Wars with two-handed swords in history. Sword: history of weapons, two-handed and bastard swords

Few other types of weapons have left such a mark in the history of our civilization. For thousands of years, the sword was not just a murder weapon, but also a symbol of courage and valor, a warrior’s constant companion and a source of pride. In many cultures, the sword represented dignity, leadership, and strength. Around this symbol in the Middle Ages, a professional military class was formed and its concepts of honor were developed. The sword can be called the real embodiment of war; varieties of this weapon are known to almost all cultures of antiquity and the Middle Ages.

The knight's sword of the Middle Ages symbolized, among other things, the Christian cross. Before knighting, the sword was kept in the altar, cleansing the weapon from worldly filth. During the initiation ceremony, the weapon was presented to the warrior by the priest.

With the help of a sword they were knighted; this weapon was necessarily part of the regalia used at the coronation crowned persons Europe. The sword is one of the most common symbols in heraldry. We see it everywhere in the Bible and the Koran, in medieval sagas and in modern fantasy novels. However, despite its enormous cultural and social significance, the sword primarily remained a melee weapon, with the help of which it was possible to send the enemy to the next world as quickly as possible.

The sword was not available to everyone. Metals (iron and bronze) were rare, expensive, and it took a lot of time and skilled labor to make a good blade. In the early Middle Ages, it was often the presence of a sword that distinguished the leader of a detachment from an ordinary commoner warrior.

A good sword is not just a strip of forged metal, but a complex composite product consisting of several pieces of steel of different characteristics, properly processed and hardened. European industry was able to ensure the mass production of good blades only towards the end of the Middle Ages, when the importance of edged weapons had already begun to decline.

A spear or battle ax was much cheaper, and it was much easier to learn how to use them. The sword was a weapon of the elite, professional warriors, and definitely a status item. To achieve true mastery, a swordsman had to train daily, for many months and years.

Historical documents who have come down to us say that the cost of a sword of average quality could be equal to the price of four cows. Swords made by famous blacksmiths were much more valuable. And the weapons of the elite, decorated with precious metals and stones, cost a fortune.

First of all, the sword is good for its versatility. It could be used effectively on foot or on horseback, for attack or defense, and as a primary or secondary weapon. The sword was perfect for personal protection (for example, on trips or in court battles), it could be carried with you and, if necessary, quickly used.

The sword has a low center of gravity, which makes it much easier to control. Fencing with a sword is significantly less tiring than swinging a club of similar length and weight. The sword allowed the fighter to realize his advantage not only in strength, but also in agility and speed.

The main drawback of the sword, which gunsmiths tried to get rid of throughout the history of the development of this weapon, was its low “penetrating” ability. And the reason for this was also the low center of gravity of the weapon. Against a well-armored enemy, it was better to use something else: a battle axe, a hammer, a hammer, or a regular spear.

Now we should say a few words about the very concept of this weapon. A sword is a type of bladed weapon that has a straight blade and is used to deliver slashing and piercing blows. Sometimes the length of the blade is added to this definition, which should be at least 60 cm. But short sword sometimes it was even smaller; examples include the Roman gladius and the Scythian akinac. The largest two-handed swords reached almost two meters in length.

If a weapon has one blade, then it should be classified as a broadsword, and a weapon with a curved blade should be classified as a saber. Famous Japanese katana not actually a sword, but a typical saber. Also, swords and rapiers should not be classified as swords; they are usually classified into separate groups of bladed weapons.

How does a sword work?

As mentioned above, a sword is a straight, double-edged bladed weapon designed to deliver piercing, slashing, slashing and stabbing blows. Its design is very simple - it is a narrow strip of steel with a handle at one end. The shape or profile of the blade changed throughout the history of this weapon, it depended on the fighting technique that prevailed in a given period. Combat swords of different eras could “specialize” in cutting or piercing blows.

The division of bladed weapons into swords and daggers is also somewhat arbitrary. We can say that the short sword had a longer blade than the dagger itself - but drawing a clear line between these types of weapons is not always easy. Sometimes a classification based on the length of the blade is used, according to which the following are distinguished:

Short sword. Blade length 60-70 cm;
Long sword. The size of his blade was 70-90 cm, it could be used by both foot and horse warriors;
Cavalry sword. The length of the blade is more than 90 cm.

The weight of the sword varies within a very wide range: from 700 grams (gladius, akinak) to 5-6 kg (large sword of the flamberge type or slasher).

Swords are also often divided into one-handed, one-and-a-half and two-handed. A one-handed sword usually weighed from one to one and a half kilograms.

The sword consists of two parts: the blade and the hilt. The cutting edge of the blade is called the blade; the blade ends with a point. As a rule, it had a stiffener and a fuller - a recess designed to lighten the weapon and give it additional rigidity. The unsharpened part of the blade adjacent directly to the guard is called the ricasso (heel). The blade can also be divided into three parts: the strong part (often it was not sharpened at all), middle part and the point.

The hilt includes a guard (in medieval swords it often looked like a simple cross), a handle, and a pommel, or pommel. The last element of the weapon is of great importance for its proper balancing, and also prevents the hand from slipping. The cross also performs several important functions: it prevents the hand from sliding forward after striking, protects the hand from hitting the enemy’s shield, the cross was also used in some fencing techniques. And only as a last resort did the crosspiece protect the swordsman’s hand from the blow of an enemy’s weapon. So, at least, it follows from medieval fencing manuals.

An important characteristic of the blade is its cross-section. Many variants of the section are known; they changed along with the development of weapons. Early swords (during barbarian and Viking times) often had a lenticular cross-section, which was more suitable for cutting and slashing. As armor developed, the rhombic section of the blade became increasingly popular: it was more rigid and more suitable for thrusting.

The sword blade has two tapers: in length and in thickness. This is necessary to reduce the weight of the weapon, improve its controllability in battle and increase the efficiency of use.

The balance point (or equilibrium point) is the center of gravity of the weapon. As a rule, it is located a finger's distance from the guard. However, this characteristic can vary quite widely depending on the type of sword.

