Two handed Danish Sword (#1352)

The Two-Handed Danish

“Lo. The Spear-Danes in days gone by and the kings who ruled them had courage and greatness. We have heard of those princes' heroic campaigns.”

* the opening lines of Beowulf, c. 975–1010 CE

The country now known to the world as Denmark has a long and varied history as one of the oldest nations in the world. While it is currently a peaceful nation, it has its roots back past the Middle Ages to the Viking era – and beyond. In fact, the current monarch of Denmark can trace their family line back to the tenth century CE, which makes it the oldest monarchy in Europe. Like most European countries there are many surviving examples of swords and other combat artifacts, from the Renaissance on back. In order to truly appreciate the incredible weaponry that this culture devised, one must understand the tumultuous history of this great nation.

Gorm the Old is one of the most famous of the early rules of Denmark; famous in part because the current rules are his descendants. He became king after the death of his father, Harthacnut, who conquered western Denmark from the previous ruler. While Gorm’s reign was relatively short, it was also quite active, as he conquered more of modern Denmark and set the stage for his son and successor, Harald Bluetooth. Harald and his brothers led warriors from Denmark (who were cunning shipbuilders) on raids across Europe, similar to the raids that were occurring out of Sweden and Norway. Thus, the early Danes were among the peoples known to the world as Vikings, and these warlike traits were carried by their culture into the Middle Ages.

The Danes of the Viking and Medieval eras were fearsome warriors, and as such Denmark's territory expanded greatly. By the middle of the 11th century, though, the Christianization of Europe was well underway. Denmark as a nation had ceased its Viking and raiding activities, and some of its territories (including England) broke away from control. What followed was a period of strife both internal and external as Denmark lost territories, won them back, had kings assassinated, suffered civil wars and split into three parts. Finally in 1157 CE Valdemar I the Great became king over Denmark, and set in motion events that would see massive changes come over the country. Valdemar rejected to rule of the Holy Roman Empire and established Denmark as an independent country; his son Valdemar II would continue reforms by instituting the feudal system and creating a code of laws – including the unprecedented step of allowing a parliament to be created. After Valdemar II’s death the country destabilized again, losing two more kings to assassination and seeing borders shift and change.

The late Middle Ages were a time of continued strife in Denmark, defined by infighting and semi-successful military campaigns. When Valdemar IV ascended the throne in 1340 CE, though, he succeeded – though tactics both economic and military – in reuniting the sundered lands of Denmark under one banner. He spent his reign strengthening Denmark’s borders and economy and stabilizing the monarchy until his death in 1375 CE, setting up Denmark in a position of power like it had never known.

Now at its zenith, the monarchy of Denmark successfully waged war across Europe and expanded its borders well into the Renaissance. The Danes also struggled through, along with most of Europe, the civil wars that rages as a result of the Reformation – yet emerged relatively on top compared to the surrounding nations.

It is from this proud nation during the Renaissance that a distinctive sword design was developed. Replicated here by Darksword Armory as the Two-Handed Danish Sword, it was dubbed Oakeshott Type XVIIIe. Ewart Oakeshott in The Sword in the Age of Chivalry, “So many of these swords have been found in Denmark (including one which belonged to King Christian I, 1450-1481) that it may be said they are a characteristically Danish type… it does seem, on the whole, that sub-type XVIIIe is Danish” (p. 72-73). This sword represents the culmination of centuries of warfare in a culture whose people fought for land for honor, and for God. Such a pedigree as this makes the Darksword Armory Danish Two-Handed Sword a fitting piece for any student of European history.