In March of last year, during dredging work in the Korte Linschoten River in the Dutch province of Utrecht, a medieval sword dated between 1050 and 1150 was found in an exceptional state of preservation. It has now been donated to the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (National Museum of Antiquities) in Leiden.
After thorough cleaning and analysis, experts confirmed that it was a complete sword one meter in length, with a hilt featuring a wide crossguard and a nut-shaped pommel—typical features of weapons manufactured between the 11th and 12th centuries. This was a time when the bishop of Utrecht held dominion over the area, a period also marked by the rise of the counts of Holland and Flanders.
What makes the sword particularly valuable are the intricate motifs engraved on its blade. On one side, a sonnenrad or “sun wheel” can be seen—a symbol consisting of a circle and a cross that, during the Middle Ages, was considered a sacred emblem used in the consecration of churches, especially in areas where Christianity was beginning to take hold.
On the opposite side of the blade, there is a geometric pattern made up of five interlaced squares within a circle—a symbol known as the endless knot, which is common in Viking culture and is associated with protection, unbreakable strength, and bonds of loyalty.
The sword, which has a double-edged blade and weighs about 900 grams, survived in good condition thanks to the anaerobic properties of the clay soil, which prevented corrosion.
However, to prevent deterioration after exposure to air, the museum subjected the weapon to a rigorous conservation process: it was immersed for ten weeks in a special bath to remove salts, then rinsed, dried, and treated with tannins to stabilize the metal.
The absence of marks indicating it had been inside a scabbard suggests that the sword was deliberately deposited in the river, perhaps as part of a ritual or offering, during a time when neither the castle nor the manorial estate of Linschoten yet existed—when the area was still a marshland in the process of drainage and colonization.
This sword tells the story of a time when symbolism and spirituality were deeply intertwined, and when a simple design could transcend centuries, said a spokesperson for the Montfoort City Council in 2024. Its refined craftsmanship and symbolic depth make it not only a historical relic, but also a work of art that reflects the cultural complexity of early medieval Europe.
The so-called Linschoten Sword is now on display in the new acquisitions showcase at the Leiden museum, where it will remain until September.
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