Can you solve the code in the sword? British Library appeals for help in cracking enigmatic code

Figured this might be something ATS could have a little fun with.

So the British Museum is asking for a hand in cracking the 18 letter inscription on a sword found in 1825. The inscription reads : NDXOXCHWDRGHDXORVI.

I'm sort of guessing if it's figured out it's going to be a sex pun or fart joke, but it's still interesting.





It is thought to be from the 13th century, and to have belonged to a medieval knight. The language of the inscription is unknown, but it's been postulated the sword was made in Germany.

'The variety of languages that people are speculating its written in is interesting from Sicilian to Welsh'.
Janet Kennedy believes CHWDRGHD – in the middle of the inscription – is a misspelling of the German word for sword, making ORVI a name.
However, Joe commented on the blog: ‘It looks like medieval Welsh: “No covering shall be over me,” possibly meaning the sword and it's' owner will always be ready for battle’.

Apparently, it could also mean nothing.

‘Saxon swords in particular often had inscriptions on them that didn't actually say anything because the people buying them (or making them) were illiterate.

I like that the article mentions how people get Chinese or Japanese symbol tattoos and often don't have any idea if they actually say anything.

Harrison said: 'I'm not optimistic we'll ever find a definitive answer [as to what the inscription means] but it's a lovely game to play.'

I like this attitude. It IS a fun game to play. The more exposure the inscription gets, the more chances someone will recognize it, which is why it is now on ATS for all us weirdos to see!

Link

a reply to: Domo1

I'd say this bit here is correct

‘Saxon swords in particular often had inscriptions on them that didn't actually say anything because the people buying them (or making them) were illiterate.

because theres only 2 vowels on it and they're both the letter 'O'...

So im going with the above quote

a reply to: Domo1


Looks very much like 14th century Welsh. Similar in style as this Cardiff 14th century iron sword.

14th century Cardiff sword

a reply to: SecretKnowledge

Yeah, that's honestly what I would think even without reading that snippet, but you never know. It's still fun to speculate and hope some ATS weirdo (no dig, I embrace the weirdness) has some obscure knowledge of a long forgotten language (that was a little redundant I guess) and will be able to decipher the fart joke.

a reply to: liteonit6969

Nice! They certainly appear similar! Even if it's nonsense, I feel like I'm going to enjoy reading responses and how quick members of ATS show what they know!

I don't know what it says, but it is beautiful! Thank you for sharing. I love seeing things like this on ATS.

They should send it to the Forgotten Languages Website....

"be sure to drink your ovaltine"

a reply to: Pebujesa

A crummy commercial?



It probably says "Bob's swords, be sure to stab with Bob's swords"

a reply to: Domo1

My first guess was Welsh or Breton of that time period. I am fascinated by the cruciform symbol that indicates the start and the finish of the sequence. I wonder if it is in fact something from the Christian scriptures in which each character represents the first letter of a word in a sentence. 'Tis a puzzlement.

a reply to: Domo1

It appears to hAve excalibur design to it. And the style of the v is typical of that time.

I think

It's the serial number.

It says "MY OTHER SWORD'S A PORSCHE"

It says "Glamdring"

a reply to: Domo1

Yes, but if I tell you what it says and you look in a mirror and say it three times, game over. Think candy man but worse

a reply to: Domo1

The crosses at the beginning and end remind me of the fake Ulfberht swords that have been found that had the inlay as +VLFBERHT+ instead of +VLFBERH+T.

a reply to: Domo1

not any scandinavian language

That sword looks too good, too well preserved, to be from the 13th century. Could they have dated it wrong?

Sh## happens?

It reads:

"Sword of Narsil, kingdom of Dúnedain"

originally posted by: ATSAlex
It reads:

"Sword of Narsil, kingdom of Dúnedain"

LOL