+VLFBERHT: name? Brand? Invocation?

Jim McDougall · Yesterday, 03:05 PM

Reventlov, I am so glad to have you in on this!! and you make many resounding points, especially noting the matter of scribes!!! I had not thought of that, and that is most important about their application of the crosses on documents.
The question of these names/wordings applied to blades by illiterate workmen copying these scribed documents would definitely account for the often seen variation in spellings, wording etc.
Also the well made point about symmetry makes perfect sense. Even in native cultures applying certain symbolism to material culture items, the intent is of course often magic imbuement, so aesthetics having to do with the kinds of balance key to such ethereal values would be important.

At this point, I really am compelled to agree that ULFBERHT was likely a name and as mentioned, wonder if by the character of the meaning of the name etymologically became attractive in the sense of a 'brand' in the manner centuries later with ANDREA FERARA.

While Andrea Ferara was indeed a living individual, his name in literal terms meant good steel effectively, so was readily adapted as a trademark. While obviously there were many master blademakers, their names did not carry that instant impact of direct meaning.

With ULFBERHT, the key word element 'wolf' represented the fierce and legendary 'berserk' warriors, and Vikings were attracted to such totemic similes and wordings as many named their own weapons. I personally have always felt that the ubiquitous 'running wolf of Passau' was a slightly later graphic imbuement carrying similar concept toward warriors.

If you are choosing a powerful sword to wield in battle, what better choice than such magic imbuement in the blade?

Naturally other kinds of imbuement became well known with religious invocations, phrases and mottos, in many cases abbreviated , DIC, NED etc. as you note on palindromes. including many curious acrostics which appear as mysterious jumbled letters, while the warrior ethos remained present in degree though such symbols as the wolf.

urbanspaceman · Today, 10:30 AM

This is a foreign territory for me except in one instance: having been in photographic sales (cameras, lenses etc) and also in Hi-Fi sales back in the seventies and 'eighties when performing wasn't keeping a roof over my head.
What I think we must remember is that traders have never changed, in that they get out of bed in the mornings to make as much money as possible (seems perfectly reasonable). "CAVEAT EMPTOR" is the example of our response to those tricky dealers who think nothing of adding anything to a product's description in the hope it will stimulate sales.
It prevails right across history and, naturally, still exists everywhere today. "DIGITAL" was appended to all and sundry back in the 'nineties as a way to imply state-of-the-art technology - even if it was a washing machine that they were selling!
Traders being well aware of the ultra-high standard of the ULFBERHT blades (that were probably in very short supply) would be quite content to add the moniker to anything in their stock. I don't know enough about this issue to apply this to those blades in question but consider today's system of making subtle modifications to the moniker in order not to contravene trademarks etc; or to suggest "even better!" of the product.
Just thought I might remind everyone of the realities of retail.

Jim McDougall · Today, 02:31 PM

Well noted Keith! and this area is totally a learning curve for me as well, and more fascinating as we move onward.

These practices of imitation and commerce are absolutely nothing new, despite obviously changes in technology etc. human nature prevails;

"...the more things change, the more they are the same"
Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr
in "Les Guepes" 1849
French journalist, novelist

urbanspaceman · Today, 06:32 PM

Hey Jim, this is just one area that you have opened up for exploration on the forum but, ironically enough, it is probably the most important.
I have asked a few questions myself over my time spent getting to the source of the Shotley Bridge story and I am still exploring the perimeters of that tale and finding that answers are not readily available.
I keep thinking that - being such a newcomer - others, far more experienced, must have already tread these paths but... one thing I am almost absolutely convinced of is, if it was ever written down, you will have a copy in your boundless library. So when it stumps you too I realise this is yet another area remaining unexplored over the centuries.
I can see why so many collectors constrain their efforts to 1800 onwards. Personally, I prefer the challenge. Glutton for punishment.

