The photo on the cover of ‘Book One: Inheritance’ is of an extraordinary replica of the ‘Gilling sword’, made by swordsmith Patrick Barta, with the photo taken by Tomas Man. The photo for ‘Book Two: Vengeance’ is of Patrick’s replica of the Abingdon Sword.
Patrick Barta makes highly detailed replicas of many styles of sword and weaponry, each of a very high quality of workmanship. He works with museums and academic institutions, both making detailed replicas and working on conservation of original weapons.
The cover design for Book One is by Viscom Studios and for Book Two is by Amelia Blantern.
The Gilling sword was found near Gilling West, Richmond, North Yorkshire in 1976 and is now in the Yorkshire Museum in York. It is dated to the 9th century. It is of just the period of Alfred, and is the the type of sword that a King would have used for ceremonial purposes.
According to the Ashmolean Museum‘s description of the Abingdon sword, “The decoration hilt indicates this was a high status weapon dating from around AD 875.” (https://britisharchaeology.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/highlights/abingdon-sword.html)
You wonder if Alfred himself may have owned one of the other.
