The Hall of Heorot

The Home of Heroes

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mediumaevum:

Building a Monastery the Medieval Way

Historians, architects, archaeologists and volunteers in Germany are teaming up to build a medieval monastery the old-fashioned way. Working conditions will be strictly 9th-century, without machines, rain jackets or even coffee. It will take decades, but they hope to garner fresh insights into everyday life in the 800s.

Read the article (03-2012)

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rusalke: SvjatogorSvjatogor is well known Russian giant, but many believe that he is pan-Slavic giant, the first one. He dwells in the Sacred Mountains, and he is so big and strong that Mother Earth is barley carrying him. Svjatogor shows up only in times of great trouble, when Slavic people are in danger, and he can only be invoked by honest need coming from united people of pure hearts.Illustrated by Petar Meseldžija, from the book Exiled Creatures, Serbian Mythology  That makes a lot more sense than when someone said that was a painting of Thor.

rusalke:

Svjatogor

Svjatogor is well known Russian giant, but many believe that he is pan-Slavic giant, the first one. He dwells in the Sacred Mountains, and he is so big and strong that Mother Earth is barley carrying him. Svjatogor shows up only in times of great trouble, when Slavic people are in danger, and he can only be invoked by honest need coming from united people of pure hearts.

Illustrated by Petar Meseldžija, from the book Exiled Creatures, Serbian Mythology 

That makes a lot more sense than when someone said that was a painting of Thor.

(via tryglaf)

198 notes

art-of-swords: The Viking Sword The Viking sword was the main type of sword used in North Western Europe during the Viking Age. Although called “Viking sword”, this style of sword was not exclusively limited to Vikings and was used by others as well. It was a development of the Roman spatha, evolving out of the Migration Period sword in the 8th century, and into the classical knightly sword in the 11th century with the emergence of larger cross-guards. Blade length varied from 28 to 33 inches. Early example have single, deep, wide fullers running the full length of the blade. Later examples have multiple narrow fullers. A fuller reduces the weight of the blade without compromising the strength. This weight reduction would allow the wielder to swing faster and harder strokes. All have short single-handed hilts with pyramid, lobed or cocked-hat style pommels. Pommels were made of iron and were heavier than on the earlier Migration Period sword. They started to act as a counterweight to the blade. While the pattern of hilt and blade design of this time might readily be called “the Viking sword” to do so would be to disregard the widespread popularity swords of this sort enjoyed. All over continental Europe between 700-1000 AD this design and its small variations could be found. Only the wealthier Viking goðar, jarls, and sometimes selected freemen wielded swords, while ordinary freeman tended to carry axes, spears or/and slings. Info source: Wikipedia Photo source: Weyer of Toledo 

art-of-swords:

The Viking Sword

The Viking sword was the main type of sword used in North Western Europe during the Viking Age. Although called “Viking sword”, this style of sword was not exclusively limited to Vikings and was used by others as well.

It was a development of the Roman spatha, evolving out of the Migration Period sword in the 8th century, and into the classical knightly sword in the 11th century with the emergence of larger cross-guards.

Blade length varied from 28 to 33 inches. Early example have single, deep, wide fullers running the full length of the blade. Later examples have multiple narrow fullers. A fuller reduces the weight of the blade without compromising the strength. This weight reduction would allow the wielder to swing faster and harder strokes.

All have short single-handed hilts with pyramid, lobed or cocked-hat style pommels. Pommels were made of iron and were heavier than on the earlier Migration Period sword. They started to act as a counterweight to the blade. While the pattern of hilt and blade design of this time might readily be called “the Viking sword” to do so would be to disregard the widespread popularity swords of this sort enjoyed.

All over continental Europe between 700-1000 AD this design and its small variations could be found. Only the wealthier Viking goðar, jarls, and sometimes selected freemen wielded swords, while ordinary freeman tended to carry axes, spears or/and slings.

Info source: Wikipedia

Photo source: Weyer of Toledo 

(via juodaanviinaa)