Drums

Sadly, we have absolutely no idea what a Viking or Anglo-Saxon drum would have looked like. Understandably given the available materials, not one has been found in the ground. The Psalters contain images that suggest a bucket-drum shape but this cannot be relied upon without hard evidence. Even more frustratingly, rawhide frame drums were certainly played by the Saami peoples of Scandinavia’s most Northern reaches, but there is no sound evidence on precisely the types of drums that were available and used by the Vikings and the Anglo Saxons. In spite of this, we know from sources that rhythmic beating of weapons on shields was performed. The purpose of this may have been to frighten the enemy and/or to build up courage among their own men.