Viking Names
Asgerda
Ásgerða is a predominantly West Scandinavian (Norway and Iceland) name and is a weak form of the more common Ásgerðr, which is also found in Swedish runic inscriptions. Asgarthcroft, a field name recorded in 1523 in Aberford, West Yorkshire, had Ásgerða or Ásgerðr as its first element. Both elements are common in Old Norse name-formation, the first meaning Ás- ‘a god’ and the second being the feminine equivalent of masculine -garðr, probably meaning something like ‘protection’.
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Viking Names
Skirbeck
Skirbeck, in the Skirbeck Wapentake of Lincolnshire, is a Scandinavian compound from Old Norse skírr ‘bright‘ and Old Norse bekkr ‘a stream, a beck’. These elements may have been replaced an Old English name formed from the elements scīr and bece. The stream is now dry, but in the nineteenth century it was asserted that the stream could be traced with little difficulty.
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Item
Bridle Fitting (DENO-58B097)
This fragment of cast copper-alloy bridle fitting has a central, sub-circular boss with concave indent to the reverse side. The concave shape of the broken ends of the bars indicate that this fitting originally had a loop at either end.
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Viking Objects
Globe-Shaped Weight (PUBLIC-D94974)
A globe-shaped copper-alloy weight, with a flat top and bottom each displaying 3 small ring-and-dot motifs. Weights are an important form of evidence for Viking Age commerce and the use of standards across the different economic systems within which Vikings were integrated. Many of the weights discovered, particularly ones in Ireland and those of Arabic type, suggest that a standardized system of weights existed in some areas. These standard weights, alongside standard values of silver, are what allowed the bullion economy of Viking occupied areas to function. A bullion economy was a barter economy that relied on the exchange of set amounts of precious metal in various forms, such as arm-rings or coins, for tradable goods, such as food or textiles. Each merchant would have brought their own set of weights and scales to a transaction to make sure that the trade was conducted fairly.
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Viking Objects
Reproduction Jellinge-Style Brooch
This brooch contains two S-shaped zoomorphic Jellinge-style designs around a central boss. Brooches like this one were a typical part of female dress. 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 Strap-End (DENO-083C15)
This copper-alloy strap-end, classified as Thomas Class E, is decorated with a central openwork lozenge with two perforations within each quarter surrounded by eight circular perforations. Strap ends came in various styles and were fairly common throughout the Viking world. They were used to decorate the ends of belts and to stop them getting damaged.
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Viking Objects
Copper-Alloy Mount Fragment (NLM-92AFEC)
This copper-alloy mount fragment is likely from a horse harness and is decorated with closely-spaced diagonal hatching framing for a zoomorphic openwork design of four battling beasts around a central roundel. The front of the mount contains extensive traces of gilding. The object is considered an example of Irish or Hiberno-Norse metalwork and thus is associated with Viking activities around the Irish Sea region.
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Viking Objects
Urnes-Style Strap-End (LEIC-B46A41)
This fragmentary copper-alloy strap-end is decorated with openwork zoomorphic design in the Urnes style. It has been classified as a Thomas Class G strap-end.
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Viking Objects
Buckle Frame (DENO-98937A)
This copper-alloy buckle frame has a pin rest of zoomorphic form with two widely spaced rounded ears and a rounded snout. It has been classified as a Thomas Class B Type 4 buckle and the decoration is classed as Borre style.
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Viking Objects
Ringerike Buckle (SWYOR-22FFC7)
This cast copper-alloy buckle has some elements of the Ringerike style decorating a broad, flat frame and a narrowed strap bar.