Speaking about the classification of this weapon, it should be noted that the sword is a “piece” product. Each blade was made (or selected) for a specific fighter, his height and arm length. Therefore, no two swords are completely identical, although blades of the same type are similar in many ways.

An invariable accessory of the sword was the scabbard - a case for carrying and storing this weapon. The sword sheath was made from various materials: metal, leather, wood, fabric. At the bottom they had a tip, and at the top they ended at the mouth. Typically these elements were made of metal. The sword scabbard had various devices that made it possible to attach it to a belt, clothing or saddle.

The birth of the sword - the era of antiquity

It is unknown when exactly man made the first sword. Wooden clubs can be considered their prototype. However, the sword in the modern sense of the word could only arise after people began to smelt metals. The first swords were probably made of copper, but this metal was very quickly replaced by bronze, a more durable alloy of copper and tin. Structurally, the oldest bronze blades were not much different from their later steel counterparts. Bronze resists corrosion very well, which is why today we have a large number of bronze swords discovered by archaeologists in different regions of the world.

The oldest sword known to date was found in one of the burial mounds in the Republic of Adygea. Scientists believe that it was made 4 thousand years BC.

It is curious that before burial with the owner, bronze swords were often symbolically bent.

Bronze swords have properties that are in many ways different from steel ones. Bronze does not spring, but it can bend without breaking. To reduce the likelihood of deformation, bronze swords were often equipped with impressive stiffening ribs. For the same reason, it is difficult to make a large sword from bronze; usually such weapons had relatively modest dimensions - about 60 cm.

Bronze weapons were made by casting, so there were no particular problems in creating blades of complex shapes. Examples include the Egyptian khopesh, the Persian kopis and the Greek mahaira. True, all these samples of edged weapons were cutlasses or sabers, but not swords. Bronze weapons were poorly suited for piercing armor or fencing; blades made of this material were more often used for cutting rather than piercing blows.

Some ancient civilizations also used a large sword made of bronze. During excavations on the island of Crete, blades more than a meter long were found. They are believed to have been made around 1700 BC.

They learned to make swords from iron around the 8th century BC. new era, and in the 5th century they were already widespread. although bronze was used along with iron for many centuries. Europe switched to iron more quickly because the region had much more of it than the tin and copper deposits needed to create bronze.

Among the currently known blades of antiquity, one can highlight the Greek xiphos, the Roman gladius and spatha, and the Scythian sword akinak.

The xiphos is a short sword with a leaf-shaped blade, the length of which was approximately 60 cm. It was used by the Greeks and Spartans, later this weapon was actively used in the army of Alexander the Great; the warriors of the famous Macedonian phalanx were armed with the xiphos.

The Gladius is another famous short sword that was one of the main weapons of the heavy Roman infantry - legionnaires. The gladius had a length of about 60 cm and the center of gravity was shifted towards the handle due to the massive pommel. These weapons could deliver both slashing and piercing blows; the gladius was especially effective in close formation.

Spatha is a large sword (about a meter long) that apparently first appeared among the Celts or Sarmatians. Later, the Gauls' cavalry, and then the Roman cavalry, were armed with spatami. However, spatha was also used by foot Roman soldiers. Initially, this sword did not have an edge, it was a purely chopping weapon. Later, spatha became suitable for stabbing.

Akinak. This is a short one-handed sword, which was used by the Scythians and other peoples of the Northern Black Sea region and the Middle East. It should be understood that the Greeks often called all the tribes roaming the Black Sea steppes Scythians. Akinak was 60 cm long, weighed about 2 kg, and had excellent piercing and cutting properties. The crosshair of this sword was heart-shaped, and the pommel resembled a beam or a crescent.

Swords from the era of chivalry

The “finest hour” of the sword, however, like many other types of edged weapons, was the Middle Ages. For this historical period, the sword was more than just a weapon. The medieval sword developed over a thousand years, its history began around the 5th century with the advent of the German spatha, and ended in the 16th century, when it was replaced by the sword. The development of the medieval sword was inextricably linked with the evolution of armor.

The collapse of the Roman Empire was marked by the decline of military art and the loss of many technologies and knowledge. Europe plunged into dark times of fragmentation and internecine wars. Battle tactics were significantly simplified, and the number of armies was reduced. In the Early Middle Ages, battles mainly took place in open areas; opponents, as a rule, neglected defensive tactics.

This period is characterized by almost complete absence armor, unless only the nobility could afford chain mail or plate armor. Due to the decline of crafts, the sword is transformed from the weapon of an ordinary soldier into the weapon of a select elite.

At the beginning of the first millennium, Europe was in a “fever”: it was Great Migration peoples, and barbarian tribes (Goths, Vandals, Burgundians, Franks) created new states in the territories of the former Roman provinces. The first European sword is considered to be the German spatha, its further continuation is the Merovingian type sword, named after the French royal dynasty Merovingian.

The Merovingian sword had a blade approximately 75 cm long with a rounded tip, a wide and flat fuller, a thick cross and a massive pommel. The blade practically did not taper to the tip; the weapon was more suitable for delivering cutting and chopping blows. At that time, only very wealthy people could afford a combat sword, so Merovingian swords were richly decorated. This type of sword was in use until about the 9th century, but already in the 8th century it began to be replaced by a Carolingian type sword. This weapon is also called the Viking Age sword.

Around the 8th century AD, a new misfortune came to Europe: regular raids by Vikings or Normans began from the north. These were fierce fair-haired warriors who knew no mercy or pity, fearless sailors who plied the expanses of the European seas. The souls of the dead Vikings were taken from the battlefield by golden-haired warrior maidens straight to the halls of Odin.

In fact, Carolingian-type swords were produced on the continent, and they came to Scandinavia as military booty or ordinary goods. The Vikings had a custom of burying a sword with a warrior, which is why a large number of Carolingian swords were found in Scandinavia.

The Carolingian sword is in many ways similar to the Merovingian, but it is more elegant, better balanced, and the blade has a well-defined edge. The sword still remained expensive weapons, according to the orders of Charlemagne, cavalrymen must be armed with them, while foot soldiers, as a rule, used something simpler.

