Archeurope: Early Medieval Archaeology

Vendel Helmets Page 3

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“Fallen Warrior” Helmet Plate Valsgärde grave VII

“Fallen Warrior” Helmet Plate Valsgärde grave VIII

This distinctive form of helmet also appears on the two Valsgärde examples of the “Fallen Warrior” motive. This motive derives from a popular theme found on Roman officers’ gravestone, where the officer is seen mounted on horseback and riding down a native warrior (for example, the Gravestone of Longinus Sdapeze a junior cavalry officer who was stationed at Camulodunum).

The original Roman motif has been adapted to show a spear-carrying mounted warrior riding down a fallen warrior. The fallen warrior is plunging his sword into the horse, and a small figure can be seen guiding the spear of the mounted warrior. This figure is usually seen as a depiction of the War God Othin, or Woden, guiding the spear of one of his chosen warriors. In the examples from Valsgärde VII and VIII the War God is wearing one of these distinctive helmets.

“Fallen Warrior” Helmet Plate Sutton Hoo Ship Burial

Embossed Disc from Pliezhausen

The “Fallen Warrior” motive is known from other Germanic contexts of this period. A similar scene is depicted on one of the plates from the Sutton Hoo Helmet, and an embossed metal disk from Pliezhausen, Germany also carries a similar motive.

 

 

 

 

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