Utilized by both the Germanic and Scandinavian peoples of northern Europe, The Seax burgeoned into prominence within the vacuumed remnant of the roman empire. In the absence of legion secured boarders, Germanic tribes generically refereed to as "Saxons" dramatically increased their incursions into the post Roman British isles. Some seizing eastern parts of the island by force, while others allying themselves with the resident Romano-British peoples, this rapid migration between the 4th and 8th centuries consolidated the use of the seax within many cultures, and by the early medieval period (AD500-AD1100) the seax was the most common sidearm of Saxons, Vikings, and.. the filthy fucking Franks alike.
North Korean invasion of Bongland circa 2067
Oftentimes in limbo between knife and sword, the Seax can be classified as a single edged, broad fighting blade with a strong back and wedge shaped cross section. regional variations of the blade include a less pronounced wedge in Frankish and Scandinavian examples. Smaller "pen-knife" examples of the weapon can be as short as 3 in/7.5cm, while the largest variants an upwards of 30 in/76 cm. These larger forms were known as "langseax" by viking spearmen who seemed to favor them over a more costly sword, while the average sized 6in/15cm blade was referred to as the hanseax. The grip of the knife was often constructed of wood or bone and featured no guard. As with many blades, the seax could be very ornate, inlaid with bronze copper and silver or perhaps the owner's name.
larger seax hybrid between handseax and langseax
Frankish pattern welded seax
While the longevity and variation of the seax can attest to a utilitarian role, the blade has been historically referenced in combat numerous times.
The Tale of Thorstein✡ Rodstroke describes two men dying from fatal stab wounds dealt by a seax, while a saga's account of the Battle of Brávellir recounts Swedish king Harald War-Tooth charging his enemies with a seax in each hand, slaying hordes of foes before falling to a skull shattering axe blow.
In conclusion, the seax was a blade design that stood the test of time. While classified as a fighting knife, it's relatively cheap construction combined with it's flexible applications ensured this knife's lasting impression in northern Europe.
I leave you with one last bit comparing the seax to the bowie
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