Nursery Rhymes

Types of Swords

Medieval life and Times

Types of Swords
There were many different types of swords used during the Medieval times of the Middle Ages. The different types of swords ranged from the smallest Broadsword measuring from 30 inches to the Great swords which measured up to 72 inches. The weight of Medieval swords are usually presumed to be a lot heavier than they actually were.

Different Types of Medieval Swords
Facts and a description of the different types of Medieval swords follow. For full details click on the appropriate link.

  • The Broadsword - The earliest of the Medieval swords from the 6th Century. The Broadsword had a two-edged blade measuring 2-3 inches wide at the base and tapering to a point. The length of the Broadsword ranged from 30 - 45 inches and weighed between 3 - 5 pounds
  • The Falchion Sword - A Falchion sword was favoured by some Medieval Knights who had been on Crusade. This sword was similar to a heavy scimitar. The Medieval Falchion swords had a short, heavy blade with a single edge
  • The Great Sword - The Great Swords were large two-handed swords. The length of the Great Swords ranged from from 50 to 72 inches, with a handle that measured 18 - 21 inches in additional length. Great Swords weighed between 6 - 10 pounds. The Great Sword featured an extended handle that allowed the blade to be used in two hands
  • The Long Sword aka as the Bastard Sword - Long Swords (Bastard swords) are also known as Hand and a Half swords. The length of the Long Sword (Bastard sword) ranged from from 44 to 50 inches in length.
  • The Bastard Sword aka as the Long Sword - The versatility of the design of Bastard Swords prevented the sword from being specifically categorized as either a one-handed or two-handed weapon hence the name 'Bastard'
  • The Scimitar - The scimitar was a type of sword most commonly associated with the Saracens in the Holy Land who fought against the Crusaders. Scimitars had a distinct curved blade ending with a sharp point
  • Wooden Swords or Batons were used for training as practice swords
  • The Cutting sword - These swords were at first used by early Medieval Knights and were also particularly favoured by the the Vikings. A slashing stroke would be used but this became ineffective against heavy body armour

  • The English Tuck (Estoc) Sword - Thrusting swords to penetrate armor. Estoc is the French word  meaning thrust or point

  • The Badelaire - A French term for a short, broad, curved, and double-edged pointed sword

  • Backsword - A sword with one sharp edge

  • Cruciform - A generic term for any sword which when inverted point downward will form the shapeof a crucifix

  • Hand and a Half Sword - also called a Long Sword or Bastard Sword

  • Malchus Sword - Single-Handed Sword

  • Curve Blade Swords - German curved Messer, Grossmessr and the Bohemian Dusask

  • Storta - Italian curved storta sword

  • Messer - German machete style of sword

  • Braquemart - straight bladed but curved-edge
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