History of British costume, from the earliest period to the close of the eighteenth century / by J.R. Planché.

  • Planché, J. R. (James Robinson), 1796-1880.
Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: History of British costume, from the earliest period to the close of the eighteenth century / by J.R. Planché. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    91/518 (page 63)
    Of the splendour sometimes exhibited in the mili- tary accoutrements of this period, we have another instance in the attempt of Earl Goodwin to appease the anger of Hardicanute. He presented that prince with a magnificent vessel, on board of which were eighty soldiers, armed in coats of gilded mail, their shields embossed with gold, and their helmets richly gilt. Each of them had two golden bracelets on either arm, weighing sixteen ounces. The hilts of their swords were also of the same precious metal, and every man had a Danish axe on his left shoulder, and a spear in his right hand.23 The spear, the sword, the bow, and particularly the double-bladed axe, were their offensive weapons. They were famous for the use of the last. The Welsh bard Gruffyd ab Merredydd speaks of “ A destructive heavy fleet Of the men of Lochiyn (Denmark) With their keen-edged axes.” “ At Scarpa Skeria,” says the dying king, Ragnar Lodbroch, “ cruelly hacked the trenchant battle- axe.” “ To shoot well with the bow ” was also a necessary qualification of a Danish warrior. The Saxons had totally neglected archery. We have little or no authority for the ANGLO-DANISH FEMALE COSTUME, but can scarcely doubt its similarity to the general 23 Florence of Worcester, 403; MS. Chron.; Cotton, Tiberius, B. i. and iv.