Yesterday, 03:05 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,488	Reventlov, I am so glad to have you in on this!! and you make many resounding points, especially noting the matter of scribes!!! I had not thought of that, and that is most important about their application of the crosses on documents. The question of these names/wordings applied to blades by illiterate workmen copying these scribed documents would definitely account for the often seen variation in spellings, wording etc. Also the well made point about symmetry makes perfect sense. Even in native cultures applying certain symbolism to material culture items, the intent is of course often magic imbuement, so aesthetics having to do with the kinds of balance key to such ethereal values would be important. At this point, I really am compelled to agree that ULFBERHT was likely a name and as mentioned, wonder if by the character of the meaning of the name etymologically became attractive in the sense of a 'brand' in the manner centuries later with ANDREA FERARA. While Andrea Ferara was indeed a living individual, his name in literal terms meant good steel effectively, so was readily adapted as a trademark. While obviously there were many master blademakers, their names did not carry that instant impact of direct meaning. With ULFBERHT, the key word element 'wolf' represented the fierce and legendary 'berserk' warriors, and Vikings were attracted to such totemic similes and wordings as many named their own weapons. I personally have always felt that the ubiquitous 'running wolf of Passau' was a slightly later graphic imbuement carrying similar concept toward warriors. If you are choosing a powerful sword to wield in battle, what better choice than such magic imbuement in the blade? Naturally other kinds of imbuement became well known with religious invocations, phrases and mottos, in many cases abbreviated , DIC, NED etc. as you note on palindromes. including many curious acrostics which appear as mysterious jumbled letters, while the warrior ethos remained present in degree though such symbols as the wolf. Last edited by Jim McDougall; Yesterday at 03:24 PM.

Today, 10:30 AM	#2
urbanspaceman Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Tyneside. North-East England Posts: 699	never mind the quality... feel the width This is a foreign territory for me except in one instance: having been in photographic sales (cameras, lenses etc) and also in Hi-Fi sales back in the seventies and 'eighties when performing wasn't keeping a roof over my head. What I think we must remember is that traders have never changed, in that they get out of bed in the mornings to make as much money as possible (seems perfectly reasonable). "CAVEAT EMPTOR" is the example of our response to those tricky dealers who think nothing of adding anything to a product's description in the hope it will stimulate sales. It prevails right across history and, naturally, still exists everywhere today. "DIGITAL" was appended to all and sundry back in the 'nineties as a way to imply state-of-the-art technology - even if it was a washing machine that they were selling! Traders being well aware of the ultra-high standard of the ULFBERHT blades (that were probably in very short supply) would be quite content to add the moniker to anything in their stock. I don't know enough about this issue to apply this to those blades in question but consider today's system of making subtle modifications to the moniker in order not to contravene trademarks etc; or to suggest "even better!" of the product. Just thought I might remind everyone of the realities of retail.

Today, 02:31 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,488	Caveat Emptor Well noted Keith! and this area is totally a learning curve for me as well, and more fascinating as we move onward. These practices of imitation and commerce are absolutely nothing new, despite obviously changes in technology etc. human nature prevails; "...the more things change, the more they are the same" Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr in "Les Guepes" 1849 French journalist, novelist

Today, 06:32 PM	#4
urbanspaceman Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Tyneside. North-East England Posts: 699	turn over every stone Hey Jim, this is just one area that you have opened up for exploration on the forum but, ironically enough, it is probably the most important. I have asked a few questions myself over my time spent getting to the source of the Shotley Bridge story and I am still exploring the perimeters of that tale and finding that answers are not readily available. I keep thinking that - being such a newcomer - others, far more experienced, must have already tread these paths but... one thing I am almost absolutely convinced of is, if it was ever written down, you will have a copy in your boundless library. So when it stumps you too I realise this is yet another area remaining unexplored over the centuries. I can see why so many collectors constrain their efforts to 1800 onwards. Personally, I prefer the challenge. Glutton for punishment.