Angon

Evidence for the length of insular Anglo-Saxon spears is limited, but based on grave finds it has been estimated that they ranged in length from , compared to continental examples found at Nydam Mose in Denmark which range from long. Although shorter and lighter spears with smaller heads were generally preferred for use as javelins, an exception was the barbed angon, one of which was found at Abingdon with a head measuring . The barbs were designed to lodge in an opponent's shield (or body) so that it could not be removed and the long iron shank prevented the head from being cut from the shaft. The angon was likely designed to disable enemy shields, thus leaving combatants vulnerable, and disrupting enemy formations. The shaft may sometimes have been decorated or painted, and iron or bronze rings were sometimes fitted onto it which may have marked the center of balance and thus the best place to hold the weapon. ==Use==

dated to 6th–9th Century.|alt= Before the battle lines joined and warriors engaged in hand-to-hand combat, they would attempt to thin the enemy ranks with ranged weapons. This would begin with archery, followed by an exchange of javelins and throwing axes before closing. The maximum effective range of the angon and other javelins was probably depending on the length and weight of the weapon and the skill of the thrower. ==See also==