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Two dozen Viking and medieval swords up for auction

If you want to get your Christmas shopping done early, and have a medievalist on your list, perhaps you can put in a bid for one of two dozen medieval and Viking-era swords that will be sold at auction later this month.

London-based auction hour Bonhams will be be holding an Antique Arms and Armor on November 28th in Knightsbridge. The twenty-four swords are expected to fetch thousands of pounds (£) while some late-medieval daggers could cost hundreds of pounds.

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David Williams, Director of Arms and Armor at Bonhams, comments: “Many of these rare and remarkable weapons would have been used in battle. The scarring and damage goes some way to confirm this, though the years have also taken their toll.”

Among the collection of swords in the sale from the distinguished Danish collector the late E.A. Christensen, there are some seven Viking swords dating from the 9th and tenth centuries when the Vikings were invading the British Isles on a regular basis. They range in price from £2,000 to £8,000.

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A rare Viking sword from the 9th Century, Lot 57, estimated to sell for £6,000 to £8,000 was found in 1887 in the mouth of the River Thieles, in Switzerland. Lot 54, estimate £3,500 to £4,500 was found in the River Meuse in Belgium, Lot 55 is very similar to one found in Ireland and is estimated at £4,000 to £5,000.

Click here to visit the Bonhams website for more details

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