The Seax of Beagnoth — also known as the Thames Scramasax — is one of the most important surviving blades of the Anglo-Saxon world. Discovered in the River Thames in 1857 and now preserved in the British Museum, it is renowned for bearing the only known complete inscription of the twenty-eight-letter Anglo-Saxon runic alphabet found on a blade. Dating to the 9th or early 10th century, this langseax represents the highest development of the Anglo-Saxon knife tradition — not a utility tool but a prestigious possession, likely carried by a warrior or individual of status. What sets the original apart is its inscription: the runic alphabet rendered alongside the name ‘Beagnoth,’ believed to identify either the owner or the smith. In early Medieval belief, runes carried meaning well beyond simple letters, often associated with identity, protection, and knowledge.
Part of our premium Primus range, this reproduction faithfully captures the defining features of the original, finished with genuine gold and silver inlay to recreate the iconic runic sequence — a level of craftsmanship that places this piece firmly in the museum-grade category. Due to the complexity of the inlay work, it is produced only on request.
A centrepiece for serious collectors, museum-style display, and any collection dedicated to Anglo-Saxon material culture.
