The Battle Axe

At the Battle of Hastings, the most fearsome Anglo-Saxon warriors were King Harold's 'housecarls' - his private army of highly trained professional fighters and bodyguards. These were among the finest soldiers in Europe.

Their favourite weapon was a mighty long-handed battle-axe, also called a 'Danish axe' because it had originated with the Vikings. Swung with two hands, the battle-axe was capable of cutting off the head of a man or horse. But it was also light and well-balanced enough to be used with one hand, while the other held a shield.