Sutton Hoo Damascus Sword

Made To Order
CURRENT LEAD TIME ON PRODUCTION: 6–12 Weeks

The Sutton Hoo Sword, also known as King Raedwald’s Sword, symbolizes the profound cultural and religious transformation from paganism to Christianity in early medieval England. This iconic weapon, recovered from the famous Mound 1 ship burial at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk, reveals the intricate web of trade and influence linking Anglo-Saxon England with contemporary cultures during the 7th century.

Part of a long tradition of Germanic swords dating back to the late Roman period, the Sutton Hoo Sword reflects the adaptation of the Roman cavalry spatha by northern tribes. This legacy is supported by many bog finds at Nydam, Kragehul, Vimose, and Illerup Adal. Its blade shape and fuller design endured well into the medieval era, reaching a decorative zenith in the 6th and 7th centuries with gold and jewel-encrusted hilts and elaborately adorned scabbards.

Discovered in 1939, the Mound 1 burial is dated to the early 7th century and is believed to be the grave of King Raedwald, who died around 625 A.D. The site also contained the largest known buried ship, measuring over 90 feet. Among the 19 known mounds at Sutton Hoo, many were looted, likely during Elizabethan times, with only a few swords recovered besides the Mound 1 sword, including one from Mound 17.

This sword features a pattern-welded iron blade, displaying intricate herringbone or snake-like markings that enhance both strength and beauty. Rich gold fittings adorn the weapon—the pommel is inlaid with garnet cloisonné, the guards are crafted from gold plates, and the grip boasts two gold mounts decorated with delicate filigree—making it a masterpiece of early medieval craftsmanship and heritage.