sværþ (OSw) sværth (ODan) sverð (ON) noun

In OSw, execution by sword was considered more honourable than other methods and could be used for robbery (HL, SdmL) and rape (SdmL). It seems generally assumed that capital punishments were carried out by the plaintiffs, but the king is given responsibility for the execution by sword in cases of excommunication over a year (DL, HL, SdmL). Swords were included among the common weapons of defence known as folkvapn (q.v.). The buying and selling of swords could be subject to regulations, in ÄVgL Tb concerning trade in bulk, diker sværþ ‘tens of swords’ and in ESjL 3 concerning the trade of swords with or without belts attached.

sword ODan ESjL 3
ODan JyL 3
ODan SkBL
ODan SkL 143, 144
ONorw GuL Mhb, Leb
OSw ÄVgL Tb
OSw BjR
OSw DL Kkb, Eb
OSw HL Kkb, Kgb, Mb, Rb
OSw KrL Kgb Eb DbII SmbI
OSw MEL Kgb Eb SmbI
OSw MESt Rb SmbI
OSw ÖgL Kmb
OSw SdmL Kkb, Kgb, Mb
OSw YVgL Tb
Expressions:

(döma) undir sværþ (OSw)

condemn to the sword OSw MEL Eb

(to sentence) to the sword OSw DL Kkb, Eb KrL Eb SdmL Kgb

put to the sword OSw UL Kkb, Kgb, Mb VmL Kkb, Kgb, Mb

sentence to be decapitated OSw HL Kkb

sentence to decapitation OSw HL Kgb

sentence under the sword OSw HL Mb

ivir meþ sværþ rætta (OSw)

execute by sword OSw HL Kkb

konungs sverð (ON)

the king’s sword (for execution) OIce Js Mah 3 ONorw FrL Intr 3

Refs:

Ambrius 1996, 45−47; Kjus 2011, 94−96; KLNM s.v. dødsstraf, sverd; Schlyter s.v. diker