Medieval Weapons

In 1884 Sir Richard F. Burton’s The Book of the Sword was published by Chatto and Windus in London.  The volume was republished in 1987 by Dover.  For those who are drawn to the past and its more civilized lifestyle will appreciate some of Sir Richard’s reflections on the most honorable of weapons.  Keep in mind while reading some of the excerpts of his reflections on the sword that the words were written prior to 1884.  If you are an avid fan of the past and its traditions, this is an excellent read.  I found it at my local library. Here are a few of the relections of Sir Richard.

“The history of the sword is the history of humanity.  The ‘White Arm’ means something more than the oldest, the most universal, the most varied of weapons, the only one which has lived through all time.’

He, she, or it–for the gender of the Sword varies–has been worshipped with priestly sacrifices as a present god.  Hebrew revelation represents the sharp and two edged sword going out of the mouth of the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords.  We read of a ‘Sword of God, a holy Sword,’ the ‘Sword of the Lord and of Gideon’; and ‘I came not to send peace but a Sword, ‘meaning the warfare and martyrdom of man.

Uniformly and persistently personal, the Sword became no longer an abstraction but a Personage, endowed with human as well as superhuman qualities.  He was a sentient being who spoke, and sang and joyed and grieved.  Identified with his wearer he was an object of affection, and was pompously named as a well-beloved son and heir.  To surrender the Sword was submission; to break the Sword was degradation.  To kiss the Sword was, and in places still is the highest form of oath and homage. 

The Sword killed and cured; the hero when hopless fell upon his Sword; and the heroine, like Lucreita and Calphurnia, used the blade standing.  The Sword cut the Gordian knot of every difficulty.  The Sword was the symbol of justice and of martydrom and accompanied the wearer to the tomb as well as to the feast and the fight.  ”

The significance of the Sword has survived for many ages.  Today the same words can be used in reference to this magnificent weapon; it is a weapon that is deeply entrenched in art,  literature, religion, history and humanity.  There will never be a weapon that can ever again attain this affluence.  The firearm is a weapon that requires a little skill, aim-fire-kill or maim.  The Sword is graceful but vigorous.  Sword-play is an exercise that requires a skill that few are able to master. 

Swords still play a big role in modern society.  There are a few of us who still appreciate and love the images of the knight in shining armor, the armed knight bearing a crusader shield and a cross hilt sword, or  the Renaissance knight battling with a rapier.  History is repeated on weekends all across the world–the reenactor, the collector, the fantasy gamer, and the skilled sword maker keep the myth alive. 

Tonight on NBC another movie will appear similar in nature to The DaVinci Code.  It is based on the book, The Last Templar by Raymond Khoury.  The movie obviously will contribute to the  questions surrounding the ancient military order. Many fictional and factual books have been published attempting to explain the mysteries of these crusading knights.  One of the most popular studies of the Templars is Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Henry Lincoln. 

The book by Baigent, Leigh and Lincoln asks the question on which the mysterious legend is based: 

“Who and what were the Knights Templar? Were they merely what they appeared to be, or were they something else? Were they simple soldiers onto whom an aura of legend and mystification was subsequently based?”

The Order of the Poor Knights of Christ and the Temple of Solomon was founded in 1118.  Its founder was Hugues de Payen, a nobleman from Champagne.  The objective of the Templars was to keep the roads safe for the pilgrims visiting Jerusalem which at the time was in control of Christians.  At the time there were nine knights and for a long period of time they admitted no one to their order. 

They moved into lavish quarters in the palace of the King of Jerusalem.  According to tradition their quarters were over the remains of King Solomon’s Temple and from their living place they derived their name.  Because they resided over the remains of this rich, elaborate temple, caused many to question whether they truly were impoverished, chaste and humble warriors for Christ when in fact to many they appeared arrogant and rich.  In fact they were rich, because they owned estates in most European countries, although when entering the order they were obliged to relinquish all their wealth and land holdings. 

Although their behavior and chaste commitment were questionable, they played a major role when the west was forced to try to recapture the Holy Land from the Saracens.  They were the most organized and disciplined of all the knights and foot soldiers who fought to recapture the land.  They wore white surcoats and cloaks, and later a red cross was emblazoned on their garments. The white clad Templars could be seen protecting the rearguard and van of all Crusader marches.  They were efficient and powerful soldiers–the best of fighters with the sword and lance.  They sacrificed their lives for the cause.  300 Templars were executed at Hattin by Saladin, the well known Saracen leader.

Were they the best of the Medieval knights or the worst?  Perhaps they were both.  Regardless, they have aroused a curiosity regarding their past. Replica Knights Templar swords, shields and clothing are some of the most popular among Medieval collectors and reenactors.
 

The definition   of The Hand and a Half or Bastard Sword according to A Glossary of the Construction, Definition and Use of Arms and Armor,  is a long, straight blade of the 15th century with a plain cross guard, long grip and rounded pommel.  This sword was ordinarily used with one hand, but the grip was long enough to allow it to be grasped with two to three fingers of the left hand if it was desired to give extra weight to the blow.

Actually according to Swords and Hilt Weapons this Bastard Sword made its appearance in the mid twelfth century.  Perhaps these early Hand and a Half Swords were produced for the Plantaganet family, or a well known family who always desired a little extra power on the blade. 

One of the most famous Bastard Swords that is preserved belonged to Henry IV of England.  It was made for him by Herman van Cleve, a goldsmith.  This Medieval Sword was obviously ceremonial in nature, because of its rich detail of gold forget-me-nots, which was Henry’s symbol before he ascended the throne.  If you are interested in an entertaining  description of Henry IV, Shakespeare provides a lively account  in his plays, HenryIV, parts I and II.  If you desire to be a Renaissance man with a sword and combat skills, try adding a little literacy to the mix also.

