The author has repeatedly focused on early medieval spears in the last decade (Hendry – Vlasatý 2022; Vlasatý 2014; 2019; 2021; 2022; 2023a; 2023b; 2024). While collecting archaeological material, the author came across a small, yet remarkable group of spears with exceptionally long wings. These visually captivating weapons with impressive proportions are among the largest early medieval spears. Their collection and subsequent evaluation will not only allow us to define a previously unrecognized trend, but can also help to shed light on a marginalized issue that includes hundreds to thousands of other spears with wings across the European Continent. The article is intended for both academics and groups engaged in the reconstruction of military history (reenactment) and craftsmen.
Introduction
Traditional literature on spear wings has dealt with this phenomenon rather superficially, focusing on some of their practical and symbolic aspects (e.g. Hjardar – Vike 2016: 176-7; Steinacker 1999; Szameit 2005). The complex morphology of early medieval wings and their practical consequences were first grasped in more depth by the author of this text in 2019 (Vlasatý 2019). Subsequent thorough observations of standardized spears have shown that wings can be classified according to the ratio of their span to the outer diameter of the socket of a particular spear. This ratio naturally divides a large part of the spear material into distinct groups. Since these observations have not yet been published, we present them here in a preliminary form:
- Tiny wings
The span is less than twice the diameter of the socket.
- Standard wings
The span ranges from 2 to 3.5 times the socket diameter. In absolute terms, this usually corresponds to 7–16 cm. Most early medieval winged spears fall into this category.
- Abnormal wings
Their span reaches 3.5 to 3.99 times the socket diameter, usually in the range of 10–16 cm. We assume that this group is not very numerous.
- Extraordinary wings
The span of these wings is at least four times the socket diameter, which in absolute terms is 11.5–20 cm. The largest ratio we have recorded is shown by the spear from Mainz, with wings reaching up to five times the socket diameter.
Fig. 1: Differently long wings of early medieval spears.
Author: Diego Flores Cartes.
Most existing publications do not attribute any chronological significance to the wing lengths. To our knowledge, Bouzy’s work is the only one that has attempted to indicate the development of wings over time (Bouzy 1994a: Fig. 56). However, the proposed chronology has never been revised and is therefore accepted uncritically, even though it may contain errors (Pasquini et al. 2022: Fig. 9; Legros 2015: Fig. 67). In the following text, we will attempt to refine the chronology of one group of winged spears.
Fig. 2: Bouzy’s chronology of wings. Taken from Legros 2015: Fig. 67.
Group definition
The group of spears described here is characterized by an above-average size, with a total length exceeding 35 cm, usually ranging from 40–60 cm. The speaheads are equipped with a blade that forms more than half the length of the spear and is either perfectly lenticular or asymmetrically leaf-shaped, continuously tapering and very pointed. Lenticular blades can be relatively wide (up to 5.5 cm), while pointed variants are narrower (more often around 4 cm). The center of the blade is always equipped with a raised rib. Grooves can be found in the center of the blade, but never panels created by pattern welding. The socket usually has a circular internal cross-section and a hexagonal or octagonal external cross-section. Its external diameter ranges between 2.3–3.3 cm. French specimens indicate that the sockets may be decorated with lines, which is typical for early medieval continental spears. The neck is relatively subtle at its narrowest point.
A distinctive feature of these spearheads are the exceptionally long wings, the span of which reaches at least four times the socket diameter (11.5–20 cm). The wings are situated in perfect opposition. The upper side of most wings is set perpendicular to the axis of the spear, but in French specimens it may be slightly bent towards the tip. The upper side is not curved and runs in a straight line. The lower side of the wings runs from the start to the tip in a concave curve, without noticeable step-like offset. When viewed from the front, the upper and lower sides of the wings most often meet at the tip, which is formed by a straight surface with a small spur-like hook. Less often, pointed tips or balls appear. When viewed from below, the wings are usually untapered, in some cases they taper to a tip. In at least two cases, the tips are thickened by a widening formation. The wings can be decorated by shaping the material or with cut lines. Under the wings there are holes for one longer nail or two shorter nails, which serve for fastening to the shaft. Some other spearheads with similar proportions – shorter, but still abnormal wings – may also be related to the group defined in this way (Bouzy 1994b: Figs. 463, 464, 466; Périn et al. 1985: 571; Steyert 1897: 89; Wegeli 1939: Cat. no. 1677). The spears from the catalog attached below come from Belgium, France, West Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, i.e. from Western Continental Europe.
