DK Eyewitness Books - Viking

41

REINING THEM IN
Harness bows were used mainly in Denmark.
The curved surface rested on a horse’s back.
The reins passed through the holes in the center to
stop them getting tangled up. This pair was found
in a smith’s hoard in Mammen, Jutland. They
belonged to a wealthy chieftain and were probably
used only on ceremonial occasions. Their splendid
decoration shows how wealthy he must have been.

Copper alloy covered in gold

Hole t hrough which t he

reins passed

Ribbon decoration

in Jellinge style

Animal heads, possibly meant

to scare off evil spirits and stop

t he horses from bolting

Small gripping

beast held in t he jaws

of a larger animal

Modern wood,

because original wood

had rotted away

Silver eye

DANISH STIRRUPS

Vikings were often buried

with riding equipment such

as stirrups, or even with their

horses (pp. 54–57). These

stirrups were found in a man’s

grave at Velds in Jutland,

Denmark, along with horse

bells, strap mounts, and a bit.

Ornamental

copper

plates

Iron stirrups

WELL TRAVELED

These stirrups are similar to the

Danish pair. But they were found in

the Thames River in London and

were probably made in England.

Some Vikings took their riding

equipment with them on their

travels. They had to get horses

from the local people, though.

Front view

Side view