Together with the Normans, the Carolingian sword also entered the territory Kievan Rus. There were even centers on Slavic lands where such weapons were made.

The Vikings (like the ancient Germans) treated their swords with special reverence. Their sagas contain many stories about special magical swords, as well as about family blades passed down from generation to generation.

Around the second half of the 11th century, the gradual transformation of the Carolingian sword into a knightly or Romanesque sword began. At this time, cities began to grow in Europe, crafts developed rapidly, and the level of blacksmithing and metallurgy increased significantly. The shape and characteristics of any blade were primarily determined by the enemy’s protective equipment. At that time it consisted of a shield, helmet and armor.

To learn to wield a sword, the future knight began training with early childhood. At about the age of seven, he was usually sent to some relative or friendly knight, where the boy continued to master the secrets of noble combat. At the age of 12-13 he became a squire, after which his training continued for another 6-7 years. Then the young man could be knighted, or he continued to serve with the rank of “noble squire.” The difference was small: the knight had the right to wear a sword on his belt, and the squire attached it to the saddle. In the Middle Ages, the sword clearly distinguished a free man and knight from a commoner or slave.

Ordinary warriors usually wore leather armor made from specially treated leather as protective equipment. The nobility used chain mail shirts or leather armor, onto which metal plates were sewn. Until the 11th century, helmets were also made of treated leather, reinforced with metal inserts. However, later helmets were mainly made from metal plates, which were extremely difficult to break through with a chopping blow.

The most important element of a warrior’s defense was the shield. It was made from a thick layer of wood (up to 2 cm) of durable species and covered with treated leather on top, and sometimes reinforced with metal strips or rivets. This was a very effective defense; such a shield could not be penetrated with a sword. Accordingly, in battle it was necessary to hit a part of the enemy’s body that was not covered by a shield, and the sword had to pierce the enemy’s armor. This led to changes in sword design in the early Middle Ages. Typically they had the following criteria:

Total length about 90 cm;
Relatively light weight, which made it easy to fencing with one hand;
Sharpening blades designed to deliver an effective cutting blow;
The weight of such a one-handed sword did not exceed 1.3 kg.

Around the middle of the 13th century, a real revolution took place in the armament of the knight - plate armor became widespread. To break through such a defense, it was necessary to inflict piercing blows. This led to significant changes in the shape of the Romanesque sword; it began to narrow, and the tip of the weapon became more and more pronounced. The cross-section of the blades also changed, they became thicker and heavier, and received stiffening ribs.

Around the 13th century, the importance of infantry on the battlefield began to increase rapidly. Thanks to the improvement of infantry armor, it became possible to dramatically reduce the shield, or even abandon it altogether. This led to the fact that the sword began to be taken in both hands to enhance the blow. This is how the long sword appeared, a variation of which is the bastard sword. In modern historical literature it is called the “bastard sword”. Bastards were also called “war swords” - weapons of such length and weight were not carried with them just like that, but taken to war.

The bastard sword led to the emergence of new fencing techniques - the half-hand technique: the blade was sharpened only in the upper third, and its lower part could be intercepted by the hand, further enhancing the piercing blow.

This weapon can be called a transitional stage between one-handed and two-handed swords. The heyday of long swords was the era of the late Middle Ages.

During the same period, two-handed swords became widespread. These were real giants among their brothers. The total length of this weapon could reach two meters and weight – 5 kilograms. Two-handed swords were used by infantrymen; they did not have sheaths made for them, but were worn on the shoulder, like a halberd or a pike. Disputes continue among historians today as to exactly how these weapons were used. The most famous representatives of this type of weapon are the zweihander, claymore, spandrel and flamberge - wavy or curved two-handed sword.

Almost all two-handed swords had a significant ricasso, which was often covered with leather for greater ease of fencing. At the end of the ricasso there were often additional hooks (“boar’s tusks”), which protected the hand from enemy blows.

Claymore. This is a type of two-handed sword (there were also one-handed claymores) that was used in Scotland in the 15th-17th centuries. Claymore means "great sword" in Gaelic. It should be noted that the claymore was the smallest of the two-handed swords, its overall size reached 1.5 meters, and the length of the blade was 110-120 cm.

A distinctive feature of this sword was the shape of the guard: the arms of the cross were bent towards the tip. The claymore was the most versatile “two-handed weapon”; its relatively small dimensions made it possible to use it in various combat situations.

Zweihander. The famous two-handed sword of the German Landsknechts, and their special unit - the Doppelsoldners. These warriors received double pay; they fought in the front ranks, cutting down the enemy's peaks. It is clear that such work was mortally dangerous; in addition, it required great physical strength and excellent weapon skills.

This giant could reach a length of 2 meters, had a double guard with “boar tusks” and a ricasso covered with leather.

Slasher. A classic two-handed sword that was most often used in Germany and Switzerland. The total length of the slasher could reach up to 1.8 meters, of which 1.5 meters was on the blade. To increase the penetrating power of the sword, its center of gravity was often shifted closer to the tip. The weight of the sledge ranged from 3 to 5 kg.

Flamberge. A wavy or curved two-handed sword, it had a blade of a special flame-like shape. Most often, these weapons were used in Germany and Switzerland in the 15th-17th centuries. Currently, flamberges are in service with the Vatican Guard.

A curved two-handed sword is an attempt by European gunsmiths to combine best properties sword and saber. Flamberge had a blade with a number of successive curves; when delivering chopping blows, it acted on the principle of a saw, cutting through armor and inflicting terrible, long-lasting wounds. The curved two-handed sword was considered an “inhumane” weapon, and the church actively opposed it. Warriors with such a sword should not have been captured; at best, they were killed immediately.

The flamberge was approximately 1.5 m long and weighed 3-4 kg. It should also be noted that such weapons were much more expensive than usual, because they were very difficult to manufacture. Despite this, such two-handed swords were often used by mercenaries during Thirty Years' War in Germany.

