AXES. 



89 



One of the earliest Wins of this weapon is probably the one 

 here represented (Fig. 865), for it was found with a bronze 

 sword, and shows the transition that was taking place, when 

 iron was to supersede bronze in the making of weapons. 



Thev also had peculiar figurative names 



J O 



The fiend of the shield. 

 The witch of the battle. 

 The witch of the armour. 



The witch of the helmet. 

 The witch of the shield. 

 The \volfof the wound, &c. 



The most celebrated axe in later times was that of Skarphedin, 

 called Kimmugyg (the war-witch). 



Fig. 865. Iron axe, ^ real size, probably of early iron age, found in a small 

 stone cist with a short bronze sword and burnt bones. Gotland. 



Fig. 866. A little less than J real size. 

 Iron axe, with a celt, a two-edged sword 

 with hilt, a spear-head, an axe, two 

 blades of knives, a horse-bit, a scythe- 

 blade, &c., all of iron. Norway. 



r'ig. 867. A little less than real size. 

 Iron axe, in a half-ruined tumulus, with 

 two other axes, a horse-bit, and a little 

 bell. Norway. 



"The jurl (Hakon) asked (Hallfred) who he was? He said : 

 ' I am an Icelander ; but my errand is. lord, that I have com- 

 posed a song about you, and wish you to listen to it.' The 

 jarl replied : 'Thou lookest to be a man who would be bold in 



