The Abingdon Sword-Posted in Resp. to a ? by Hugh

JOHN THURSTON is back and eager to discuss Western Martial Arts, especially relating to its history.

Moderator: JOHN THURSTON

Post Reply
JOHN THURSTON
Posts: 2445
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 1998 6:01 am
Location: MARSHFIELD, MA. USA
Contact:

The Abingdon Sword-Posted in Resp. to a ? by Hugh

Post by JOHN THURSTON »

Some pictures of the sword found at Abingdon and the reproduction:


Image

Image



Image


Image


A brief bit of research certainly shows the "replica" blade to be very close to what was left of the sword found at Abingdon, Berkshire, England.

A couple of quotes: "This decorated sword Hilt forms one of the most important examples of the late Anglo Saxons silversmith's Art."

The engraved ornament is in the Trewhiddle style named after the finds made at Trewhiddle, Cornwall"

(Sir John Evans Centenary Project Website.)

Abingdon itself claims that its abbey was "the first monastery set up in Britain, a title strongly contested by Glastonbury, which was said to have been founded by St. Joseph of Arimethea in AD 63.--(boy that guy seems to have really gotten around)---"In the fifth century the legendary St. Abban , the only man to escape the original knight of the long knives (when the Saxons massacred the British at a peace conference at Stonehenge) is said to have built himself a hermitage on Boar's Hill, just North of the Town. In later years it was----refounded in AD 675 as a religious community by Prince Hean, the Nephew of King Cissa of Upper Wessex"

This ties in with our brief discussion of 'were the Dark Ages really Dark". Well, they certainly were bloody, but this hardly qualifies the time period as more dark than the equally bloody Roman Times. Also, just viewing the sword itself manifests the existence of a deep art heritage from the period in question.

The major Kingdoms in Britain (roughly) at the time of the loss of the sword might have been: Lothian (Southern Scotland) Cimbria, Northumbria, Gwynedd (Celtic Wales) Mercia, Powys, East Anglia, Wessex, Dyfed, Gwent, Cornwall (?) and West Welsh. (Based on a map from the time of Athelstan-leader of the so called "Anglo Saxon Empire" as of 934AD.)

See "In Search of the Dark Ages" Michael Wood.

Again, just British history proves so deep as to allow one to become lost in it.

Thanks Hugh!!!
Last edited by JOHN THURSTON on Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:40 pm, edited 3 times in total.
"All Enlightenment Gratefully Accepted"
Hugh
Posts: 595
Joined: Wed Sep 06, 2000 6:01 am
Location: Virginia

Post by Hugh »

Where DID you find the pics of tha sword? I have looked and looked for them to no avail.
Trying to Walk in the Light, Hugh
1 John 1:5
JOHN THURSTON
Posts: 2445
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 1998 6:01 am
Location: MARSHFIELD, MA. USA
Contact:

Just Lucky I Guess

Post by JOHN THURSTON »

I found the pictures on the website entitled "Sir John Evans Centenary Project"

http://johnevans.ashmolean.org/british/1890-14.html

Apparently the remnants of the original sword are in the John Evans' Artifact Colection.

There are other artifacts listed and the History of Abbingdon is very interesting.

I hope this is helpful.

J
"All Enlightenment Gratefully Accepted"
Post Reply

Return to “Western Martial Arts & History”