In this article, the author attempts to sift out from Old Norse (ON) written sources the early Viking Age terms for ship types and to link them to actual ships and ship depictions from that period. The author argues that knǫrr, beit, skeið, kjóll, askr, and elliði were the main ship types of the early Viking Age in Scandinavia, at least in the west, and that knerrir referred during this period to warships like Oseberg and only later to cargo ships like Skuldelev 1. ‘A ship with a backwards curved stem’ seems to have been the original meaning of knǫrr. Kjólar were heavy, all-round ships like Gokstad, the author argues, and beit were very early ships with angular stems known from depictions. Skeiðar were low, narrow ships like Ladby. Askar were also very early, small, light ships with stitched planking, whereas elliðar were combined inland / sea vessels, originally Eastern European.

Research in the Swedish military archives has revealed the identity of the 'Edesö Wreck' as the Bodekull belonging to the Swedish navy. The vessel was one of around 45 struss vessels ordered by King Karl X Gustav in 1659 to be used to transport troops and horses between the Danish isles. As a consequence of the king's sudden death in January 1660 and the end of the war against Denmark, the semi-finished purpose-built invasion fleet was rebuilt into vessels for which the navy had better use. It is still possible, however, to trace the original design of the vessel through the preserved hull structure.

This journal explores the history and evolution of warships, from ancient times to the modern era. It delves into the development of various types of warships, their roles in naval warfare, and the technological advancements that shaped their design. The journal highlights significant milestones in naval history and provides insights into the blurred distinction between warships and merchant ships during wartime. The aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution of warships and their importance in naval warfare.

What were the human experiences on board warships in the early modern period? Here, specific examples connected to battlefield situations and the practices on and below deck present clearer insights. Primarily, however, this anthology details the human organization of, and attitudes towards, systematic violence and warfare. How should we better explain and understand an addiction to war during this period and elsewhere in history? On War on Board is the result of a collaboration between archaeologists and historians using both material sources and written documents. The contributing authors explore subjects connected to warfare based on their expertise and research interests. URN: urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-40111 ISBN: 978-91-88663-86-3 (tryckt) ISBN: 978-91-88663-87-0 (digital) OAI: oai:DiVA.org:sh-40111DiVA, id: diva2:1391456