Medieval Swords

The name "sword" comes from the Latin "spatha", which was a Roman weapon, developed in the 1st century from the gladius used by infantry. Unlike the gladius, the spatha was longer, between 70 and 100 cm, to be used by cavalry. Several centuries later, based on the design of the spatha, medieval swords were developed.

Medieval swords as weapons were used from the 5th to the 16th century. It was a typical weapon of the medieval knight.

Characteristics of medieval swords

Medieval swords are straight, double-edged swords with hilts for one or two hands. They are also characterized by having a flattened lenticular profile with grooves on both sides, which serves to lighten the swords without reducing their strength.

The average blade length of a medieval sword is between 70 and 85 cm.

The tip of a medieval sword was capable of piercing almost any type of armor of the time.

The balance point of the blade was closer to the guard than on a spatha, which made handling this weapon easier.

The weight of medieval swords varies between 900 g and 1.3 kg.

Types of medieval swords

Medieval swords differ in many aspects. One of the most important is the type of edge. There are single-edged swords and double-edged swords.

Almost all single-edged swords are Asian swords, while double-edged swords were more commonly used in medieval Europe. The unsharpened side of this type of sword was used for counter-attacking.

Another major difference between medieval swords is the way they are wielded, that is, whether it is a one-handed or two-handed sword.

Among one-handed medieval swords, the following types can be highlighted:

·         Bronze Age swords (60 cm).

·         Iron Age swords.

·         Roman Spatha (80-90 cm in length).

·         The classic European medieval sword (85-115 cm).

·         Baselard or Swiss sword (80-100 cm)

·         The Italian Cinquedea (80-100 cm)

·         The German Katzbalger (80-100 cm)

·         The Japanese Wakizashi sword

·         The Arab Scimitar

·         Persian Shamshir

·         The Kalis or Kris from East India (80-90cm)

·         The Japanese Ninjato

·         The saber, although it is a specific type of sword, is sometimes not classified within the group of swords, but forms a separate type. A saber is characterized by having a curved blade, and that is precisely what forms the difference between a sword and a saber. 

Among two-handed medieval swords, the following types stand out:

·         Longsword, also known as bastard sword.

·         The Japanese Katana.

·         German Dopplehander or Zweihänder from the 16th century.    

·         The Chinese anti-cavalry Zhanmadao sword.   

In this category, we offer you the chance to discover medieval swords of various types, such as single-edged and double-edged swords, one-handed or two-handed, sabers, perfect for historical reenactment, a theatrical show, or simply as decoration for your home.