Medieval and Renaissance Sword History

The term 'sword' originates from the old Englishtechniques were also brought to Europe.
word 'sweord.' Terms for this weapon are alsoScandinavian Vikings introduced carbon steel, a
found in Old High German, Middle Dutch, Oldvery strong metal for the making of swords.
Norse, Old Saxon, and other ancient languages.The sword was developed from the Spantha in
Clearly, the sword was part of culture and societyconjunction with new fighting techniques and new
beginning thousands of years ago. In fact, thearmor styles. During the fourteenth and fifteenth
first bladed weapons are thought to originate incenturies, not only armor but also swords saw
the Bronze Age. Though technically a sword isgreat improvements. Sword blades became much
double-edged, some long single-edged weaponslonger, and could be used with two hands. This
may also be referred to as swords simplynew type of sword was known as a longsword,
because of their length.and it often measured four feet or even longer.
By the Iron age, swords had been developedIts extreme reach and improved cutting abilities
throughout Europe. The Hittites, the Mycenaeanmade it very useful in battle. The grip was
Greeks, and other ancient cultures from the 13thsometimes wrapped with animal hide for a better
to the 8th century BC are known to have hadgrip and to make it harder for an opponent to
iron swords at their disposal. Iron swords wereknock it from the user's hand. From the thirteenth
slightly better in terms of strength and hardnessto the sixteenth century, many manuscripts
when compared to earlier bronze swords, butsurvive covering longsword combat techniques,
were still prone to bending in battle. Both theproviding extensive information on their use. Other
Greek and Roman empires had arsenals of ironswords besides the longsword also became
swords.important, including the Estoc. The estoc sword
The medieval sword's development began withwas known for its armor piercing capabilities, and
the Roman 'Spantha.' This long sword waswas designed with a very sharp point. It was
ineffective against armor, though there wasnearly edgeless, making it useless for slashing
comparatively little armor in the Roman period.motions, and was meant only for thrusting
Sword construction in the medieval periodthrough armor. Swords became longer and
involved several craftsman, such as the forger ofheavier throughout this period.
the blade, the polisher, and the person whoWhen compared to medieval swords, Renaissance
constructed the hilt of the sword. Because metalswords were smaller, thinner, and shorter. The
chemistry was not well understood, in this eraextremely long swords of centuries past were
swords varied widely in their quality.not good for close combat fighting. As the metal
Around the tenth century, the use of properlyindustry grew, new sword technologies allowed
tempered steel became much more common,for thinner and lightweight swords. Throughout the
and knife blades achieved a consistently highmodern age, swords fell in military importance,
quality. Damascus steel, developed on the Indianthough they evolved into civilian sidearms. The
subcontinent as early as the 5th century BC,shortsword, much shorter than the swords seen
became highly prized because of its propertiesin earlier centuries, became a fashion accessory in
and high quality. Blades made with this steel wereEurope by the seventeenth century. The
known for a very hard cutting edge. From aroundsmallsword and the rapier remained popular as
1300 to 1500, this type of steel became verydueling swords into the mid-18th century.
popular for weaponry. Other swordmaking