Housecarls were well-trained,
full-time Anglo-Saxon soldiers who
were paid for their services. They wore a short mail-coat called a
byrnie. The sleeves were left short to enable freedom of movement
in battle. They wore a pointed helmet to help deflect blows from sword
attacks. Their main weapon was the battle-axe.
The heavy curved blade and long handle meant that the weapon had to
be held with both hands. Housecarls also used a long double-edged
sword with a shallow grove running along the blade on both sides
to make it lighter.
Section
53: The English battle-axe and
the Norman double-edged sword
in action at the Battle of Hastings,
Bayeux
Tapestry (c. 1090)
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