Among the interesting swords of the late Middle Ages, it is also worth noting the so-called sword of justice, which was used to carry out death sentences. In the Middle Ages, heads were most often chopped off with an ax, and the sword was used exclusively for beheading members of the nobility. Firstly, it was more honorable, and secondly, execution with a sword brought less suffering to the victim.

The technique of beheading with a sword had its own characteristics. The scaffold was not used. The condemned man was simply forced to his knees, and the executioner cut off his head with one blow. One might also add that the “sword of justice” had no edge at all.

By the 15th century, the technique of wielding edged weapons was changing, which led to changes in bladed edged weapons. At the same time, firearms are increasingly used, which easily penetrate any armor, and as a result it becomes almost unnecessary. Why carry a bunch of iron on you if it can't protect your life? Along with armor, heavy medieval swords, which clearly had an “armor-piercing” character, are also becoming a thing of the past.

The sword becomes more and more a piercing weapon, it tapers towards the tip, becomes thicker and narrower. The grip of the weapon changes: in order to deliver more effective piercing blows, swordsmen grasp the cross from the outside. Very soon special arches appear on it to protect the fingers. This is how the sword begins its glorious path.

At the end of the 15th - beginning of the 16th centuries, the sword guard became significantly more complex in order to more reliably protect the fencer’s fingers and hand. Swords and broadswords appeared in which the guard looked like a complex basket, which included numerous bows or a solid shield.

Weapons become lighter, they gain popularity not only among the nobility, but also large quantity townspeople and becomes an integral part of everyday costume. In war they still use a helmet and cuirass, but in frequent duels or street fights They fight without any armor. The art of fencing is becoming significantly more complex, new techniques and techniques are appearing.

A sword is a weapon with a narrow cutting and piercing blade and a developed hilt that reliably protects the fencer’s hand.

In the 17th century, the rapier evolved from the sword - a weapon with a piercing blade, sometimes even without cutting edges. Both the sword and the rapier were intended to be worn with casual clothing, not with armor. Later, this weapon turned into a certain attribute, a detail of the appearance of a person of noble origin. It is also necessary to add that the rapier was lighter than the sword and gave tangible advantages in a duel without armor.

The most common myths about swords

The sword is the most iconic weapon invented by man. Interest in it continues today. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions and myths associated with this type of weapon.

Myth 1. The European sword was heavy; in battle it was used to inflict concussion on the enemy and break through his armor - like an ordinary club. At the same time, absolutely fantastic figures for the mass of medieval swords are voiced (10-15 kg). This opinion is not true. The weight of all surviving original medieval swords ranges from 600 grams to 1.4 kg. On average, the blades weighed about 1 kg. Rapiers and sabers, which appeared much later, had similar characteristics (from 0.8 to 1.2 kg). European swords were convenient and well-balanced weapons, effective and convenient in battle.

Myth 2. Swords do not have a sharp edge. It is stated that against armor the sword acted like a chisel, breaking through it. This assumption is also not true. Historical documents that have survived to this day describe swords as sharp weapons that could cut a person in half.

In addition, the very geometry of the blade (its cross-section) does not allow sharpening to be obtuse (like a chisel). Studies of the graves of warriors who died in medieval battles also prove the high cutting ability of swords. The fallen were found to have severed limbs and serious chop wounds.

Myth 3. “Bad” steel was used for European swords. Today there is a lot of talk about the excellent steel of traditional Japanese blades, which are supposedly the pinnacle of blacksmithing. However, historians absolutely know that the technology of welding various types of steel was successfully used in Europe already in antiquity. The hardening of the blades was also at the proper level. The technologies for making Damascus knives, blades and other things were also well known in Europe. By the way, there is no evidence that Damascus was a serious metallurgical center at any time. In general, the myth about the superiority of eastern steel (and blades) over western steel was born back in the 19th century, when there was a fashion for everything eastern and exotic.

Myth 4. Europe did not have its own developed fencing system. What can I say? You should not consider your ancestors more stupid than you. The Europeans waged almost continuous wars using edged weapons for several thousand years and had ancient military traditions, so they simply could not help but create a developed combat system. This fact is confirmed by historians. To this day, many manuals on fencing have been preserved, the oldest of which date back to the 13th century. Moreover, many of the techniques from these books are more designed for the dexterity and speed of the fencer than for primitive brute strength.

Sword structure

In the Middle Ages, the sword was not just one of the most popular weapons, but in addition to all this, it also performed ritual functions. For example, when knighting a young warrior, they lightly tapped him on the shoulder with the flat side of the sword. And the knight’s sword itself was necessarily blessed by the priest. But as a weapon, the medieval sword was very effective, and it is not without reason that over the centuries a variety of sword forms were developed.

Still, if you look from a military point of view, the sword played a secondary role in battles; the main weapon of the Middle Ages was a spear or pike. But the social role of the sword was very great - sacred inscriptions and religious symbols were applied to the blades of many swords, which were intended to remind the bearer of the sword of the high mission of serving God, protecting the Christian Church from pagans, infidels, and heretics. The hilt of the sword sometimes even became an ark for relics and relics. And the very shape of the medieval sword invariably resembles main symbol Christianity - the cross.

Knighting, Accolade.

Sword structure

Depending on their structure, there were different types of swords that were intended for different fighting techniques. Among them are swords for stabbing and swords for slashing. When making swords special attention paid attention to the following parameters:

The profile of the blade - it changed from century to century depending on the dominant fighting technique in a particular era.
The cross-sectional shape of the blade depends on the use of this type of sword in battle.
Distal narrowing - it affects the distribution of mass along the sword.
The center of gravity is the balance point of the sword.

The sword itself, roughly speaking, can be divided into two parts: the blade (everything is clear here) and the hilt - this includes the handle of the sword, the guard (crossguard) and the pommel (counterweight).

Like this detailed structure The medieval sword looks clear in the picture.

Medieval sword weight

How much did a medieval sword weigh? There is often a prevailing myth that medieval swords were incredibly heavy, and one had to have remarkable strength to fencing with them. In reality, the weight of the sword medieval knight was quite acceptable, on average it ranged from 1.1 to 1.6 kg. Large, long, so-called “bastard swords” weighed up to 2 kg (in reality, only a small part of the warriors used them), and only the heaviest two-handed swords that were owned by the real “Hercules of the Middle Ages” weighed up to 3 kg.

