STEADFAST (Stedefæst)

The Steadfast Sword or Seax. Mark Taylor; English artist

Above is a picture of a single edged Lang Seax. It is engraved with the runes spelling the word Steadfast. Steadfast is an ancient English word that promotes resilience and courage. Seax (or Sax or Seaxe,) essentially means ‘sword’. It was a common weapon amongst early Anglo-Saxon tribes, such as the Engles (Angles) in Denmark in the 5th Century AD, the original tribe of English. The Lang Seax was a single edged sword. Shorter versions of the Seax were used for eating and as tools. The reason it is shown is that it was generally worn on the front of the person and was a sign of free English men and women. It was a sign being English, and is part of a huge number of recognisable English symbols.

Steadfast and Offa I of the Engles

Why is the Steadfast sword depicted here as a Seax? Why not a large two-edged Anglo-Saxon sword? Clearly there is the link back in time to the origins of ethnic English. The Seax worn on the front of the personage held in a hanging leather sheath was the symbol of free English people, recognisable to themselves and others. But the answer, which is not definite, lies in the fact that when he first wielded Steadfast, Offa I of the Engle was only 13 years old. Despite his reputed adult like strength, it is likely that we would have carried a Seax rather than a full sized sword. It would have been easier to use and would have delivered a powerful strike. So what is the connection between the first Offa and this sword? How can a 13 year old be wielding such a weapon?

The answer lies in the Old England (Engeln or Angeln,) of the 400’s AD. Before the Engles came to migrate to what is now called England. At that time Wærmund was the old and blind King of the Engle. Wærmund’s son was the 13-year-old Offa. Of extraordinary stature, it was said that he never spoke, laughed or made merry.

When Wærmund was beginning to go blind, the King of the Swæfe (Swabians) sent envoys to him, commanding that he give up his kingdom since he no longer had the strength to rule it.

Offa offered to take his blind fathers place. A time and place were set for the duel.

The people of Angeln offered Offa coats of mail, but each one was too tight for his wide chest, and he split the links so broad was he. In the end Wærmund commanded that they cut his coat of mail away on the left side and patch it with a buckle.

Next they gave Offa swords to try, but Offa shattered each of them, one after the other. Then Wærmund offered his own weapon. Steadfast. It is said that this sword had a ‘thin’ edge and a ‘thick’ edge (like a Seax.)

The duel was to take place on an island in the middle of the river Eider. Offa crossed to the island alone; to face not just the heir to the Swabian throne, but also a famous Swabian champion accompanied the Swæfe atheling. Two against the 13-year-old Offa. Dense crowds lined the banks on either side. Wærmund stood at one end of the bridge, ready to fling himself in the waters if his son was beaten. But Offa was invincible and killed both. He was the hero of Angeln. He went on to become Offa I of the Engle and of the Swabians. Several of his descendents crossed the grey North Sea to Britannia after Adventus Saxonum in 449 AD to become Kings of Kent, and of the Mercians.

Offa I of the Engle with his seax sword ‘Steadfast’ kills the Swabians as his Engle supporters watch with the banner of the White Dragon of the English flying behind. Artist: Mark Taylor.

Reference: Northvegr.org

Reference: ‘The English Warrior’ by Stephen Pollington ISBN 1-898282-42-4

The formation of the Steadfast Trust for the Ethnic English

The link above is to the Steadfast Trust charity website. Its website states that:

The logo employs the English White Dragon as its symbol and it has the Old English for urum þeode (for our people) as its motto.

These symbols and words endeavour to get a sense of connection with the ethnic roots of the English. A north European people, of ancient descent.