Viking Objects
Jellinge Style Die (LCNCC:1999.27)
This copper alloy metalworker’s die was used for manufacturing decorated pressblech foils. It features an intertwined zoomorphic design in the Jellinge style which was a popular Scandinavian style in the tenth century.
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Viking Objects
Gold Finger-Ring (NLM-FC0D13)
A gold finger-ring featuring punched ring and dot decoration. The arms of this ring would have likely been twisted together which is a typically Scandinavian technique.
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Viking Objects
Frankish Coin Pendant (WMID-24C235)
The coin that this pendant is made from was produced in North West France around 70-60 BC and is attributed to the Suessiones tribe. Later on the coin was adapted for use as a pendant and decorated with gilding and stone inlays. The colour and style of inlay give this pendant an early medieval dating and it is known that sometimes Iron Age coins were reused as pendants in Frankish jewellery. It is possible that it made its way to England prior to Viking incursions but it is equally likely that the Vikings brought this pendant with them as plunder after raiding in Frankia.
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Viking Objects
Enamelled Irish Mount (LIN-9BCF25)
This item is a fragment of an Irish Early Medieval enamelled copper-alloy mount or strap-end. It is decorated with a rectangular perimeter of reserve metal which forms a ‘T’ shape. The recessed areas around and within it appear to contain degraded enamel. It is possible that it made its way to England prior to Viking incursions but it is equally likely, especially considering the Viking presence at Torksey, that the Vikings brought this mount with them as plunder after raiding various areas in Ireland.
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Viking Objects
Ring-Headed Pin (SWYOR-E57351)
The ringed pin was a form of dress fastener which developed as a result of contact between artisans in the Celtic West and sub-Roman Britain. The type became very popular in Ireland, being ultimately adopted by the Hiberno-Norse during the Viking period. In form it comprised a pin with a ring inserted through a looped, perforated or pierced head.
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Viking Objects
Gilded Disc Brooch (NLM-783BCB)
This brooch is classed as Weetch Type 4 and resembles Viking-Age Terslev-style brooches. It is decorated with interlaced double strapwork and a cabled border and retains some traces of gilding. 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 Toilet Implement (LIN-756E6A)
This early medieval socketed anthropomorphic object possibly depicts the Norse god Odin, who wears a bird-headed helmet or headdress. This object belongs to a group of similar figurines, all with bird-headed helmets or headdresses, which have been found in England, Sweden, Gotland, Denmark, Russia, and Belgium. Evidence from cemeteries demonstrates this type of object is strongly associated with women, and is probably an import from Sweden dating to the later seventh century, demonstrating contacts with Scandinavia before the Viking Age. While the exact function of this object remains unclear, parallels suggest it is perhaps a toilet implement.
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Viking Names
Ali/Alli
It is not possible to determine whether the names in Lincolnshire derive from Áli or Alli so all information for both names appears on this page. Áli is a diminutive name and occurs in Old West Scandinavia but it is not really frequent although it occurs as the first element of Norwegian place-names. It also appears in a few Danish place-names, but is not found in documents except for the Latin form Anulo. Alli is a short form of a compound name in Alf- or Al-. It does not occur independently in Old West Scandinavian but is found in a few Norwegian place-names. There are several instances in Old Danish including Latin Allo and a number of runic examples in both Denmark and Sweden. Áli or Alli is the first element of the place-names Aylesby, Althorpe, and Ailby in Lincolnshire.
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Viking Objects
Scabbard Chape (NLM-5BD697)
The incomplete openwork tongue-shaped front plate of this chape is decorated with at least six asymmetrical apertures and resembles similar chapes with ‘Birka Falcon’ decoration.
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Viking Objects
Rune Inscribed Rib (LCNCC : 1999.103.104)
Runes were used not only for monumental inscriptions, or to mark ownership of valuable objects, but also in more informal contexts. In this case the animal bone suggests an after-dinner pastime after a good meal in the Anglo-Scandinavian trading centre of Lincoln. The runes read ——l × hitir × stin × … Only two words of the Old Norse inscription can be read with certainty, and even so they are ambiguous. One possible interpretation is ‘[someone] is heating a stone’ the other is ‘[someone] is called Stein’. The bone is fragmentary, but the inscription may never have been intended to make much sense. The object dates from around the 10th century. It is one of only three runic inscriptions from the East Midlands.
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Viking Objects
Trefoil Brooch (LEIC-A43E83)
Trefoil brooches were characteristically Scandinavian women’s wear. However, 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. This example was found near Lincoln. For more information on Scandinavian jewellery in England check out our blog: Brooches, Pendants and Pins: Scandinavian Dress Accessories in England.