Speaking of the Renaissance, this is the period that saw the greatest popularity of the Bastard Sword.  Plate armour became very sophisticated with metal of various sizes being attached to a reinforced heavy fabric  jacket.  In combat against this type of armor, the thrusting sword was favored over the cutting sword.  The mounted knight of the early Renaissance  was armed with two swords, one on the front or side of his saddle and the other on his hip.  Both of these weapons were Bastard or Hand and a Half Swords.

These swords were used extensively in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.  Their use continued until the seventeenth century.

If you are interested in a Bastard Sword in your LARP or historical reenactment, there are many different price ranges of these replica swords.  If you have the big bucks, why not have a custom Hand and a Half weapon made especially for you.  One of the most talented swordsmiths  is Michael “Tinker” Pearce.  Also, Pearce has done design work for CAS/Hanwei, and if you can’t afford a custom sword, the CAS/Hanwei “Tinker” Sword is an outstanding well balanced weapon.  Who doesn’t need a little extra power in the blade?

Many pagan cultures played a very important role in Christmas celebrations from Medieval Europe until December 25, 2008.  Their rituals may have been reworked and glossed to fit our present day interpretation of the holiday, but the fact remains that the Vikings, Romans, Anglo-Saxons and other ancient cultures played a very significant role in the Christian celebration. 

The Romans which are so influential in anything of any consequence in the Medieval and post Roman occupation of the European world also put their stamp on the Christian holiday.  In Rome pagans celebrated three important Roman festivals, Saturnalia (December 17-23), the Kalends (January 1-5), and Dues Sol Invictus, which we celebrate as the twelve nights of Christmas.  This celebration to the sun was December 25.  The citizens would light bonfires, decorate buildings with evergreens as  encouragement for the sun to return. 

If the Vikings had seen pictures of Santa Claus cruising the skies in a sleigh pulled by reindeer, they probably would have assumed he was catching a ride with Thor, the Norse god of thunder.  According to Viking traditions, Thor’s personal transport was a flying wagon pulled by a team of horned goats.  The ancient Viking god, Odin, also brought gifts to good little Viking boys and girls.

The Roman Church designated December 25 as the  date of the birth of Christ in the fourth century.  Some early Christians did not celebrate Christmas, because they felt that the celebration had too many pagan practices.  In Roman occupied England the Catholic church banned mumming (masquerades) and wassailing (Anglo-Saxon for good health) as pagan practices, but the common people still celebrated with enthusiasm.  When the Vikings invaded, they would reinvigorate pagan practices.  In the rural areas pagan traditions remained very strong.  When the Roman troops were recalled in the fifth century, it was very common that Thor and Christ were worshipped side by side.

One of the most important archaeological finds in the research of the Anglo Saxon culture was the discovery of a mound in a cemetery overlooking the Deben River near the Suffolk coast in England.  The relics and weapons found in the tomb forced a revision of long held notion that the Anglo Saxons were a primitive and simple people.  These intricately designed early weapons have been the pattern weapons for many collectible swords and amor of the modern day. 

This significant discovery was made in 1939.  Up to this point in history the poem, “Beowulf,” was the only historical evidence that perhaps a more sophisticated Anglo Saxon culture existed.  From Beowulf there is a quote that in a sense describes the grave that the archaeologists found.

“Upon the headland the Geats erected a broad high tumulus plainly visible to distant seamen….within the barrow they placed collars, brooches and all the trappings which they had plundered from the treasure hoard.  They buried the gold and left that princely treasure to the keeping of the earth, where yet it remains….”

The name Sutton Hoo is taken from the site where the tomb was found.  Many rumors and mysteries surround this burial place of the ancients.  It was rumored that Henry VIII’s representatives dug and found treasure at Sutton Hoo. Elizabeth I’s magician, John Dee, also sought treasure there.

What had not been plundered was still very magnificent.  In the earth there was an impression of the ghost ship which was elegant and long.  The wood had rotted over time, but the metal fasteners of the ship were still in place.  Inside the ship the magnificent regala which obviously belonged to a a mighty warrior or King was found.  The treasure consisted of an intricately designed battle helmet, a ceremonial sword with gold and garnet fittings, a whetstone, a stand, spears, a battle axe and a shield with bird and dragon figures.

Still there is no precise evidence to indicate if this place was indeed a burial site.  Soil tests have been inconclusive.  But in 1979 evidence of a coffin was found in the ship.  Who knows for certain about this Sutton Hoo Man?

A rapier is a slender, sharply pointed sword with a long blade and a complex, sometimes embellished hilt primarily used for thrusting attacks in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries.  The hilt of the rapier is made to protect the hand that wields it.  Also called a hilt rapier, this thrusting sword was called other things as well due to the tendency of sword masters of the time using description of a sword’s function as a method of naming it.

It is thought that the rapier began to develop in Spain around the year 1500 as a type of dress sword for civilians and duels.  It became increasingly fashionable over time in Europe among the wealthier classes, but always had its detractors. With its long reach, the rapier allowed for fast reactions suitable for civilian combat in the 16th and 17th centuries.  Military-style swords for cutting and thrusting purposes continued to evolve to meet battlefield needs, and rapiers continued to change with the times as well, becoming lighter and shorter and eventually succumbing to the widespread use of the smallsword in the 1700s.