Viking or Carolingian sword is a type of sword that was prevalent in Western and Northern Europe during the Middle Ages. The Viking sword was invented in the eighth century from the Merovingian sword and was the main sword used by the Vikings based in Scandinavia. The sword was taken from the Roman sword by Gladius. It is a one-handed sword with a sharp head and edges designed for cutting and pushing. Viking swords remained popular until the 12th century when they met with the Norman swords which were the first stages of the knightly sword.