1/29/20 Benjamin Zhu PD1

Benjamin Zhu 1/29/20 Vocab Quiz in the beginning of the period Secrets of the Viking Sword we create importance on physical objects; an extension of oneself We watched video master swordsman cuts objects He has used many different types of swords A good sword is not about cutting with a sharp edge Viking sword made of pure steel Ulfberht, perfect sword of form and function especially for a Viking battle of that age Viking started from scandinavia, a lot of men fought with axe and spear but rich men used swords because it allowed for close combat 171 Viking swords have been identified as oofberd We have to reverse engineer to find the construction of the ulfberht sword, the materials and the reason why these swords are different from others Alex Williams found shocking information on ulfberht, smelted iron source of material for most swords. Crushed ores are heated to separate iron from rock, iron too soft as a strong weapon so they add carbon to harden the weapon and made into steel. Slag is found on swords and it was hard to remove because the heat back then wasn’t enough to remove it. Nowadays, the heat can reach up to thousands of heat so it can remove the slag. Slag makes the metal brittle. Most Vikings were pagans who worshipped their weapon. They believe their sword could lead them to Valhalla if they die in battle with a sword in their hands. Ulfberht was extremely flexible which is good because if a normal sword gets stuck in a shield, it can break. Ulfberht’s flexibility is almost seen as magical Some Vikings even use their ancestors’ bone to make it into the perfect steel which is source of powerful yet personal type of weapon The Vikings didn’t even know how to make the steel, theory has it that it originated from Asia Reflection: The purpose of today’s lesson was to explain the physical and symbolic significance of the ulfberht sword. The sword was a sort of holy weapon that reflects one self and was passed down for generations. Furthermore, it was a weapon that is way above its time; the materials used to construct it and the amount of accuracy and precision needed proved that the sword was available to those who are the higher ups. The sword not only prove to be unique, it also proved to be extremely competent in battle. Due to its precise construction, the sword can bend more than others which allow it for superior close combat of its time.