Photos of medieval swords.

Sword typology

Back in 1958, edged weapons expert Ewart Oakeshott proposed a taxonomy of medieval swords that remains basic to this day. This taxonomy is based on two factors:

Blade shape: its length, width, tip, general profile.
Sword proportions.

Based on these points, Oakeshott identified 13 main types of medieval swords, ranging from Viking swords to late medieval swords. He also described 35 different types pommels and 12 types of sword crosspieces.

Interestingly, between 1275 and 1350 there was a significant change in the shape of swords; it was associated with the advent of new protective armor, against which the old-style swords were not effective. Thus, knowing the typology of swords, archaeologists can easily date a particular ancient sword of a medieval knight by its shape.

Now let's look at some of the most popular swords of the Middle Ages.

This is perhaps the most popular of the medieval swords, often a warrior with a one-handed sword, holding a shield with the other hand. It was actively used by the ancient Germans, then by the Vikings, then by knights, in the late Middle Ages it was transformed into rapiers and broadswords.

The long sword spread already in the late Middle Ages, and subsequently, thanks to it, the art of fencing flourished.

ItsElf 05.13.2004 - 14:03

Good afternoon
I mainly find information on the internet about maximum weight 5-6 kg, sometimes 8 kg
according to other information, the weight of swords reached 16-30 kg
what's true? is there any confirmation?
thanks in advance!

Jerreth 05/13/2004 - 16:50

On the Internet I mainly find information about the maximum weight of 5-6 kg, sometimes 8 kg is found
according to other information, the weight of the swords reached 16-30 kg

COMBAT two-handed swords weighed around 3.5-6 kg. The heaviest sword, 7.9 kg from Switzerland (it seems), after a detailed close-up study, looks much more like a training projectile than a blade intended for chopping.
Indeed, in the Middle Ages there were very real 15-25 kg swords, outwardly more or less a copy of combat swords, with a thicker profile, sometimes filled with lead - the so-called “wall-mounted”. For every baron had to have a weapons gallery on the wall of the central hall, but so that the guests who became unruly at the feast did not tear these collection items off the wall and commit murder, they were specially made by weight like two large crowbars. From the series, if someone picks it, put it right away. Fantasy replicas, in short, plus a relaxed demonstration of weapon skills.
From the same opera - a set of full armor of “children’s” sizes, although this one has an additional purpose, to accustom the baron’s child to armor before he grows up to adulthood.

ItsElf 05.13.2004 - 18:12

thanks Jerreth

apsara 05/14/2004 - 01:08

/Indeed, in the Middle Ages there were very real 15-25 kg swords, outwardly more or less a copy of combat ones, with a thickened profile, sometimes filled with lead - the so-called “wall” ones./
If it's not a secret, where does this information come from? Too luxurious for the Middle Ages... Maybe later imitations? In general, two-handed chopping takes hours only in films; they could deliver several blows to cut through a formation, say, and that’s all.

Strelok13 05/14/2004 - 01:30

When you mention a two-handed sword, you immediately see Rutger Hauer in the movie Flesh and Blood, with a long flamberge on his shoulder. In general, in the museum on Poklonnaya Gora, above the stairs, there is a display trimmed with gold and precious stones, but otherwise it looks like a completely steel sword weighing about fifty, probably kilograms. It was handed over to the museum by President B.N. Yeltsin, it is unknown whether Boris Nikolayevich used it in battles before he gave it to the museum or not, but even if it was simply dropped on the enemy’s leg, it, that is, the sword, is undoubtedly capable of causing severe injury.

Dang 05/14/2004 - 11:43

He played tennis for them.

GaiduK 05/18/2004 - 08:50

Hello!
In Warsaw I saw (museum of the Polish army) an original two-handed weapon, I think from the beginning of the 15th century - 16kg, looking at it for a long time I could not understand how to take it in my hands (the thickness of the handle is at least 45mm) so I think it is something like decorative.
There I also had to hold in my hands a pretty good replica of a flamberge - 3100g,
The replica was made by the British brothers based on the original (that’s what they said, and I have no reason not to believe them).
In my opinion, it’s better to kill a sword heavier than 5 kg at home. 😀

Chef 05/18/2004 - 10:41

In France, at a medieval festival, I had the opportunity to observe a local historical reconstruction club in action. Among other things, they demonstrated fencing techniques with a two-handed sword. I'm not a big expert in the field of edged weapons, but the difference from fighting with conventional swords was noticeable. First of all, the fact that the sword in two hands also served as a shield. Placed vertically with its tip into the ground, it made it possible to parry slashing blows from the side and from below. As the participants later explained to me, two-handed swords were mainly used in battles between heavily armed opponents (knights in armor), but even among the knights, not everyone could wield them due to their heavy weight. They gave me to hold the sword that they had used in the duel five minutes before. He weighed 8-10 kg and, as I was told, was an exact copy museum sword.

Jerreth 05/18/2004 - 12:14

They gave me to hold the sword that they had used in the duel five minutes before. It weighed 8-10 kg and, as I was told, was an exact copy of the museum sword.

http://www.claudiospage.com/Graphics/Weapons/Zweihandschwert_1500.jpg
Italy, approx. 1500 17 cm blade width! We've never fought like this in our lives. But he is very real.

GaiduK 05/18/2004 - 19:38

"Reconstruction tournaments" vav....

Corporal 05/18/2004 - 20:13

Jerreth
Firstly, TOURNAMENT swords are not combat swords, they are a little heavier (or not a little) - just like the current “stuff” that they use at iron reenactment buhurt tournaments. Secondly, museums are full of completely real “decorative” weapons. Here, for example: http://www.claudiospage.com/Graphics/Weapons/Zweihandschwert_1500.jpg
Italy, approx. 1500 17 cm blade width! We've never fought like this in our lives. But he is very real.

