You may also recognize his work as the key illustrator of the Nordic Mythology Podcast, where his images appear unique to each episode and its content. Reminiscent of Saxon and Viking iconography, his subject matter ranges from members of the lore (such as Ragnar Lothbrok) to those of Tolkien (like Gandalf and other members of the Fellowship). The Saxon Storyteller is an illustrator known for his incredible ability to capture the character and theme of artifacts and historical figures. It’s preferable to only touch the edges and we recommend mounting these in a frame behind glass. Your print will arrive on 250gsm uncoated art board and should be handled with care. The artwork you will receive has been printed locally using high quality inks and paper to maintain integrity and quality of colour and image. In turn, the dying Beowulf passes on what might be termed as 'regalia' to Wiglaf, in the form of a helmet, a mail coat, and a neck-ring. This A4 print is The Saxon Storyteller’s take on how the helmet would have looked before it was buried for more than a century.Īvailable as a standalone print or as part of Matt's British History Print Series. Raw further suggests that the four items given to Beowulf by Hrothgar are the outward signs of royal status these are the standard, the helmet, the mail coat and the sword.

Players will now stop walking into the wall when using the pipe shortcut in Taverley dungeon. 1 The head portion of the helmet is made of iron, while the mask and diadem are of bronze or brass. It was found around 1915 in a gravel bed on the left bank of the Waal river, near the Dutch city of Nijmegen.The helmet would have been worn by the élite Roman cavalry. The text on various gravestone interfaces has been changed from red to yellow to benefit colourblind players. The Nijmegen Helmet is a Roman cavalry sports helmet from the first or second century AD. Ed now has more dialogue when the Helm of Raedwald is worn. Whether you believe it was worn by Rædwald or not, it is hard not to see the helmet as one of the symbols of the Anglo Saxons. Players can now store the Helm of Raedwald in the armour case of their PoH. It is especially ironic as of the main tribes who settled, the Angles, Saxons and Jutes, it was the Angles whose name remains in the country of Angle-land, or England. It is thought that the helmet belonged to Rædwald who was a king of this region in the early 7th Century.Īlthough popular culture often abbreviates the germanic settlers of this period as “Saxons', the kingdom itself is named after the Angles who were another tribe who predominantly populated the area. It is small wonder that a boar’s head was a dish fit for kings.One of the most famous archaeological finds throughout the British Isles is undoubtedly the Sutton Hoo helmet found in East Anglia (one of the 4 main Anglo Saxon kingdoms). When finally cornered, the devastating use of their razor-sharp tusks often left men, dogs, and horses mortally wounded. Their native intelligence, speed and nimbleness made for many unsuccessful forays. It took an inordinate amount of skill and courage to track and kill wild boar. The Viking warrior cult of the Svinfylking was dedicated to the boar, and its elite warriors fought in a wedge-shaped formation, fronted by two especial fighters who formed the Rani, or snout. The Danes too employed the power of boar imagery in warfare. literal translation from the Old English by John Porter, lines 1452-1454ĭepictions of boars feature prominently in the fabulous treasure from the Sutton Hoo burial, grave of Rædwald, king of the East Angles, who died c 625. Then no blade nor battle-swords to bite were able…. Wonderfully formed, beset with swine-forms so that it The unknown scop who created the masterwork Beowulf refers to a helmet embellished with protective boar images: The narrow end of the pear-shaped Ælfred Jewel is the head of a boar worked in gold its open, threaded mouth probably was intended to hold a wand, and the completed jewel used a pointer to aid in reading the king’s translation of Gregory’s Pastoral Care which he sent to his bishops. At last he led his forces like a wild boar against the enemy, without waiting for his brother’s arrival… Alfred the Great, P.H. He must either retreat, or begin the battle without waiting for his brother. Then Ælfred, second in command, could bear the attacks of the enemy no longer.

The king (Ælfred’s older brother Æthelred, soon to die) remained long in prayer, and the pagans (Danes) came up quickly, ready to fight. The Welsh monk Asser, biographer of King Ælfred during his lifetime, writes of the battle of Æscedune (Ashdown) in early 871: Even after most Anglo-Saxons accepted Christianity, boar symbolism and imagery figured strongly in both art and literature. Sacred to the god Freyr, these ferocious and cunning beasts were held in utmost esteem by the early Anglo-Saxons and Danes.

Helm of raedwald h