The Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon helmet

Just happened to run across this; very interesting.

Angela said:

Just happened to run across this; very interesting.

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One of the most beautiful and enigmatic artworks of the Early Middle Ages. The decorative typology of King Raedwald's funeral treasure traces above all to the second zoomorphic style, which according to some theories should have radiated from southwestern Germany (therefore in the middle of the Alemannic area) to other European territories. Then it falls into a class of artifacts in their own "international" way, which tend to merge and to hybridize in an original mode more artistic ideas. The helmet is a pot-pourri: trying to understand for example where the saxon handicraft component begins and ends that of the Angles - in a helmet that has taken and re-elaborates iranian / sassanid, roman forms (typical of gladiator armors, like the mask) , with the massive addition of elements of the scandinavian culture of Vendel / Valsgärde - becomes an exercise to blend the brain.

What is more certain is that the experts focused mainly on the Viking-Swedish component, corroborated by the fact that this warrior and his treasure were buried in a funeral ship. Which is typically Scandinavian custom: see Oseberg's most recent ship
http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/stili-animalistici_(Enciclopedia-dell'-Arte-Medievale)/

The Sutton-Hoo helmet also has the historical merit of highlighting some close affinities with contemporary artifacts from Sweden. A sign that perhaps there were political or trade and cultural ties with Scandinavia and northern Europe, before the relations were crumbled with the danish raids of the 9th-10th centuries in Britain.

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The Swedish connection is also a family connection of the East Angles, and the Anglian peoples who settled England.

The helmet die stamped pieces have similarly been found in Northern area's of England, settled by the Angles, from the early 6th century. I myself live in the North East of England and have actually seen bronze die stamped items, identical to those on the Sutton Hoo helmet from a nearby Anglian Cemetary.

The Sutton Hoo Burial is related to the Royal family of the Wuffingas, They are associated with, and believed to of descended from the Swedish Royal house of Scylfings (swede's ) of Uppsala.

Raedwalds own semi/lengendary G/Grandfather 'Wehha', is also linked to being the same person as 'Weohstan', the father of the 'Wiglaf' in Beowulf, and belonged to the same clan ( Waegmundinga's ) as 'Ecgtheow'.

Ecgtheow had earlier been banned for killing a member of the Wuffinga's, he had also married a daughter of the King of the Geats and was the father of Beowulf. At the death of Beowulf,( a Geat ), Wiglaf ordered the exile of Beowulfs colleagues/warriors, and this may be the reason some came first to England

Wehha
l
Wuffa = (wuffingas )
l
Tyttla
l
Raedwald.

The recent Staffordshire Hoard has also many similar 'Anglian' cultural decorated items on the weapon parts showing that the Sutton Hoo style of decoration may of been a lot more widespread throughout England, than previously believed, and therefore the ties, and connections a lot stronger.

The Helmet Style, most probably has roots from the earlier Roman area and period type's of Imperial Gallic Helmets with their significant neck, and cheek guards, to which local Cultural Artwork, and facemask were added.

The Sutton Hoo artwork, and Helmet are fantasic views into our past, and the archaeology is supporting the legends,and surrounding connections, with the Vendal/Uppsala area.

I believe and hope Genetics will also finally be able to solve, and confirm the family links between the two peoples in that area, beyond any doubt soon.