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Posted by Herewordless (U14549396) on Sunday, 21st August 2011
Rory McGrath stated this in his 'Bloody Britain' (The Viking episode)
I always thought that the Vikings didn't primarily use bows and arrows, as they prided themselves with the use of longhandled/short axes and swords? Weren't bowmen seen as lowly for using hunting weapons, and not as great warriors dying and going to Valhalla?
But the Viking episode of the above programme (Ragnar Lothbrok's era, c.840's) made it sound like a medieval battle- he said that every reasonably well-off viking carried a bow, axe, sword, spear, seax and shield? Each viking battle was described as opening against the Anglo-Saxons - each army firing an arrowstorm of 10 each per man, per minute?
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Vikings prided themselves on all aspects of combat including archery. There's plenty of archaeological evidence for bows of all sorts including longbows (leading to speculation that the famous English longbow is a viking invention).
Viking sagas also have archery as a popular activity both as a sport and in war. Even famous viking such as Harald Hardrada are recorded as using bows in battles.
Link to this forum: Vikings: Opening battles with arrowstorms?
Thanks, cloudy, I always thought that the vikings- like some Anglo-Saxon sources I have read- looked down upon such weapons for war due to not being 'face-to-face' weapons aiding their heroic voyage to Valhalla?
Link to this forum: Vikings: Opening battles with arrowstorms?
I've just been reading Robert Hardy's, "Longbow", and he quotes Norse sagas where the strength of a warrior's bow was a sign of prowess. Norse bows are mentioned here:
glen
Link to this forum: Vikings: Opening battles with arrowstorms?
, in reply to message 4.
Posted by Herewordless (U14549396) on Thursday, 1st September 2011
Thanks, Glen
Maybe I've been too focused on the popular myths from films and TV productions?
Link to this forum: Vikings: Opening battles with arrowstorms?
See if you can get hold of Paddy Griffith's "The Viking Art of War". A few sagas he cites do actually agree that archery is a bit dishonourable, but most tend to lionise any form of martial prowess.
Link to this forum: Vikings: Opening battles with arrowstorms?
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