Circa 700-900 AD. A long iron sword with a long, pointed, bevelled blade, a rectangular guard, and a long, rectangular tang for affixing a handle. The Migration Period of European history during and after the decline of the Western Roman empire saw the widespread migration of and invasions by peoples, notably Germanic tribes and the Huns, within and into the Roman Empire. Many of these warlike peoples were heavily armed and able to carve out their own kingdoms through force of arms. This sword may have belonged to a warrior from a Germanic tribe, who fought for his people’s place in the world during a brutal and savage time when might in battle was prized above all else. For similar style see Sotheby's, lot 225, 24 October 2007. Size: L:410mm / W:25mm ; 155g. Provenance: Private UK collection; Formerly acquired on the European art market from pre-2000 collections.