Map 1: Distribution of spears with exceptionally long wings of the defined group.
The spears of the discussed group appear to be part of a certain fashion wave rather than a long-term phenomenon, which would explain their low numbers. Although abnormal wings of other shapes are known from the Merovingian and Carolingian periods, the specimens collected in the catalog are almost certainly younger, although they are commonly assigned to the Carolingian period due to the unclear typochronology of continental spears (see Bavec 1991: Sl. 1; Dupuy 2021: 80, 91; Westphal 2002: 250). All the finds known to us come from non-funeral contexts. If such extraordinary weapons belonged to the Carolingian period, they would probably be reflected in grave inventories on the periphery of the Frankish Empire, for example in present-day Austria (Szameit 1987), Hungary (Kovács 1980), Scandinavia (Petersen 1919), the Baltics (Selirand 1975), Great Moravia (Kouřil 2005), Rus (Kirpičnikov 1966) or the former Yugoslavia (Demo 2010; Sajdl 2018). A younger dating is demonstrably indicated by the discovery of three spears from the Haus Meer – Niederungsburg fortress, which can be dated to the period from the end of the 10th to the 13th century (Janssen 1991; Janssen – Janssen 1999). Bouzy and Legros date this wing shape to the 2nd half of the 10th and 1st half of the 11th centuries. 11th century (Bouzy 1994a: Fig. 56; Legros 2015: Fig. 67), which broadly corresponds to our observation.
The author has thoroughly researched continental iconography in order to find a spear of the most similar shape. This search resulted in the discovery of two sources from the first quarter of the 11th century – namely, the high-end altarpieces of the late Ottonian period, donations of Henry II. The first source, where identically shaped spears with very long wings are depicted in two places, is the magnificent golden altar of the Pala d’Oro in Aachen (Lepie 2002; Münchow – Lepie 1996). The second source is the so-called Basel Antependium, where a spear with long wings is placed in the hand of the Archangel Michael (Buddensieg 1957; Kirmeier et al. 2002: 130; Suckale-Redlefsen 2000). The similarity of these depictions with the catalogued pieces is so obvious that there can be no doubt about the correctness of this determination and the necessity of revising the previous dating to the Carolingian period. The geographical correspondence of these depictions with the physical finds is also remarkable.
Fig. 3: Depiction of spears with exceptionally long wings. Pala d’Oro, Aachen.
Source: Münchow – Lepie 1996: 60; Schnitzler 1957: Abb. 17; kirchenzeitung-aachen.de.
Fig. 4: Depiction of spears with exceptionally long wings. Pala d’Oro, Aachen.
Source: Münchow – Lepie 1996: 39.
Fig. 5: Depiction of the Archangel Michael with a spear with long wings. Basel Antependium.
Source: commons.wikimedia.org; art.rmngp.fr.
However, other contemporary sources do not provide conclusive chronological support. We do not find detailed depictions of spears on the so-called Ambon of Henry II (Doberer 1957), the Cross Reliquary of Henry II (Fillitz 2010), or any other gold product attributed to this monarch (Huppertz-Wild 2016). The bronze door of Bishop Bernward in Hildesheim Cathedral, dated to around 1015, depicts spears with relatively long, but not exceptionally long wings (Gallistl 1990; Kahsnitz 1993a; Schadendorf 1964). The bronze door of Augsburg Cathedral from the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries also depicts wings of ordinary length (Diemer – Diemer 2019; Wißner 2012). The ivory situla from Aachen from the turn of the 10th-11th centuries does not show any spears with exceptionally long wings (Hoffmann 2018; Kahsnitz 1993b). Wings of normal length are also seen on the cover of the Golden Codex from Echternach (Oettinger 1960; Wolf 1995). Even pictorial sources from the mid-11th century do not show any deviation from the average lengths of spear wings (Hamann 1926; Schnitzler 1937; Waurick – Böhme 1992: 375). Potentially very long, but strongly schematized wings can be seen in some manuscripts from the second quarter of the 11th century from the area of present-day Germany (Berlin, Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin – Preußischer Kulturbesitz, Ms. theol. lat. fol. 358, 95r) and Switzerland (St. Gallen, Stiftsbibliothek, Cod. Sang. 863, 77).
