More than 170 Early Medieval Swords have been found with the trade-mark: +Ulfberht+ (or +Ulfberh+t) engraved in the fine pattern-welded blade. Although some have been identified as sloppy counterfeits, the real thing was obviously a fabulous piece of work. They were stable, weightless and particularly lethal. Different specimens have been dated to a period covering more than 2 – 300 years. Although differing spellings have been recorded it was obviously a very powerful brand! But where were they made? One key to answering this conundrum is the cross, which frame the inscription of the name. Such crosses were generally only used in signatures belonging to abbots, bishops and other prelates governing specified jurisdictions. The most credible answer is that the crosses signified Ulfberht as a “sword master” belonging to a monastery, bishopry or other religious centre. A recent find of a 10 th -century sword in the river Weser near Grossenwieden by the city of Hessich Oldendorf may...
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