Hello. As far as I remember, this example of a “sword” was once called the “Boar Sword”, well, at least it is very similar in shape, and accordingly it was used in hunting...
Regarding the weight of 8 kg or more, gentlemen, you won’t be enough for 5 minutes of battle, and making such a sword so that the “bro” comes out screams loudly and then swings several times heroically and dies, expensive fun. 😀
I think the drabants and flamberges lived even longer, but not everyone will be allowed in, and not everyone will go. And Rudger H. in the film “Blood and Flesh” (as I understand it) meant by his persona a “drabant”, and he walked around with a two-handed weapon.

Jerreth 05/19/2004 - 12:15

http://www.armor.com/2000/catalog/item918gall.html
Here is a real "boar" (hunting) sword. A characteristic, but completely different form, although it is also two-handed.

And Hauer also ran with a two-handed weapon in “Lady Hawk”, but there was a normal knightly greatsword there.

Corporal 06/07/2004 - 04:01

No....well, people, you really need to figure out what we're talking about....."the weight of a two-handed weapon." As I understand it, some have seen this miracle in museums, some have held it in their hands, and some have delved into knowledge on this topic while lying on the couch, and of course there will be someone here who was able to “try out” this invention.
Even if you are at least three times hefty and fat, why would you need a sharpened crowbar in battle???????????????if you can make it lighter and more convenient and, most importantly, more effective.
And what difference does it make later whether you drive your enemy headlong into the ground or cut him in half.........
Best regards Corp...

“Oh, knights, arise, the hour of action has come!
You have shields, steel helmets and armor.
Your dedicated sword is ready to fight for your faith.
Give me strength, oh God, for new glorious battles.
I, a beggar, will take rich spoils there.
I don’t need gold and I don’t need land,
But maybe I will be, singer, mentor, warrior,
Rewarded with heavenly bliss forever"
(Walter von der Vogelweide. Translation by V. Levick)

A sufficient number of articles on the topic of knightly weapons and, in particular, knightly armor have already been published on the VO website. However, this topic is so interesting that you can delve into it for a very long time. The reason for turning to her again is banal... weight. Weight of armor and weapons. Alas, recently I asked students again how much it weighs knight's sword, and received the following set of numbers: 5, 10 and 15 kilograms. They considered chain mail weighing 16 kg to be very light, although not all of them did, and the weight of plate armor at just over 20 kilos was simply ridiculous.

Figures of a knight and a horse in full protective equipment. Traditionally, knights were imagined exactly like this - “chained in armor.” (Cleveland Museum of Art)

At VO, naturally, “things with weight” are much better due to regular publications on this topic. However, the opinion about the excessive weight of the “knightly costume” of the classical type has not yet been eradicated here. Therefore, it makes sense to return to this topic and consider it with specific examples.

Western European chain mail (hauberk) 1400 - 1460 Weight 10.47 kg. (Cleveland Museum of Art)

Let's start with the fact that British weapons historians created a very reasonable and clear classification of armor according to their specific characteristics and ultimately divided the entire Middle Ages, guided, naturally, by available sources, into three eras: “the era of chain mail,” “the era of mixed chain mail and plate protective weapons" and "the era of solid forged armor." All three eras together make up the period from 1066 to 1700. Accordingly, the first era has a framework of 1066 - 1250, the second - the era of chain mail-plate armor - 1250 - 1330. But then this: the early stage in the development of knightly plate armor stands out (1330 - 1410), “ great period"in the history of knights in “white armor” (1410 - 1500) and the era of the decline of knightly armor (1500 - 1700).

Chain mail together with a helmet and aventail (aventail) XIII - XIV centuries. (Royal Arsenal, Leeds)

During the years of “wonderful Soviet education” we had never heard of such periodization. But in the school textbook “History of the Middle Ages” for the VΙ class for many years, with some repetitions, one could read the following:
“It was not easy for the peasants to defeat even one feudal lord. The mounted warrior - the knight - was armed with a heavy sword and a long spear. He could cover himself from head to toe with a large shield. The knight's body was protected by chain mail - a shirt woven from iron rings. Later, chain mail was replaced by armor - armor made of iron plates.

Classic knightly armor, which was most often discussed in textbooks for schools and universities. Before us is Italian armor of the 15th century, restored in the 19th century. Height 170.2 cm. Weight 26.10 kg. Helmet weight 2850 g (Metropolitan Museum, New York)

Knights fought on strong, hardy horses, which were also protected by armor. The knight's weapons were very heavy: they weighed up to 50 kilograms. Therefore, the warrior was clumsy and clumsy. If a rider was thrown from his horse, he could not get up without outside help and was usually captured. To fight on horseback in heavy armor, long training was needed, the feudal lords were preparing for military service since childhood. They constantly practiced fencing, horse riding, wrestling, swimming, and javelin throwing.

German armor 1535. Presumably from Brunswick. Weight 27.85 kg. (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

War horse and knightly weapons were very expensive: for all this it was necessary to give a whole herd - 45 cows! The landowner for whom the peasants worked could perform knightly service. Therefore, military affairs became an occupation almost exclusively of feudal lords” (Agibalova, E.V. History of the Middle Ages: Textbook for the 6th grade / E.V. Agibalova, G.M. Donskoy, M.: Prosveshchenie, 1969. P.33; Golin, E.M. History of the Middle Ages: Textbook for the 6th grade of evening (shift) school / E.M. Kuzmenko, M.Ya.: Education, 1965. P. 31- 32.)

A knight in armor and a horse in horse armor. The work of master Kunz Lochner. Nuremberg, Germany 1510 - 1567 It dates back to 1548. The total weight of the rider's equipment, including horse armor and saddle, is 41.73 kg. (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

Only in the 3rd edition of the textbook “History of the Middle Ages” for VΙ grade high school V.A. Vedyushkin, published in 2002, the description of knightly weapons became somewhat truly thoughtful and corresponded to the above-mentioned periodization used today by historians around the world: “At first, the knight was protected by a shield, helmet and chain mail. Then the most vulnerable parts of the body began to be hidden behind metal plates, and from the 15th century, chain mail was finally replaced by solid armor. Battle armor weighed up to 30 kg, so for battle the knights chose hardy horses, also protected by armor.”