Fig. 6: Possibly very long wings from the 2nd quarter of the 11th century.
Source: Kahsnitz 1979: Taf. 41; e-codices.unifr.ch.
Function
There can be no doubt that the production of these spears was demanding and that the wings can be a manifestation of master craftsmanship. At the same time, their combat dimension cannot be underestimated, as even standard wings are attributed with positive combat properties (Vlasatý 2019). The wings prevent deep penetration of the target, divert enemy weapons and shields to desired positions and, in the case of sharpened or spherical ends, could be used for striking. The idea of comparing this group with late medieval and modern pole weapons is tempting, but very long wings are not robust enough to withstand repeated strong blows. It is also likely that the wings did not serve to fix the banners and pennons, as the iconography shows the banners fixed at a lower level without touching the socket. Although long wings better fulfill a role similar to the sword guard or the hooks of modern Japanese spears, a legitimate question arises: what prompted the makers of these spears to equip the products with exceptionally long wings precisely during the narrowly defined period of the last Ottonian rulers?
It seems that this is a time-limited fashion that may have been promoted from above and that never replaced the production of spears with standard wings. In the leading illuminated manuscripts of the late 10th and first third of the 11th century, spears are depicted with their heads resembling crosses, with the wings of some of them being at least abnormally long. For example, the depiction of Saint Wenceslas from the Wolfenbüttel manuscript falls into this group (Sommer – Velímský 2007). This is apparently a targeted effort to depict spears as instruments of “fighting evil” (Garrison 2012: 106), and at the same time they may be schematized versions of the spears from the above-mentioned highly realistic depictions. It is possible that the long wings have primarily a symbolic meaning and are intended to make the spear resemble a cross as much as possible, thereby creating a deliberate analogy with the so-called Holy Spear or Spear of Destiny. This relic, still kept in Vienna, played a crucial role in the Ottonian dynasty during coronations and military campaigns, and it is known that the last Ottonian rulers had copies made of it and presented them to their allies in Central and Eastern Europe (Adelson 1966; Huppertz 2016: 38; Schramm 1954; Wegener 1955). It may not be a coincidence that some spears from a potentially similar period have different cross symbolism – for example, perforated crosses in the wings (Dupuy 2021: 79) or a cross formation between the socket and the blade (see Thunmark-Nylén 1998: Taf. 247). At the same time, a similarity may be created to the cruciform staffs, which were a popular motif in late Ottonian art (see Buddensieg 1957). The fact that spears of the defined group are also found in France may indicate the widespread use of this fashion beyond the borders of the Empire. The same is also evidenced by the so-called Ripoll Bible (Vatican, BAV, Vat. Lat. 5729), which depicts analogical spears similar to crosses. This Bible was created in what is now Spain between 1008-1046 (Loic 2017), or 1015-1020 according to some sources (Mundó 2002). A very interesting example is the scene on page 116r of the manuscript London, BL, Add. 5411, which shows a warrior holding a spear by its very long wings. The manuscript was written in central Italy around 1060-1090 (Radding 1988: 117) and the scene itself was probably copied from older models, as shown by its similarity to scenes from older Italian manuscripts from the early 11th century (e.g. Cava de ‘Tirreni, BM, Codices Cavenses, Cod. 4, 15v).
Fig. 7: Spears in Ottonian art of the late 10th and early 11th centuries.
From left: München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 4453, 24r; München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 4456, 15v; Bamberg, Staatsbibliothek, Msc. Bibl. 140, 60r.
Fig. 8: Spear from the so-called Irmengard Codex (Los Angeles, J. Paul Getty Museum, Ms. 125).
Fig. 9: Spears from the so-called Ripoll Bible.
Source: Vatican, BAV, Vat. Lat. 5729, 82r, 82v, 227r, 327r.
Fig. 10: The spear in the manuscript London, BL, Add. 5411, 116r.
The photo was taken by curator Elena Lichmanova.
Fig. 11: Selection of cruciform staffs from the late Ottonian period.
From left: Cross Reliquary of Henry II; cover of the Book of Pericopes of Henry II; Golden book cover from Aachen; cover of a portable altar from the Spitzer collection.
Catalog
Belgium
Ghent Museum
Water find from an unknown location.
Total length: 45 cm.
Wingspan: 14,5 cm.
