9th-12th century AD. A section of iron lamellar armour, composed of three rectangular plates, each perforated with seven holes, linking rings to the central and side plates. See Hjardar, K. and Vike, V., Vikings at war, Oxford-Philadelphia, 2016, pp.194-195, for the Birka lamellar armour and similar pieces; see also Khazarian lamellar armour from Verhniy Chir-Yurt graves and from Ostryi near Kislovodsk, 7th–8th centuries AD, and from ‘Kozzyi skaly’ on Mt Beshtau, near Pyatigorsk, 9th-10th century AD in Gorelik, M.V., ‘Arms and Armour in South-Eastern Europe in the Second Half of the First Millenium AD’, in D. Nicolle (ed.), A Companion to Medieval Arms and Armour, Woodbridge, 2002, p.134. 38.1 grams, 95mm (3 3/4"). Property of a Preston, UK, gentleman; acquired from The Antiques Centre, York, UK; formerly in a North Yorkshire collection since the mid 1970s; accompanied by a certificate of guarantee/receipt from Garry Edwards for £526.00. The lamellae were attached to thick padded garments in rows to give the wearer mobility and protection. The use of lamellar armour by the Vikings is very limited from an archaeological perspective. The only lamellar armour found in Scandinavia or connected directly with Viking warriors is the one from Birka, dated to the first half of 10th century AD, of probable Eastern Roman or Khazar origin; it is likely that the armour fragments offered here share that origin. Reference to Viking use of lamellar armour is rare in the written sources too, although the Sverres Saga relates that Erling Sverres was clad in lamellar armour at the battle of Kalvskinnet in 1179 AD. [No Reserve] Condition Report Fine condition.