The Anglo Saxon Spear

The Anglo Saxon Spear

Author: Frank Docherty February 16, 2024 Duration: 15:58

The Anglo-Saxon spear was a crucial weapon in the arsenal of the Anglo-Saxon warriors during the early medieval period, particularly in England from the 5th to the 11th centuries. It was one of the primary weapons used by infantry soldiers, alongside swords, axes, and shields.

Key features of the Anglo-Saxon spear included:

  1. Design: The spear typically consisted of a wooden shaft, often around 6 to 9 feet in length, with a spearhead attached at one end. The spearhead could be made of iron or steel and was usually around 8 to 12 inches long. It could have a variety of shapes, including leaf-shaped, diamond-shaped, or socketed.

  2. Versatility: The spear was a versatile weapon, effective both in thrusting and throwing. In close combat, warriors would use the spear to thrust at opponents, aiming to penetrate armor or injure vital organs. At longer ranges, they could throw the spear at their enemies, either to disrupt enemy formations or to kill or injure opponents.

  3. Tactics: Anglo-Saxon warfare often involved shield walls, where soldiers would stand shoulder to shoulder with their shields raised, creating a defensive barrier. Spears were ideal weapons for use behind these shield walls, allowing warriors to thrust over or through the shields to attack enemy soldiers.

  4. Symbolism: Spears held significant cultural and symbolic importance in Anglo-Saxon society. They were often adorned with intricate designs or symbols, and their ownership and use could convey social status and prowess in battle.

  5. Evolution: Over time, the design and use of the spear evolved alongside changes in warfare and technology. As armor improved, spearheads became more specialized to penetrate armor, and shafts might have been reinforced for greater durability. Additionally, the introduction of cavalry and changes in battlefield tactics influenced how spears were used in combat.

Overall, the Anglo-Saxon spear played a crucial role in early medieval warfare, serving as a versatile and effective weapon for infantry soldiers in England and beyond.


Frank Docherty hosts The Wanderer, a podcast that moves through the deep forests and mead halls of early medieval England. This isn't a dry recitation of dates, but an exploration of how people thought, believed, and told stories. You’ll hear discussions on the foundational myths and local spirits that populated the Anglo-Saxon world, understanding how folklore was woven into daily life. The conversation naturally extends to the complex religious landscape, from the old gods to the coming of Christianity, and how these forces collided and merged. History provides the anchor, examining the society and events that formed the backdrop for everything else. Listening to this podcast feels like uncovering layers of a rich tapestry, where a heroic poem, a pagan ritual, and a historical king might all be connected. Each episode aims to make the distant past feel tangible and relevant, exploring the wisdom and the weirdness of a foundational era. The goal is to provide a thoughtful, nuanced perspective that goes beyond the stereotypes, all while appreciating the haunting beauty of the language and ideas left behind. It’s for anyone curious about the roots of stories and the echoes of a world that still subtly shapes our own.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Wanderer Anglo Saxon History, mythology, Folklore and religion
Podcast Episodes
Fire Giants and a reading list [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:49
Muspelheim is a realm in Norse and Germanic mythology and is one of the Nine Worlds that make up the universe. It is located in the south and is often described as the world of fire. The name Muspelheim comes from the Ol…
Warriors and Valhalla [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:30
In Anglo-Saxon mythology, Valhalla is a majestic, enormous hall located in Asgard, one of the Nine Realms. It is ruled over by the god Woden, and is the destination of the souls of warriors who die in battle, known as ei…
The Anglo Saxon Huscarls [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:15
Founded by nut the great, the Danish ruler of England in the early 11th century, the Huscarls were modelled upon the Joms Vikings although new research has found that the Joms Vikings weren't as disciplined as was though…
Anglo Saxon Law [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:04
Apart from high policy and legislation, the business of government lay with the local authority, and the local authority was the local assembly of freemen. The local unit was the tun or township, the village, the group o…
Saxnot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:19
Saxnot also appears in the Old Saxon Baptismal Vow of the 9th century alongside Woden and Thunear. "I renounce all the deeds and words of the devil, Thunear, Wōden and Saxnōt, and all those fiends that are their companio…
The Theft of Miollnir [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:20
The Theft of Mjolnir Thor's Hammer Of all the strange Norse tales that survived, the theft of Mjolnir Thor's hammer must be the funniest and somehow awkward. Many questions might come to mind, like who dared to steal Mjo…
The Building of the Citadel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:49
The Fortification of Asgard A certain smith arrived at Asgard one day and offered to build the gods a high wall around their home to protect them from any who might wish them ill. The smith (certainly a giant himself) sa…
The Two wives of Ragnar Lodbrok [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:03
Ragnar Lodbrok(Old Norse Ragnarr Loðbrók, also anglicized as Ragnar Lodbrok), whose epithet means 'Hairy-breeches' or 'Shaggy-breeches', was a legendary Viking king, with Old Norse sagas, poetry, and medieval Latin sourc…
The Wolf and then the Green man [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:14
The pub name “The Green Man,” then, seems to have originated in the 17th century and to have referred in its earliest forms to the leaf-covered Green Man common in 16th-century pageantry. As we've seen, Lady Raglan was d…