Literature: Ghent Museum catalog.
Fig. 12: Spear from the Ghent Museum. Source: Ghent Museum catalog.
France
Maine River
Water find.
Total length: 50,2 cm.
Outer socket diameter: 2,3 cm.
Established dating: 800 – 1050.
Literature: Dupuy 2021: 80.
Fig. 13: Spear from the Maine River. Source: Dupuy 2021: 80.
Nantes, Dobrée Museum
Unknown context of discovery.
Total length: 61 cm.
Wingspan: 15,5 cm.
Outer socket diameter: 3,3 cm.
Weight: 0,88 kg.
Established dating: 750 – 1000.
Literature: Dupuy 2021: 91; Dobrée Museum catalog.
Fig. 14: Spear from the Dobrée Museum. Source: Dupuy 2021: 91.
Senlis Museum
Unknown context of discovery.
Total length: 56 cm.
Max. blade width: 4,4 cm.
Max. blade thickness: 0,8 cm.
Socket diameter: 3 cm.
Wingspan: 14 cm.
Weight: 0,69 kg.
Established dating: 2nd half of the 10th century.
Literature: Legros 2015: 184-5.
Fig. 15: Spear from the Senlis Museum. Source: Legros 2015: 185.
Orléans, Loire River
Water find. Inv. no. 3133, Musée des Beaux-Arts d’Orléans.
Total length: 51 cm.
Literature: Bouzy 1994b: Fig. 469.
Fig. 16: Spear from Orléans. Source: Bouzy 1994b: Fig. 469.
Germany
Mainz
The find from the Rhine near Mainz. It is very likely that these are the proportionally longest wings in the entire corpus.
Literature: Schramm 1954: Abb. 73a.
Fig. 17: Spear from Mainz. Source: Schramm 1954: Abb. 73a.
Neckartenzlingen
The spear allegedly comes from the area of a destroyed burial ground, which is why it is attributed to a grave origin.
Total length: ~ 40 cm.
Max. blade width: 4 cm.
Socket diameter: 3 cm.
Wingspan: 15 cm.
Established dating: 8th century.
Literature: Paulsen 1967; Stein 1967a: 282; 1967b: Taf. 32.8; Westphal 2002: 248-250, kat. č. 3.3.11.
Fig. 18: Spear from Neckartenzlingen. Source: Paulsen 1967: Abb. 2.3.
Niederungsburg, Haus Meer
Three spears from a settlement context.
Established dating: 11th-13th century.
Literature: Herrnbrodt 1967: Taf. 15.2; Janssen 1991: Abb. 28; Janssen – Janssen 1999: Taf. 32.2-4.
Fig. 19: Spear from Niederungsburg.
Source: Janssen 1991: Abb. 28; Janssen – Janssen 1999: Taf. 32.2-4.
Netherlands
Cothen
Found in 1967 during water management construction.
Total length: 39,2 cm.
Max. blade width: 5,3 cm.
Max. blade thickness: 0,8 cm.
Wingspan: 12,2 cm.
Literature: Ypey 1982: 251.
Fig. 20: Spear from Cothen. Source: Ypey 1982: 251.
Kerkdriel
The spear remains in a private collection. It was purchased by Marcel Hermes at a garage sale from the brother of the finder, who reportedly discovered it while mining clay in the 1960s.
Total length: 42,5 cm.
Wingspan: 13 cm.
Unpublished.
Fig. 21: Spear from Kerkdriel. Source: Marcel Hermes.
More photos of this spear can be viewed or downloaded by clicking on the following link:
Meerssen
The spear was dredged from the river. One wing is almost missing, the spear is covered with corrosion products. Deposited in PDB Limburg, inv. no. GREAA V743.
Total length: 42,5 cm.
Current wingspan: 10 cm (original cca 15 cm)
Literature: Van den Bossche 2022: Fig. 15; portable-antiquities.nl.
Fig. 22: Spear from Meerssen. Source: portable-antiquities.nl.
Switzerland
Basel-Kleinhüningen
Found in the Rhine.
Literature: Laur-Belart 1944: Abb. 22.
Fig. 23: Spear from Basel. Source: Laur-Belart 1944: Abb. 22.
