A Migration period sword was a type of sword popular during the migration period (4th to 7th centuries AD). This sword type shows a transition from the Roman era Spatha to the Viking sword-type of the Early Middle Ages, which eventually gave rise to the arming sword.
The blade is normally smooth or shows a very shallow fuller, and often has multiple bands of pattern-welding within the central portion. The handles were often of perishable material and there are few surviving examples.
Surviving examples of these Germanic Iron Age (Vendel period) swords had blades measuring between 28" and 32" (710 and 810 mm) in length and 1.7" to 2.4" (45 to 60 mm) in width. These single handed weapons of war sported a tang only some 4" to 5" (100 to 130 mm) long, and had very little taper in their blades ending in usually rounded tip.
Read more about Migration Period Sword: Names and Terminology, Early Development, Krefeld Type, Gold Hilt Spatha, Ring-sword
Famous quotes containing the words period and/or sword:
“The route through childhood is shaped by many forces, and it differs for each of us. Our biological inheritance, the temperament with which we are born, the care we receive, our family relationships, the place where we grow up, the schools we attend, the culture in which we participate, and the historical period in which we live—all these affect the paths we take through childhood and condition the remainder of our lives.”
—Robert H. Wozniak (20th century)
“Your master Robin Hood lies dead,
Therefore sigh as you sing.
Here lie his primer and his beads,
His bent bow and his arrows keen,
His good sword and his holy cross:”
—Anthony Munday (1553–1633)