Weaponry
According to mid-11th century Norwegian law, the standard weaponry on a warship had to consist of 1 bow and 24 arrows per thwart and a shield, broad-axe, a sword and a spear per man. Neither helmet nor ring mail are mentioned in the law although leather helmets and leather armour could most probably be considered as "ordinary". The weaponry onboard the ships of the nobility was more valuable and sophisticated than that on smaller warships. Probable weaponry on a 30-sessa like Skuldelev 2: Offensive weaponry 34 bows, 48 arrows per bow 34 quivers 80 swords 60 light axes 30 battle axes 160 throwing spears Catapults and ammunition Defensive weaponry 20 coats of ring mail 20 metal helmets 60 leather sets of armor 60 leather helmets 80 large, round shields 40-80 reserve shields Leg and lower arm guards The bow The Vikings introduced the bow and the axe to the weaponry of several countries, among others Ireland. As a fast and accurate weapon, the bow was terrifying. It was especially effective when many archers shot a continuous rain of arrows at the enemy. A skilled archer could have five to seven arrows in the air simultaneously. The bow was in use as a weapon of war until as recently as the end of the 18th century. At the time, rapid fire with a bow was four times faster than with a musket. It could also shoot as accurately and over the same distance. What is more, the target was never obscured by gunpowder smoke. 2,246 bows The ships sent against Roskilde from Norway had a total of 2,246 thwarts and consequently a "firepower" of 2,246 bows. All these bows were presumably not shot at the same time, but imagine the firepower of just one 30-sessa with men shooting arrows in series of five. |
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