A variety of marks and decorative stamps on the surface were also frequent on axes of this period. The so-called ‘bearded’ axes were used as a weapon and a grappling tool alike, they were used for woodworking too. Bearded axes are most commonly associated with Viking Age Scandinavians. For Vikings they were particularly useful for hooking the enemy weapon or shield.
To discover more about warfare and weapons in the Middle Ages, please visit our relevant blog post: Medieval Weaponry.