CHAPTER VI. 



WEAPONS. 



Arms of offence Defensive weapons Swords: Their rich ornamentation 

 Scabbards Belts Figurative names of swords Supernatural qualities 

 attributed to weapons Weapons as heirlooms Spears: Their figurative 

 names Axes: Their figurative names Bows and arrows : Tlirir figura- 

 tive names Mythical arrows Slings Shielcs: Their figurative names- 

 Coats of mail : Their figurative names Helmets : Their figurative names. 



THE finds, as well as the Sagas, fully corroborate the fact that 

 from the earliest times the Northmen were a very warlike 

 people. 



Their arms of offence were the sword, the axe, the spear, the 



| re.il size. 



Fig. 782. Sword-hilt of iron. The 

 pommel and hilt inlaid with bronze. 

 Norway. 



^ real size. 



Fig. 783. Hilt of iron inlaid with 

 silver. Hedemarken, Norway. 



bow and arrow, the sling, &c., &c. Those of defence were the coat 

 of mail, the shield, and the helmet. The weapons are often de- 

 scribed as being ornamented and inlaid with gold and silver. 



The hilts of the swords were of iron, bronze, or wood, often 

 inlaid and ornamented with precious metals, garnets, ivory, 



VOL. II. F 



