Did Vikings Use 2-Handed Axes?

The question whether Vikings used 2-handed axes is a topic often debated by historians and enthusiasts. While the term 'Vikings' is often used to denote the Scandinavian Norsemen who actively raided and traded ...

Introduction to Viking Weapons

The term 'Vikings' is often used to denote the Scandinavian Norsemen who actively raided and traded in northwestern Europe from the late 8th to the mid-11th century. However, viking is actually an action term meaning to explore and attack. The Vikings were indeed warriors with a broad range of weapons, and their choice of weapons could vary based on availability, wealth, and personal preference.

2-Handed Axes and Their Usage

The two-handed “Danish axe” was a weapon often associated with Vikings. This type of axe was named such due to its use among the Vikings. The Bayeux Tapestry depicts Harold's English housecarls using this weapon to notable effect, indicating its effectiveness in the hands of skilled warriors.

Two-handed axes were also used in later periods. For example, the Irish Gallowglasses in the 16th century and possibly later still wielded these weapons. Similarly, such axes had a long history in Ottoman Europe and the surrounding lands until the 17th century. These weapons required a significant amount of training and strength to use effectively and were often a mark of a favored warrior due to their rarity.

Other Common Viking Weapons

While 2-handed axes were used, the Vikings were also known for using a variety of weapons. Shields and spears were two of the most common and versatile weapons. Spears, lightly fortified, could be created by any blacksmith and were an essential part of battle formations and everyday weapons. Axes, of which the 2-handed Danish axe was an example, were widely available as household tools for chopping wood.

Swords were more expensive due to the complexity of their manufacture and were predominantly used by wealthier warriors and their military companions. A two-handed axe, on the other hand, required significant skill to use effectively. The wielder could not use a shield while wielding such an axe and was thus vulnerable to attacks from arrows, spears, and one-handed swords.

Conclusion

While the two-handed Danish axe was a powerful and formidable weapon used by Vikings, it was not as ubiquitous as other weapons like swords, spears, and axes. The Vikings were pragmatic and chose their weapons based on resources, availability, and personal needs. Understanding the weapons of the Vikings provides insight into their culture, society, and military prowess.

References

For a deeper understanding of Viking weapons, please refer to:

The Bayeux Tapestry Historical Accounts of Gallowglass Warfare Archaeological Findings on Norse Swords and Axes