Sacrificial sword straddled Christian-Viking divide

At first glance, it appeared to be just like any other medieval weapon, however the true significance of this sword has since come to light.

A beautiful blade. Secret symbols. A glittering pond. It’s the stuff of legends.

Dredgers working on the Korte Linschoten River in the Dutch region of Utrecht made an unexpected discovery in the mud: a metre-long sword.

At first glance, it appeared to be just like any other medieval weapon.

It had a broad double-edged blade. The wide cross-guard was straight and simple. And the prominent counterbalance on the pommel was shaped like a Brazil nut. All were features iconic of swords made between 1050 and 1150AD.

This sword was an exceptionally well-preserved example.

Then, during cleaning, its true significance came to light.

Exquisitely etched designs had been embedded into its blade.

Both sides feature copper circles bracketed by sets of three straight lines.

They were simple yet powerful symbols.

But the circles contain emblems belonging to diametrically opposed worlds.

One side displays a circle divided by a multiform cross. Historians have identified it as a “Sonnenrad” (Sun Wheel), a sacred sign typically found in medieval churches.

The circle on the other side contains five interlaced squares. This geometric design is an “Endless Knot”, a Viking and Germanic symbol of unwavering loyalty and the interconnectedness of all things.

This poses the question: why were they on the same sword?

the Linschoten sword. Picture: Supplied

The decoration on the Linschoten sword.

Clash of cultures

The era of the Vikings was ending. The Celtic tribes had merged into feudal states. The march of Roman Catholicism was relentless.

But some were clinging to the old ways. And not all Christians regarded every nonbeliever to be a barbarian.

The Linschoten Sword dates from an era when the Bishop of Utrecht ruled the region around the nearby town of Montfoort. Neighbouring Holland and Flanders were being unified under Counts.

The new European nations were unified enough to mount the First Crusade, resulting in the bloodbath that was the conquest of Jerusalem in 1099.

But scattered here and there were communities that still clung to the old ways. The old gods were weakened. But they were not dead yet.

Archaeologists believe the Linschoten Sword was forged to straddle both worlds.

“This sword tells the story of a time when symbolism and spirituality were deeply intertwined, and when a simple design could transcend centuries,” a Montfoort district spokesperson said. “Its refined craftsmanship and symbolic depth make it not only a historical relic, but also a work of art that reflects the cultural complexity of early medieval Europe.”

But it was even more than that.

Conservators comment that the sword does not appear to have been ever used. Nor was the blade sheathed.

That’s led to speculation it was specifically made as a sacrifice. That it was cast into the river as part of a ceremony or sacred vow.

“Medieval swords are very personal possessions,” a conservator statement reads. “They were buried with the owner or ‘sacrificed’ in the water. It is, therefore, a golden opportunity when one surfaces centuries later”.

A medieval sword uncovered in the Netherlands.

Cutting-edge technology

The medieval city of Utrecht was a centre of power in what is now the Netherlands. It was strategically positioned on a trade hub radiating out from a crossing of the Rhine River.

It was a crossroads of culture, industry, religion and political power.

And swords were the primary status symbol of the era.

They were expressions of status and strength. But they were also personal jewellery items, broadcasting their owners’ wealth and sophistication.

Swords were labour-intensive. Especially good swords.

The Linschoten sword. Picture: Supplied

Forging strong and flexible blades required months of effort from a master in metallurgy. Only then could the expensive artisans be hired to embellish the fully functional weapon.

This is why they tended to be owned only by nobles, influential church figures, and the wealthy landholder class that produced the era’s knights.

A sword’s significance would quickly grow beyond its expense.

Noble families would treasure particularly fine examples as heirlooms, symbols of the authority and continuity of their rule. Many were even given names.

It’s a reverence still evident in the legends of Excalibur, Durandal, Gram, Zulfiqar and Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi.

The Linschoten Sword’s state of preservation is attributed to the lack of oxygen in the clay soil that encased it. But it began to corrode the instant it was exposed to the air.

So, it was immersed in a chemical bath for 10 weeks to remove the salts that the metal had absorbed. It was then cleaned again, dried and treated to stabilise the steel.

A year later, it’s ready for display.

The sword has been donated to the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (National Museum of Antiquities) in Leiden, where it is now on display.

Jamie Seidel is a freelance writer | @jamieseidel.bsky.social

Originally published as Sacrificial sword straddled Christian-Viking divide