The book tells about the swords made and used in northern Europe during the Viking age, between the mid eighth and the mid eleventh centuries. It outlines the significance and diversity of these ancient heirlooms and describes sixty of the finest representative weapons. Where possible, full-length photographs are included, in addition to illustrations of detail; an illustrated overview of blade types and construction, pattern-welding, inscription and handle forms and their classification prefaces the catalogue of examples which is the principal part of this work.