Medieval Weapons, European Medieval Swords

The medieval sword owes its development to the Roman Spatha which was a long sword, not meant to be affective against armor (since there was little armor then).  Medieval swords developed in connection with armor as well as new fighting techniques which involved slashing.  Making a sword in the medieval period might involve the labor of several men.  It might involve a forger, a person who shaped the blade, a person who finished the blade, a polisher and also a person who made the hilt of the sword.  A very talented maker could do all of the jobs himself.  Yet a sword maker’s product many times varied in quality.  The chemistry of metals was not well known or understood.  Usually the best, meaning most consistent, sword makers were popular.  In the medieval period Germany, Italy, Spain and France were the major sword making areas.  Some towns became sword making centers and remained so for decades, such as Solingen Germany.

In the 11th century the Norman type of sword was developed with a cross guard or quillions, which protected the hand from being cut as well as trapped the sword of the opponent.  This was one of the main types of swords used throughout the 12th and 13th centuries and became the stable.  Many times the pommel area was different but the cruciform shape was always the same.  This sword was used in a cutting fashion as opposed to stabbing.  Most of the time a sword was designed to be most affective against armor.  As armor changed so did swords.

From the 14th through the 15th centuries there were more innovative sword making designs, to keep up with the types of amour.  The grip area was lengthened as was the blade.  This allowed for two handed use and thus stronger momentum when using the sword.  This type of sword became known as the longsword.  The longsword was renowned for its reach and cutting or thrusting abilities.  It was double-edged (sharp on both sides), wide and about 4-4.5 feet long.  This was the ultimate battle sword. Also during this period the Estoc or English Tuck type of sword was used and known for its amour piercing capabilities.  Estoc is French for point.  It was a nearly edgeless sword and meant for thrusting.  For more gripping power the Estoc sword’s handle was sometimes wrapped in wire or animal leather.  Similar to a rapier, it has a long, thin, straight rigid blade and was used to thrust in between gaps in amour.

Swords were either for war or for every day use.  Swords with Christian symbols were popular and worn as part of typical medieval garb.  Rapiers, originating in Spain were the most popular sword of civilians.  Rapiers had long thin flexible blades good for dueling with one hand.  Rapiers stayed in vogue until the 17th century.

In the 16th century large swords requiring two handed use were popular for war.  In Germany this was the Dopplehander and for the Scots this was the Claymore.  Other swords of this type were the Flamberge and Great Sword.  These large swords were not good for close fighting and required strength to master.  The blades were either flat and wide or hexagonal and narrower.  Some were diamond shaped.  The blade could be 50 inches long with a 12 inch grip length.

The metal of a good blade was free of flaws.  Most sword makers of the medieval period used intuition in forging a good steel sword.  They had little knowledge of metallurgy, carbon contents or the exact temperature needs.  Consistent sword making required considerable talent.