Armor of Emperor Ferdinand I (1503-1564) Gunsmith Kunz Lochner. Germany, Nuremberg 1510 - 1567 Dated 1549. Height 170.2 cm. Weight 24 kg.

That is, in the first case, intentionally or out of ignorance, the armor was divided into eras in a simplified manner, while a weight of 50 kg was attributed to both the armor of the “era of chain mail” and the “era of all-metal armor” without dividing into the actual armor of the knight and the armor of his horse. That is, judging by the text, our children were offered information that “the warrior was clumsy and clumsy.” In fact, the first articles showing that this is actually not the case were publications by V.P. Gorelik in the magazines “Around the World” in 1975, but this information never made it into textbooks for Soviet schools at that time. The reason is clear. Using anything, using any examples, show the superiority of the military science of Russian soldiers over the “dog knights”! Unfortunately, the inertia of thinking and the not-so-great significance of this information make it difficult to disseminate information that corresponds to scientific data.

Armor set from 1549, which belonged to Emperor Maximilian II. (Wallace Collection) As you can see, the option in the photo is tournament armor, as it features a grandguard. However, it could be removed and then the armor became combat. This achieved considerable savings.

Nevertheless, the provisions of the school textbook V.A. Vedyushkina are completely true. Moreover, information about the weight of armor, well, say, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (as well as from other museums, including our Hermitage in St. Petersburg, then Leningrad) was available for a very long time, but in the textbooks of Agibalov and Donskoy For some reason I didn’t get there in due time. However, it’s clear why. After all, we had better education in the world. However, this special case, although quite revealing. It turned out that there were chain mail, then - again and again, and now armor. Meanwhile, the process of their appearance was more than lengthy. For example, only around 1350 was the appearance of the so-called “metal breast” with chains (from one to four) that went to a dagger, sword and shield, and sometimes a helmet was attached to the chain. Helmets at this time were not yet connected to protective plates on the chest, but under them they wore chain mail hoods that had a wide shoulder. Around 1360, armor began to have clasps; in 1370, the knights were almost completely dressed in iron armor, and chain mail fabric was used as a base. The first brigandines appeared - caftans, and lining made of metal plates. They were used and how independent species protective clothing, and were worn together with chain mail, both in the West and in the East.

Knight's armor with a brigandine over chain mail and a bascinet helmet. Around 1400-1450 Italy. Weight 18.6 kg. (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

Since 1385, the thighs began to be covered with armor made of articulated strips of metal. In 1410, armor with full plate coverage for all parts of the body had spread throughout Europe, but mail throat cover was still used; in 1430, the first grooves appeared on the elbow and knee pads, and by 1450, armor made of forged steel sheets had reached its perfection. Beginning in 1475, the grooves on them became increasingly popular until fully fluted or so-called “Maximilian armor”, the authorship of which is attributed to the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, became a measure of the skill of their manufacturer and the wealth of their owners. Subsequently, knightly armor became smooth again - their shape was influenced by fashion, but the skills achieved in the craftsmanship of their finishing continued to develop. Now it was not only people who fought in armor. The horses also received it, as a result the knight with the horse turned into something like a real statue made of polished metal that sparkled in the sun!

Another “Maximilian” armor from Nuremberg 1525 - 1530. It belonged to Duke Ulrich, the son of Henry of Württemberg (1487 - 1550). (Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna)

Although... although fashionistas and innovators, “running ahead of the locomotive,” have always been there too. For example, it is known that in 1410 a certain English knight named John de Fiarles paid Burgundian gunsmiths 1,727 pounds sterling for armor, a sword and a dagger made for him, which he ordered to be decorated with pearls and... diamonds (!) - a luxury that was not only unheard of time, but even for him it is not at all characteristic.

Field armor of Sir John Scudamore (1541 or 1542-1623). Armourer Jacob Jacob Halder (Greenwich Workshop 1558-1608) Circa 1587, restored 1915. Weight 31.07 kg. (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

Each piece of plate armor received its own name. For example, plates for the thighs were called cuisses, knee pads - logs (poleyns), jambers - for the legs and sabatons (sabatons) for the feet. Gorgets or bevors (gorgets, or bevors) protected the throat and neck, cutters (couters) - elbows, e(c)paulers, or pauldrons (espaudlers, or pauldrons) - shoulders, rerebraces (rerebraces) - forearm , vambraces (vambraces) - part of the arm down from the elbow, and gant(e)lets (gantelets) - these are “plate gloves” - protected the hands. The full set of armor also included a helmet and, at least at first, a shield, which subsequently ceased to be used on the battlefield around the middle of the 15th century.

Armor of Henry Herbert (1534-1601), Second Earl of Pembroke. Made around 1585 - 1586. in the Greenwich armory (1511 - 1640). Weight 27.24 kg. (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

As for the number of details in the “white armor”, in the armor of the mid-15th century there are total number could reach 200 units, and taking into account all the buckles and nails, along with hooks and various screws, even up to 1000. The weight of the armor was 20 - 24 kg, and it was distributed evenly over the knight’s body, unlike chain mail, which pressed on the person on the shoulders. So “no crane was required to put such a rider in his saddle. And knocked off his horse to the ground, he did not at all look like a helpless beetle.” But the knight of those years was not a mountain of meat and muscles, and he by no means relied solely on brute strength and bestial ferocity. And if we pay attention to how knights are described in medieval works, we will see that very often they had a fragile (!) and graceful physique, and at the same time had flexibility, developed muscles, and were strong and very agile, even when dressed in armor, with well-developed muscle response.

Tournament armor made by Anton Peffenhauser around 1580 (Germany, Augsburg, 1525-1603) Height 174.6 cm); shoulder width 45.72 cm; weight 36.8 kg. It should be noted that tournament armor was usually always heavier than combat armor. (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

IN recent years In the 15th century, knightly weapons became the subject of special concern for European sovereigns, and, in particular, for Emperor Maximilian I (1493 - 1519), who is credited with creating knightly armor with grooves all over its surface, eventually called “Maximilian.” It was used without any special changes in the 16th century, when new improvements were required due to the ongoing development of small arms.

