Iron Age Weapon Sacrifice in the Eye of the Germanic Warrior | Ancestral Iron

During the Iron Age and Early Medieval Period, weapons were sacrificed as ritual deposits in wetland areas by Germanic and Celtic cultures, Anglo-Saxon and Romano-British alike.

Huge ritual weapon deposits have been found at Nydam, Thorsberg, Vimose and Illerup Ådal. To those who sacrificed them, the deposits would have represented vast and immeasurable wealth.

All this, given back to honour ancestors and deities, in return for sacred fury in battle and, if worthy, victory.

The ritual was so powerful, it permeated into myth and legend. Arthur's Excalibur was both granted by and eventually returned to the Lady of the Lake.

The removal of sworn weapons from the waters was no mean feat. Wetlands were sacred sites where the veil between the living and the dead was thin. An iron blade thrust into the water’s edge bound malevolent spirits and the ancestors demanded some favour or sacrifice in return. Arthur only received Excalibur under oath for a future service to the Lady of the Lake.

To our ancestors, glory was not possessed, it was something to be granted by and returned to the deities. Only those who lived and died with virtue could hope to be entrusted with it.

With thanks to:
Herknungr, Musician, playing 'Svinfylking'.
Schwerpunkt, Military Historian, for his insight on the Indo-European sacred fury.

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