The swords of Medieval Europe were inspired by Celtic-made weapons. During 1000 AD, Europe had fought numerous wars to acquire land, slaves, wealth, and power. Thus, swords were very popular at the time.
In the late Iron Age period, otherwise called the Celtic period, iron had replaced bronze in Celtic sword-making. Although iron was introduced earlier, it only became increasingly popular during the 8th century BC. Thereafter, a technique was discovered which could turn iron into steel, simply by adding carbon. As it's more durable, steel eventually replaced iron. Among the fiercest weapons of the Celts were the Falcata swords. This unassuming weapon has an extremely sharp blade and a pistol grip, allowing strong and precise hits on the enemies. Tours of Ireland can shed light on this period and allow one to explore the ancient battlefields which these weapons were used on.
There were a myriad of swords used during the Medieval Period in Europe. Among these were:
- The Broadsword: A straight, double-edged sword used during warfare in the 17th and 18th centuries. Shaped like a cruciform, it is sometimes called Basket-hilted back sword. Its length is between 2 ½ to 3 ½ feet and weighs approximately 3 pounds.
- The Falchion sword: Swords of the Medieval Knights belonging to the Crusades. This single-bladed curve sword is a bit short and weighs about 2 pounds. It was produced in bulk during the 11th to 16th century because of the many wars in Europe during this era. They were perfect for hand-to-hand combats.
- The Scimitar sword: A medium sized bladed weapon extending 3 feet in length. This was used during the Medieval Period but mostly by warriors in Asia. It has a curve blade and a metal handle. There are a few variations of Scimitar swords and most of them are known as the pirate swords.
- The Greatsword: Otherwise called the Gret Swerd, it is a large and powerful sword. A two-handed sword used in the 15th and 16th century, it extends up to 6 feet in length, inclusive of the handle. Made with a ring on both sides of the handle and a triangular fluke in the same area, it was widely used by the elite army of the Medieval Period.
- The Longsword: It was used in the middle and later part of the Medieval Period as a weapon for offense and defense. As the name suggests, the Longsword is longer in length than the average sword, about 4 feet, weighing around 3 pounds. A two-handed sword, some warriors preferred to use it single-handedly.
Since Europe was the ground of many wars during the Medieval Period, it was necessary for people to arm themselves with the best weapons at the time. As a result, swords were very much in demand in Medieval Europe. Up until now, it is interesting to note that people still collect and use these swords, as a reminder of Europe’s rich history.
Written by Michael S. Atwood