| The medieval sword owes its development to the | | | | momentum when using the sword. This type of |
| Roman Spatha which was a long sword, not | | | | sword became known as the longsword. The |
| meant to be affective against armor (since there | | | | longsword was renowned for its reach and cutting |
| was little armor then). Medieval swords | | | | or thrusting abilities. It was double-edged (sharp |
| developed in connection with armor as well as | | | | on both sides), wide and about 4-4.5 feet long. |
| new fighting techniques which involved slashing. | | | | This was the ultimate battle sword. Also during |
| Making a sword in the medieval period might | | | | this period the Estoc or English Tuck type of |
| involve the labor of several men. It might | | | | sword was used and known for its amour piercing |
| involve a forger, a person who shaped the blade, | | | | capabilities. Estoc is French for point. It was a |
| a person who finished the blade, a polisher and | | | | nearly edgeless sword and meant for thrusting. |
| also a person who made the hilt of the sword. | | | | For more gripping power the Estoc sword’s |
| A very talented maker could do all of the jobs | | | | handle was sometimes wrapped in wire or animal |
| himself. Yet a sword maker’s product many | | | | leather. Similar to a rapier, it has a long, thin, |
| times varied in quality. The chemistry of metals | | | | straight rigid blade and was used to thrust in |
| was not well known or understood. Usually the | | | | between gaps in amour. |
| best, meaning most consistent, sword makers | | | | |
| were popular. In the medieval period Germany, | | | | Swords were either for war or for every day |
| Italy, Spain and France were the major sword | | | | use. Swords with Christian symbols were popular |
| making areas. Some towns became sword | | | | and worn as part of typical medieval garb. |
| making centers and remained so for decades, | | | | Rapiers, originating in Spain were the most popular |
| such as Solingen Germany. | | | | sword of civilians. Rapiers had long thin flexible |
| | | | | blades good for dueling with one hand. Rapiers |
| In the 11th century the Norman type of sword | | | | stayed in vogue until the 17th century. |
| was developed with a cross guard or quillions, | | | | |
| which protected the hand from being cut as well | | | | In the 16th century large swords requiring two |
| as trapped the sword of the opponent. This | | | | handed use were popular for war. In Germany |
| was one of the main types of swords used | | | | this was the Dopplehander and for the Scots this |
| throughout the 12th and 13th centuries and | | | | was the Claymore. Other swords of this type |
| became the stable. Many times the pommel | | | | were the Flamberge and Great Sword. These |
| area was different but the cruciform shape was | | | | large swords were not good for close fighting and |
| always the same. This sword was used in a | | | | required strength to master. The blades were |
| cutting fashion as opposed to stabbing. Most of | | | | either flat and wide or hexagonal and narrower. |
| the time a sword was designed to be most | | | | Some were diamond shaped. The blade could be |
| affective against armor. As armor changed so | | | | 50 inches long with a 12 inch grip length. |
| did swords. | | | | |
| | | | | The metal of a good blade was free of flaws. |
| From the 14th through the 15th centuries there | | | | Most sword makers of the medieval period used |
| were more innovative sword making designs, to | | | | intuition in forging a good steel sword. They had |
| keep up with the types of amour. The grip area | | | | little knowledge of metallurgy, carbon contents or |
| was lengthened as was the blade. This allowed | | | | the exact temperature needs. Consistent sword |
| for two handed use and thus stronger | | | | making required considerable talent. |