Awesome Swords and Sword Types in the Middle Ages

What is the most iconic weapon in the Middle Ages? Swords!
One of the most iconic medieval weapons was the sword. People depict swords in all sorts of movies, art, and books. Swords were very popular. There were a lot of different kinds of blades, such as Arming Swords, Broadswords, and Longswords. There are also famous legendary swords. Real swords are also well-known for a variety of reasons. A few different sabers are essential in coronations.
What are the different sword types? What are some famous swords?

Arming Sword

The Arming Sword is the same as the Knightly Sword because knights wore it as a part of their attire. They wore it everywhere, even when they were not wearing armor. In fact, knights were not considered fully dressed and ready for the day without their Arming swords. Even when knights started carrying other weapons and swords into battle, they usually had an Arming Sword, too. It was a side sword, generally with a double edge.

Mock Combat from the Codex Manesse, note the Arming Swords

It has a single-handed hilt and is approximately twenty-eight to thirty inches long. The Knightly Sword was light. Knights predominantly used it to cut and thrust. Unlike larger and heavier swords, the Arming Swords probably would not chop off limbs, at least not without a lot of effort. Arming Swords almost always had a good balance. They were handy against plate armor. Men could have words and sayings inscribed on their sword blades.

Broadsword

Broadswords became popular in the Middle Ages. They were thicker than many swords of the time at approximately three inches wide. They could also be between thirty and forty-five inches long and between three and five pounds. It is also a double-edged sword. The Broadsword was typically a cutting sword, not a stabbing sword. Because it was heavy, it was capable of cutting off limbs.

With enough power, knights could also chop off the heads of their opponents. Unfortunately, the Broadsword was hard to master. However, after plenty of practice, knights could be devastating on the battlefield. There were a few different types of Broadswords, including the Basket-hilted sword. It was a normal Broadsword, however, it had a basket on the hilt. The hand was inside the basket, which kept it safe, or at least safer.

Rapier

Rapiers are a common type of fencing sword. It had a thin blade, and it was also really sharp. Medieval rapiers were good for self-defense because they were easy to use in tight spaces. Generally, people used them to thrust and parry rather than slash. Rapiers often came with a matching parrying dagger, which helped with the fighting. They were light and, therefore, easy to carry around.

Inigo and Wesley use swords modeled after 17th century swept-hilt rapiers.

There were a lot of different types of hilt. The swept hilt had a lovely, graceful curve. The fancy curvature helped to protect the hand. There are a few varieties of the swept hilt. Inigo Montoya used this type of rapier handle. The dish hilt had a curved plate at the top of the handle that resembled a bowl. Often the dish hilt was super fancy.

Longsword

Yet another medieval sword was the Longsword. The Longsword was, as the name implies, rather long. In total, it averaged approximately thirty-nine to fifty-five inches long. The hilt made up a surprisingly large portion of that length, sometimes reaching ten to fifteen inches long.

Longswords

It isn’t hard to imagine that the Longsword was a double-handed sword. Knights generally held it with one hand on the pommel (the little knob on the end) or at least near it. Longswords were also predominantly double-edged, straight swords. Knights usually hewed, sliced, and stabbed with the Longsword. The Longsword was multi-use!

Falchion Sword

The last type of sword I’m covering is the Falchion. The Falchion is a bit of an anomaly because it has a curved blade. The curve wasn’t always dramatic, but it was there. It also has only one sharp edge. The Falchion was usually thirty-seven to forty inches long.

Falchion form the Morgan Bible

Falchions also had a unique beginning. Some people believe the Falchion descended from a farm tool. It was effective on cloth and leather armor, along with chainmail. It was a slashing weapon rather than a chopping sword, and there are a few different varieties.

First, the Cleaver Falchion resembled a machete. The other type of Falchion I’m covering is the Cusped Falchion. It had a straight blade with a curved flair at the end. Art often depicts them as knives, or at least something that resembles a knife.

Famous Swords: Excalibur

Excalibur is a legendary sword from one of the most famous and romanticized stories from the Middle Ages. However, King Arthur did not pull Excalibur out of the stone. He got Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake, and it came from another world. Merlin helped him find it.

It was the sword of the king, for sure. No doubts there! When King Arthur was dying, it has to return to its home; none of his knights could wield it after his death. Therefore, King Arthur had one of his knights put it back. The knight chosen changes by the story and author; however, in one story, Sir Belvedere returned the sword. Excalibur is typically depicted as a broad sword.

Famous Swords: Joyeuse

As far as famous swords, Joyeuse is pretty incredible. Joyeuse stretches the line between reality and legend. Supposedly, Joyeuse belonged to Charlemagne, the Carolian Emperor from the early Middle Ages. Joyeuse means joyful in French, which seems like an odd name for a sword that brought so much death. Galas, the Blacksmith, forged it, and, in fact, it took him three years to finish it.

Coronation Crown of the Kings of France by Blaise Alexandre Desgoffe, the sword is Joyeuse

People said it was magical. People believed that Joyeuse was so bright that it blinded enemies. They thought it was more brilliant than the sun. Folks also believed that no one could poison the owner of the sword. It has also been a part of the French coronation for centuries. Charlemagne once lost Joyeuse. He rewarded the soldier who found it. He got a plot of land to start a town. Joyeuse is a French town that is still around today. A sword called Joyeuse that was used in coronations is now kept in the Louvre.

Famous Swords: The Sword of Mercy

The Sword of Mercy is actually real! However, people exaggerate some of its stories. In fact, some people believed the Sword of Mercy could cut mountains in half. It was initially called Curtana rather than the Sword of Mercy. Edward the 1st was the first known owner.

Curtana, also called the Sword of Mercy

He used it at his coronation; many rulers since then have used it in their coronations. It is still an essential part of the ceremony. The end is blunt; at some point, the sharp edge broke off. Now it symbolizes mercy. The royal family stores it in the Tower of London with the Queen’s Jewels.

What did you think of the famous swords? Which was your favorite? What is your favorite type of sword? Let me know in the comments! Also, let me know if you have any questions.