Battle axe 13th century

A video presenting the 13th century battel axe, one of the most common weapons in medieval Norway. The presentation covers how it was made and used according to historical sources and my own experience and it also covers the important symbolism the axe represents in Norway’s royal arms or heraldic.

[@Tork789]

2 videos in the same month? Feels like Christmas.

[@darkmattergamesofficial]

Excellent as always, you videos make my day! That axe used in conjunction with the shield seems awfully tiresome. Then again, I am sure they were in good shape!

[@tomektp111]

my favourite channel on youtube :D

[@Alex.Ost.2001]

You have a wide ranging skillset Ola, I'm impressed

[@rdvneknc]

Please somebody buy this guy a microphone or sth. His videos are getting better and better.

[@OotsutsukiShibai]

Awesome, as always!

[@lordlantern599]

This was both a cool and intreiguing video! I found this in my feed, and I can't complain within the slightest bit.

[@thor1511]

I love you videos Ola, gives me alot of inspiration for a film script I'm writing

[@Sniperfresser]

Love your content! Keep it up!

[@Kublaioi]

Haha he's back again. Love these videos!

[@Bluewolfdude]

Superb video ! Please make more.

[@frankmonagas6217]

outstanding preview

[@kurtschmidt5005]

That is an awesome axe!!!!

[@michaelonsrud3748]

Very cool. I wonder if we're related - maybe distantly - since we have the same last name?

[@soldierbreakneck771]

I see new video from Ola - I vote 👍, than start watching. No doubt this will be extremely interesting and aesthetically pleasant.

[@davidfunkhouser516]

Great video. I have been watching your content for years now. You said that you would not feel safe using the axe from a horse. This got ne thinking how long a knights lance of say 1200 would be?

[@juanzulu1318]

Interesting point regarding the usage on horse. But it looks also a bit awkward using it one handed on foot.

[@WarDogMadness]

Amazings kit bro

[@soldierbreakneck771]

Is this the well known scandinavian "Broad Axe" or different piece of weapon?

[@andershelseth2697]

Pretty much. Axes with wide and thin blades were popular in Norway from the tenth to the seventeenth century, with only small variations in shape. As for size, this one is on the smaller end of the scale.

[@JohnLundSweden]

Intressant!

[@PaulieGJr]

i love ur content ola onsrud

[@wyattw9727]

Would the length be the primary problem behind using said axe on horseback? At first glance it looks like the length could be useful for passing blows on a charge but it seems rather ungainly for one handed use on horseback or foot.

[@bernardantoinerouffaer7578]

Merci! :-)

[@joaomanoel3197]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@roballister5269]

10/10 more please!!! also, so.... could u talk a bit about the norse cavalry?? like why does it always seem that norse always preferred to fight on foot than on horse?? the Rus people for example lived in snow climates too but they developed more and more to use horseback and spears/lances on horseback than to be on foot; why is it the norse preferred to be on foot? wouldn't the horse or being mounted be much more of an advantage??

[@user-yy5xs6xj7r]

The Rus people lived in a land with far more plains (especially in the south, where the steppe begins) and far less mountains. Also many enemies of the Rus people (mostly steppe nomads, but also Bysantines, Hungarians, Poles and Germans) actively used cavalry, so having their oun cavalry forces was quite important. Another reason is that in Scandinavia fleets and sea battles were much more common, than in the lands of Rus, and transporting horses by sea is quite difficult.

[@lordhermis8718]

The Knights certainly would prefer to fight on horseback. It gives them a tactical advantage that's hard to deny. But in many battles fought in Scandinavia (except maybe Denmark) the terrain simply didn't allow for the cavalry to operate with efficiency. So it was more of a must then a preference. And as the other commentor said, it was a naval power and many battles were settled at sea.

[@user-xk1sy9pl6z]

By the title, I thought this was about Hildabeest Clinton, My mistake, carry on...

[@ChevalierdIledeFrance]

Norvégien chevalier 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@Heatherly3102]

I want to challenge this man to a duel

[@OutworldStudios]

A duel to the death.

[@Heatherly3102]

@@OutworldStudios I can see an upside to that 😂 sometimes, anyway..

[@jeydonfal1]

not sure about the dane axe and shield combo...

[@andershelseth2697]

It was the way. Check out the Bayeux tapestry.

[@jeydonfal1]

@@andershelseth2697 nope

[@prinz5816]

Its a historicaly documented *combo*, you dont have to like it. its still real.

[@lscibor]

Large, river Thames style dane axe with big, broad blade that could weigh 3 pounds alone, on a long haft - most probably not. However, plenty of dane axes were in fact pretty modestly sized axes. Definitely could be swung one handed by someone strong and familiar enough with them. It's just that the large, broad ones are most eagerly reconstructed, general "fan favorites".

[@andershelseth2697]

@@jeydonfal1 Great point. You convinced me. What are contemporary sources worth compared to your opinion?

[@Microbe1972]

I really like your videos, but the 'fighting' with your brother looked way to staged ( as it was staged😂), the way you moved and attacked was kind of lame...