| When someone refers to a "medieval" sword, | | | | be added to replace an old worn one. It's possible |
| they are generally speaking of a sword that | | | | that the sword a great-great grandson bore no |
| would have been carried by either a knight or a | | | | longer resembled the original. |
| soldier during the Middle Ages. Although the exact | | | | Arming swords in warfare were used mostly as |
| start and end dates of the medieval age have | | | | backup weapons for lances and much larger battle |
| been disputed for years, all my references (unless | | | | swords. The knight would draw these swords |
| otherwise noted) refer to the period between | | | | when dismounted, or when his other weapons |
| 500 A.D. (around the time the Roman Empire was | | | | were lost or broken. The arming sword, however, |
| ending) to about 1500 AD (around the time when | | | | would have been used quite often in one-on-one |
| the renaissance was beginning). | | | | combat and in smaller scale combats. In some |
| The knight and his arming sword were inseparable. | | | | tourneys, knights would first joust with lances, |
| Though a knight might switch other weapons | | | | then, when unseated, would draw their arming |
| throughout his life and even during a single battle, | | | | sword and continue the combat. |
| the arming sword was his for life. In fact, it was | | | | Medieval swords ranged in length, but when when |
| likely that a knight would go through more wives | | | | people refer to an arming sword, they are usually |
| than arming swords, and, when you consider that | | | | referring to a blade that is less than 38 inches or |
| arming swords were often handed down from | | | | so. These swords were almost always worn by |
| generation to generation, it's quite possible that an | | | | the knight except in combat (when the knight |
| entire family tree would use the same sword. | | | | would usually bring a larger battle sword). Swords |
| Because of this, arming swords were much more | | | | of longer length from that time period are |
| than just weapons. They became symbols of the | | | | sometimes referred to as "Infantry Swords," |
| men who carried them. Badges of honor, symbols | | | | "Battle Swords," "Hand-and-a-Half Swords" or |
| of rank and nobility, and messages to all that the | | | | "Two-Handed Swords," depending on the style |
| bearer was both a gentleman and warrior; that he | | | | and who was wielding them. |
| could save your soul or take it in an instant. | | | | Medieval swords almost always have pommels |
| The relationship between the knight and his | | | | (often using a variation of the standard "disk" |
| arming sword was similar, if not so religious, as | | | | pommel), usually have well defined crosses |
| the relationship between a samurai and his katana. | | | | (gaurd), and typically have long fullers (indented |
| Knights would have sacred or other meaningful | | | | grooves running along the blade). (Ewart |
| words inscribed into the blades of their swords, | | | | Oakeshott is perhaps the most well-known of all |
| inlaid with silver or gold. These words served as | | | | sword historians. He's written several books on |
| both an inspiration and personal motto for them. | | | | swords and has developed the best known sword |
| Occasionally, knights would rent out space on their | | | | classification system. If you're interested in the |
| swords to local merchants, and would, with each | | | | various types of knightly swords throughout |
| kill, proclaim "This death was brought to you by | | | | history, his books are a great start). |
| Samuel's Bake Shop, where you don't have to | | | | The most common sword-forging technique |
| spend a lot of bread to get a loaf" or something | | | | during the early medieval ages was known as |
| similar. Actually, I don't think those last two | | | | "Pattern Welding." This is a technique of folding |
| sentences are true, but it would have been a | | | | metal and grinding/pounding it down into itself |
| good way for the knights to raise money for | | | | repeatedly. Pattern-welding caused visible "waves" |
| their church, now wouldn't it? | | | | and patterns in the metal, thus giving it its name. |
| As mentioned, arming swords were handed down | | | | Asian (particularly Japanese) smiths took this |
| from generation to generation. The swords, used | | | | technique further, and are generally regarded as |
| in combat, often suffered damage or breakage, | | | | having "perfected" the style, although Japanese |
| so the blade would be refitted, or a new pommel | | | | forging techniques are quite different from the |
| would be attached, or perhaps a new grip would | | | | original pattern welding of the middle ages. |