Not included in the catalog
Vir – Posušje
The spear was found in 1930 by David Budimir near the village of Vir. In 1984, when it was in the possession of the finder’s son Petar, it was first published with a poor-quality photograph that is not publicly known. Subsequent publications published a drawing that is inaccurate in shape – the wings are shown longer, differently shaped and placed in a different place. The blade is also differently shaped in the drawing. Overall, the spear in the photograph appears to be extremely similar to the spear from the Croatian site of Fruška Gora (Sajdl 2018). The wings of this spear are in fact standard. The author has unsuccessfully tried to contact the finder’s relatives; the fate of the spear remains unclear.
Total length: 70 cm.
Max. blade width: 8 cm.
Established dating: late 8th – 10th century.
Literature: Miletić 1991: 205-6; Oreč 1984; Petrinec 2000.
Fig. 24: Drawing of a spear from Vir – Posušje. Source: Miletić 1991: T. IV.3.
Fig. 25: Photo of spear from Vir – Posušje. Source: Oreč 1984: Sl. 18.
Higgins Museum, Worchester
In the former Higgins Museum in Worcester, USA, there was a spear that fits in shape with a series of West German and Dutch spears with a leaf-shaped blade and extended wings. However, it is not possible to verify the place of origin and guarantee that it is not an ingeniously made forgery. Due to the unknown location, additional information is limited.
Fig. 26: Spear from the Higgins Museum. Source: commons.wikimedia.org.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
The town museum in Rothenburg, Germany, houses at least two spears that morphologically fall into the category of exceptionally long wings. They were not included in the main part of the catalogue due to the dubious reputation of this museum, which exhibits a number of forgeries from the Wilfried Baumann collection (see Baumann 2010). Both spears are decorated with non-ferrous metals, which lends credence to the idea that they are modified originals or complete forgeries. Even if they were based on originals, they would be context-free finds without localization.
Fig. 27: Spear from the Rothenburg Museum. Source: author’s archive.
Hermann Historica Auction
As recently as 2013, the Hermann Historica auction sold a 50 cm long spear with very long wings. It is almost certainly a modern forgery imitating French pieces.
Fig. 28: Spear from the Hermann Historica Auction. Source: author’s archive.
Unknown American collection
An unspecified American collection holds a spear whose appearance matches the French specimens (Short – Óskarson 2021). Although it may be an original object, it cannot be worked with due to its unknown provenance.
Fig. 29: Spear from the unknown American collection. Source: Short – Óskarson 2021.
Cognac and the Château de Fréteval
In his publication on the 8th-12th century arms, Bouzy included the spear from Cognac that has a very long neck, a short blade and very long wings (Bouzy 1994b: Fig. 447). It is possible that this spear is drawn in his chronological scheme around 950 AD. A very similar spear from the Château de Fréteval is displayed on the website of the French Ministry of Culture (total length 41.4 cm, wingspan 23 cm) with a proposed dating to the 11th-15th centuries. There is a certain similarity with late medieval spearheads (e.g. Bonnamour 1990: Fig. 212), and it is therefore possible that this spear is not directly related to the defined group.
Fig. 30: Spears from Cognac and the Château de Fréteval.
Source: Bouzy 1994b: Fig. 447; pop.culture.gouv.fr.
Villeneuve-Saint-Georges
Bouzy depicts another remarkable spear with exceptionally long wings (Bouzy 1994b: Fig. 442; see Périn et al. 1985: 571). The wings are very wide and their upper and lower edges are parallel. We can agree with the author when he dates the spear to the Merovingian period.
Fig. 31: Spear from Villeneuve-Saint-Georges. Source: Bouzy 1994b: Fig. 442.
Conclusion
The study of the wing length has yielded an unexpected finding in the form of a more precise dating of a small but very interesting group of continental spears. This group was previously dated to the Carolingian period, but under the weight of new evidence it seems more likely to come from the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries and the first decades after. As this group has not yet been systematically studied, there is a good chance that new specimens and iconography will appear in the coming years that will help to adjust or refine our current estimate. There may still be unpublished spears of significant informative value in Western European archives. The author would be very grateful for any find that has not been listed in the catalogue.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Marcel Hermes for sending us a previously unpublished spear from his private collection. We would like to thank to Danilo Jovanovič for his help in finding the current owner of the spear from Vir – Posušje. We are very grateful to Elena Lichmanova (British Library) for examining the manuscript London, BL, Add. 5411. We must also mention Diego Flores Cartes, who is the author of the graph.
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