interpretation. Pendants like this have been found made of lead, copper alloy, silver and gold, showing that many different strata of society could have worn them. For more information on Scandinavian jewellery in England check out our blog: Brooches, Pendants and Pins: Scandinavian Dress Accessories in England.
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Viking Objects
Pendant (LEIC-C58A13)
This copper-alloy pendant depicts an individual holding a shield and a sword. Similar designs have been seen in pendants from southern Scandinavia which are generally identified as valkyries, though they could represent other mythological figures. The closest parallel in England is an example from Wickham Market, Suffolk. .
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Viking Objects
Lead-Alloy Gaming Piece (DENO-7DABAC)
Lead gaming pieces like this one are a common find throughout the East Midlands, including the Torksey Viking camp. Gaming pieces would have been used to play games such as hnefatafl or Nine Men’s Morris, both of which are known to have been played by Scandinavians throughout the Viking diaspora.
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Viking Objects
Trefoil Brooch Fragment (CM.1823_2008)
A fragment of a Scandinavian copper-alloy trefoil brooch with a simple line pattern following its general outline. While of Scandinavian design, many examples found in the East Midlands were probably made in the Danelaw, and may have been copies of Scandinavian styles, instead of being imported from Scandinavia. For more information on Scandinavian jewellery in England check out our blog: Brooches, Pendants and Pins: Scandinavian Dress Accessories in England.
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Viking Objects
Copper-Alloy Borre-Style Brooch (SWYOR-A257A6)
A Scandinavian copper-alloy Borre-style convex disc brooch decorated with three inward-looking Borre-style animal heads separated by wedge-shaped arms. Identified as Jansson type II A1 by Jane Kershaw. For more information on Scandinavian jewellery in England check out our blog: Brooches, Pendants and Pins: Scandinavian Dress Accessories in England.
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Viking Names
Gunnolf
Gunnólfr is a common name throughout Scandinavia. Although it is not well attested in the Icelandic sagas, there are many instances of the personal name in medieval Scandinavian documents as well as in the Icelandic quasi-historical text Landnámabók ‘The Book of Settlements’, which recounts the settlement of Iceland. The personal name also occurs in its Old East Norse form, Gunnulf, as the first element in the place-name Gonalston, Nottinghamshire.
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Viking Names
Thorstein
Þorsteinn is a Old Norse male personal name from Þór- ‘the god’s name Þórr’ and -steinn ‘stone’. The name was very common in Norway and Iceland throughout the medieval period. It was also found in Sweden and Denmark, including in the runic form þurstin. Additionally Þorsteinn is the most common name of Scandinavian origin in Normandy. The personal name is also the first element in the place-name Thrussington, Leicestershire.
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Viking Names
Thord
The Old Norse male name Þórðr is one of the commonest in Scandinavian, particularly Norway and Iceland. While it is not especially common in English place-names, it is found in Torworth, Nottinghamshire.
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Viking Objects
Equal-Armed Brooch (SWYOR-50BAF5)
A fragment of a Viking Age equal-armed brooch found at Harworth Bircotes, Nottinghamshire. This fragment is the terminal of the brooch and resembles brooches found at Birka, Sweden. Its decoration consists of a Borre style animal with gripping arms or legs. This is one of only six Scandinavian, Viking period equal-armed brooches recorded in England. For more information on Scandinavian jewellery in England check out our blog: Brooches, Pendants and Pins: Scandinavian Dress Accessories in England.
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Viking Objects
Sword (1989-59/7113)
This Viking Age sword was found in Grave 511 at Repton where the invading Viking Great Army had their winter camp in 873/4. When it was found, the sword had traces of a wooden scabbard attached to the rusted blade. Analysis showed that the scabbard was lined with fleece and covered in leather. The grip was wooden and covered in a woollen textile.