Now just a little about swords, because if you write about them in detail, then they deserve a separate topic. J. Clements, a well-known British expert on edged weapons of the Middle Ages, believes that it was the advent of multi-layer combined armor (for example, on the effigy of John de Creque we see as many as four layers of protective clothing) that led to the appearance of a “sword in one and a half hands.” Well, the blades of such swords ranged from 101 to 121 cm, and weight from 1.2 to 1.5 kg. Moreover, blades are known for chopping and piercing blows, as well as purely for stabbing. He notes that horsemen used such swords until 1500, and they were especially popular in Italy and Germany, where they were called Reitschwert (equestrian) or knight's sword. In the 16th century, swords appeared with wavy and even jagged sawtooth blades. Moreover, their length itself could reach human height with a weight of 1.4 to 2 kg. Moreover, such swords appeared in England only around 1480. Average weight sword in the X and XV centuries. was 1.3 kg; and in the sixteenth century. - 900 g. Bastard swords “one and a half hands” weighed about 1.5 - 1.8 kg, and the weight of two-handed swords was rarely more than 3 kg. The latter reached their peak between 1500 and 1600, but were always infantry weapons.

Three-quarter cuirassier armor, ca. 1610-1630 Milan or Brescia, Lombardy. Weight 39.24 kg. Obviously, since they have no armor below the knees, the extra weight comes from thickening the armor.

But shortened three-quarter armor for cuirassiers and pistoleers, even in its shortened form, often weighed more than those that offered protection only from edged weapons and they were very heavy to wear. Cuirassier armor has been preserved, the weight of which was about 42 kg, i.e. even more than classic knightly armor, although they covered a much smaller surface of the body of the person for whom they were intended! But this, it should be emphasized, is not knightly armor, that’s the point!

Horse armor, possibly made for Count Antonio IV Colalto (1548-1620), circa 1580-1590. Place of manufacture: probably Brescia. Weight with saddle 42.2 kg. (Metropolitan Museum, New York) By the way, a horse in full armor under an armored rider could even swim. Horse armor weighed 20-40 kg - a few percent of own weight a huge and strong knight's horse.

Are weapons preserved in the swamps of the Neva? The answers to these questions are saturated with mysticism and supported by chronicles of that time.

Alexander Nevsky is one of the most majestic figures in Ancient Rus', a talented commander, strict ruler and brave warrior, who received his nickname in the legendary battle with Sweden in 1240 on the Neva River.

Weapons and protective ammunition of the Grand Duke of steel Slavic relics, almost deified in chronicles and lives.

How much did Alexander Nevsky's sword weigh? There is an opinion that Five Poods

The sword is the main weapon of a warrior of the 13th century. And wielding an 82-kilogram (1 pound is a little more than 16 kg) melee weapon is, to put it mildly, problematic.

It is believed that the heaviest sword in the history of the world was the sword of Goliath (the king of Judea, a warrior of enormous stature) - its mass was 7.2 kg. In the engraving below, legendary weapon is in the hand of David (this is the enemy of Goliath).

Historical information: an ordinary sword weighed about one and a half kilograms. Swords for tournaments and other competitions – up to 3 kg. Ceremonial weapons, made of pure gold or silver and decorated with gems, could reach a mass of 5 kg, however, it was not used on the battlefield due to its inconvenience and heavy weight.

Take a look at the picture below. She depicts the Grand Duke in full dress uniform, accordingly, a larger sword - for the parade, to add greatness!

Where did the 5 poods come from? Apparently, historians of past centuries (and especially the Middle Ages) tended to embellish actual events, presenting mediocre victories as great, ordinary rulers as wise, ugly princes as beautiful.

This was dictated by necessity: the enemies, having learned about the valor, courage and mighty strength of the prince, had to retreat under the onslaught of fear and such power. That is why there is an opinion that Alexander Nevsky’s sword “weighed” not 1.5 kg, and as much as 5 poods.

The sword of Alexander Nevsky is kept in Rus' and protects its lands from enemy invasion, is this true?

Historians and archaeologists do not give a definite answer about the possible location of the sword of Alexander Nevsky. The only thing that is known for sure is that the weapon was not found in any of the numerous expeditions.

It is also likely that Alexander Nevsky did not use the only sword, but changed them from battle to battle, since edged weapons become jagged and become unusable...

13th century tools are rare relics. Almost all of them are lost. The most famous sword, which belonged to Prince Dovmont (ruled in Pskov from 1266 to 1299), is kept in the Pskov Museum:

Did Alexander Nevsky's sword have magical properties?

In the Battle of the Neva, the Slavic troops were outnumbered, but many Swedes fled from the battlefield even before the battle began. Was this a tactical move or fatal accident– it’s not clear.

Russian soldiers stood facing to the rising sun. Alexander Nevsky was on a dais and raised his sword up, calling the soldiers to battle - at that moment the rays of the sun hit the blade, causing the steel to glow and frightening the enemy.

According to the chronicles, after the Battle of the Neva, the sword was taken to the house of elder Pelgusius, where other precious things were kept. Soon the house burned down, and the cellar was filled with earth and debris.

From this moment we begin a journey through the shaky world of speculation and conjecture:

In the 18th century, monks built a church near the Neva. During construction, they discovered Alexander Nevsky's sword broken in two.
The monks rightly decided that the fragments of the blade should protect the temple from harm, and therefore they placed them in the foundation of the building.
During the revolution of the 20th century, the church and its accompanying documents were destroyed.
At the end of the 20th century, scientists discovered the diary of Andrei Ratnikov (a white officer), several pages of which were dedicated to the legendary blade.

How much did Alexander Nevsky's sword weigh? One thing we can say for sure: not 5 pounds, most likely like a regular blade 1.5 kg. It was a beautiful blade that brought victory to the warriors of Ancient Rus', turning the course of history!