VENDEL PERIOD SCANDINAVIAN ELITE WARRIOR (6th - 8th centuries CE).

In Scandinavian archaeology, the Vendel Period appears between the collapse of the Western Roman Empire (which corresponds to the Germanic Iron Age in northern Europe) and the beginning of the Viking Age. The Vendel Period is part of the Migration Period (4th - 8th centuries) which is the period of the barbarian invasions that contributed to the fall of Rome, although “barbarian” migrations involved all of Europe, North Africa and much of Asia during that time. These events have traditionally been considered the transition between Antiquity and the Middle Ages.

It is believed that the barbarian migrations, as well as other major historical events that took place around that time, were a result of the Late Antique Little Ice Age, which may have been caused by a series of volcanic eruptions in different parts of the world. Despite the adverse climate of Scandinavia during this period, and the influx of Roman gold stopping with the fall of Rome, Vendel elite warriors were heavily armoured, and their military equipment was very opulent, with intricate decoration, gold, and garnet inlays that were imported from India or Sri Lanka. Vendel military equipment, like that of all the Germanic tribes of the time, was based on Late Roman equipment, which was in turn influenced by Sasanian designs. A helmet similar to those found at the Swedish aristocratic tombs of Vendel (the name-giver of the period) and Valsgärde is represented in the equestrian statue of the Sassanid king Khosrow II at Taq-e Bostan (Iran). Vendel helmets later evolved into the helmets of the Viking Age (like the Gjermundbu helmet from Norway).

Historical reproductions:

- Replica of one of the swords from Valsgärde by Patrick Bárta.

- Replica of the Torgård seax (battle knife) by Petr Florianek.

- Replica of the Åker belt buckle by Danegeld Historical Jewellery.

- Inspired by items worn by the re-enactment groups Swehanaz and Wulfheodenas.