Weapons

Life wasn’t all about fighting and battles. Just like today, it was mostly about earning a living, having good shelter and food, and a bit of respect from those around you. Maybe a bit of feasting, and if you were doing really well, why not show it off with luxury goods, a bit of bling! But there were times when it could get brutal, and it was good to be ready for whatever the danger might be. Only the rich could afford a sword, and it was often a showy piece of art as well! But everyone had a knife, for eating their meal, especially if they were lucky enough to be eating meat, or for their everyday work, cutting twine or leather, undergrowth, or whatever else a sharp point or edge could be useful for. Spears were for hunting as much as for fighting. The spearhead was quite expensive when metal, but a flint or shaped bone would be effective too. The shaft needed to be light but strong, and was longer than its owner was tall. If you were fighting the shield was imperative. Carried in the non-dominant hand, it’s hard edge could serve as a weapon as well as to protect. You started to train as a warrior when you were about 9, though if you were the son of a chief, or really keen, you would be learning to use them earlier.

When conflict reared its ugly head, a brave warrior would make his mark and earn respect. Often champions from one side would call out a champion from the other side, and sometimes the result of their contest might seal the result without anyone else having to take part. Victory brought respect, and honour, essential for a young warrior making his way.

Shields

Shields tended to be small, not used to protect the whole body. A smaller shield can be used to deflect incoming blows from bladed weapons, spears and even arrows. The handle would be under the central boss, which meant that as well as protecting the arm it could be moved quickly, and even held up at an angle. This way it could be used to hide an offensive move, or even used as a weapon itself, the edge striking unprotected areas such as the neck, elbow or thigh. Being light it would not weigh so much, so tiring its wearer less.

Swords and Slings

Swords were for the elite few, and often had ornate handles. The blades were made of steel, and would have been kept sharp with a wetting stone. Scabbards were often ornate, a symbol of the riches of its wearer. It was slung on the right side, with a ring and tang fastener.

Slings

The quickest weapon to hand, though not the easiest to use, is the sling, essentially a length of twine or leather with a pouch half way along to take a stone. One end of the rope is fastened to the hand, the other is a loop to fit over a finger. The weapon is whirled, and the loop round the finger released at the right moment to fling the stone towards its target. The stone usually weighs a 20 gm to 50 gm but travels at great speed. Useful for seeing off birds eating crops, or for killing small animals, it is a devastating weapon against humans too. Broken bones and internal injuries can be expected. In the right hands it is a deadly weapon, which is why it is rarely demonstrated at re-enactment events. A very skilled user can hit and bring down a bird in mid flight. But only a very skilled user can be sure of hitting their target, and even they can expect the odd misthrow which could send the stone in any direction.

Once the sling is mastered, it is a very light and discreet mid to long range weapon, with an endless supply of ammunition, though a collection of pebbles of the same shape and weight would make for more accurate slinging.

Battles

We only know what the Romans tell us, and their reports are questionable. It seems to depend on what result they wanted from the folks in Rome. One report will tell us that the late Iron Age people were savages, wearing animal skins and living in squalor, just crying out to be conquered and under good Roman rule. Another might say that in fact they are a brave and noble people, with good fighting skills and strong organisations, so we need more legions and greater support. When Julius Ceasar attacked the British Isles (Pretania) in 55 BC there was fierce fighting, but the Romans were forced back across the channel. The following year in 54 BC he forged ties with some tribes, and made further inroads into the hinterland, but strong opposition, together with uprisings on the mainland again forced a retreat. By this time they knew that the tribes at the western edge of civilisation were good and capable fighters, able to unite against a common foe, but too quarrelsome to keep this up for long.

Their reports tell of brave warriors offering single combat against the strongest fighter the Romans could send forward. A challenge the troops ignored. Rome’s strength was in organisation, in working as one unit to systematically destroy the opposition. One of the more successful tactics of the tribesman was their use of spear-men in chariots. A chariot could move quickly round the field of battle to rain spears upon the Roman troops, and then escape when their position was about to become untenable, only to move to new vantage point.