The Abingdon Sword

The Abingdon Sword is a late Anglo-Saxon iron sword and hilt of the late 9th or early 10th century.[1]

The sword was found in the 19th century at Bog Mill (possibly Buggs Mill, on the River Ock), near the town of Abingdon on the River Thames in Oxfordshire, England.[2] It is held in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, north of Abingdon.[3]

The Abingdon Sword has silver mounts inlaid with niello in the Trewhiddle style.[4] The sword's guard has interlaced animal motifs.[2] Ornamentation includes symbols of the Evangelists. The pommel of the sword has two animal heads for decoration.

See also

References

  1. ^ Wilson, David M.. Some Neglected Late Anglo-Saxon Swords. 9. Archaeology Data Service, AHDS, UK. pp. 32–54. http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-769-1/ahds/dissemination/pdf/vol09/9_032_054.pdf. Retrieved September 12, 2011. 
  2. ^ a b Birkett, Thomas (11 November 2010). "The Abingdon Sword". Woruldhord collection. University of Oxford, UK. http://poppy.nsms.ox.ac.uk/woruldhord/contributions/634. Retrieved September 12, 2011. 
  3. ^ "Sword fragment and hilt (The Abingdon Sword)". Ashmolean Prints. Ashmolean Museum, UK. http://www.ashmoleanprints.com/image/322220/sword-fragment-and-hilt-the-abingdon-sword. Retrieved September 14, 2011. 
  4. ^ Graham-Campbell, James. "Some New and Neglected Finds of 9th-century Anglo-Saxon Ornamental Metalwork". Notes and News (Archaeology Data Service, AHDS, UK) 26: 144–151. http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-769-1/ahds/dissemination/pdf/vol26/26_144_151.pdf. Retrieved September 12, 2011.