Kirkblane Axe

Kirkblane, Caerlaverock
This axe was found at the chapel site of Kirkblane, a mile or so norrth of Caerlaverock.    The axehead is of iron, and its size and shape clearly show it to be a from a Viking two-handed axe (also known as a dane-axe, as the Danish Vikings under Sweyn and Knut are said to have introduced its use into Britain).   It would have been on the end of a five-foot haft, probably of ash. Recent tests at the Defence Research Labs have shown that this sort of axe is doing just over 110 mph at point of contact, and contemporary authors describe it 'cutting through the shield and the arm holding it' in a single blow.
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Kirkblane, Caerlaverock
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