Knowledge about military technology in the Viking Age, late 8th to mid-11th century Europe is based on very sparse archaeological finds, pictorial representation, and to some extent on the accounts in the Norse sagas and laws recorded in the 14th century. According to custom, all free Norse men were required to own weapons and armour and permitted to carry them at all times. Indeed, the Hávamál, purported to be sage advice given by Odin, states "Don't leave your weapons lying about behind your back in a field"
