“Oathkeeper” Sixth Century Anglo-Saxon Sword Found Near Canterbury

A field near Canterbury in southeastern England has given up another secret from Dark Age Britain: a 6th century sword dating from the mysterious Anglo-Saxon period which followed the withdrawal of the Romans. The sword was found in an Anglo-Saxon cemetery, and is both exceptionally well made and exceptionally well preserved.

Duncan Sayer, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Central Lancashire and the lead archaeologist in the team who found the sword, was interviewed by the Guardian. “It’s really incredible, in the top echelons of swords, an elite object in every way, which is wonderful. It rivals the swords from Dover and from Sutton Hoo,” he said.

Sutton Hoo is famously where an undisturbed Anglo-Saxon ship burial was discovered in 1938, along with the most valuable collection of grave goods ever found in the British Isles. This new sword is a treasure to rival only the finest discoveries from the period.

• Porridge but No Bread: What was on the Menu in Neolithic Denmark?
• The Wendigo: Native American Stuff of Nightmares

The exact location of the find is being kept a closely guarded secret at present, to prevent disruption to the archaeology or attracting looters bent on opportunistic digging for other treasures. So far 12 burial areas have been uncovered, but the team believe there could be as many as 200 more in what is clearly an extensive burial ground.

The sword itself is also a stunning work of art. A runic inscription runs along the blade which was once encased in a beaver-fur scabbard, but it is the pommel which is the most interesting.

The pommel itself, intricately fashioned and decorated in gold and silver, has a ring attached. For Anglo-Saxons this was the symbol of loyalty to a liege lord or king: the wielder of this sword was an oathkeeper, a loyal man.

Other clues as to the individual’s identity were buried with the sword. A gold pendant was also found in this grave, engraved with a serpent or dragon: such a pendant would have been worn by a woman and was likely a high-value keepsake buried with the warrior.

So far the sword and the grave in which it was found seems to fit a typical burial in this cemetery. The men have been found buried with weapons, including spears and shields as well as swords, the women with knives, brooches and buckles, although nothing has yet been found that is as spectacular as this oathkeeper’s sword.

The discoveries will feature in BBC Two’s forthcoming six-part Digging for Britain series. The sword is described as one of the most remarkable finds ever seen on the television program, now into its 12th series.

Header Image: The ring on the pommel of the Anglo-Saxon sword indicates its owner had sworn an oath. Source: Prof Alice Roberts/BBC/Rare TV.