Top 5 Medieval Swords and Their Key Features

In the Middle Ages, knights used a sword that was referred to as a longsword. In the 14th century, it became popular in England. In its heyday, swordsmen from around Europe took part in championship fighting with their longswords. After time passed, this longsword evolved into a shorter weapon known as a rapier or spadroon.

During this time period, longswords were popular among knights who fought with two swords or dextral. While short swords are preferred for close-combat situations, longswords are excellent weapons for hitting an opponent at a distance due to their wide blade. There were many, many different swords used throughout the medieval era.

Broadly speaking, medieval swords can be divided into three categories: cutting swords, thrusting swords, and piercing swords. Thrusting and piercing blades had their own unique hilt designs to fit their nature; meanwhile, cutting blades could have either a curved blade or an arched blade. Here is the Top five Medieval Swords List:

1. The Falchion

Used primarily as a cutting weapon in Western Europe during the Middle Ages (10th-16th centuries). It had an angled blade which was useful for slicing cuts. This was the sword that Martin Wallace used in his Defiance movie. Basically, it was used for fighting with a single hand.

2. The Voulge

This weapon was first introduced in France and then later spread to Germany and England during the Middle Ages (10th-16th centuries). It is basically a polearm, so most of its uses were confined to mounted warfare, though it could also be used for unmounted combat. Most of its users were of German descent.

3. The Great Sword

It was one of the most popular medieval swords and was mainly used in Western Europe during the Middle Ages (10th-16th centuries). Although it had a large blade size, it was relatively light, easy to wield, and well-balanced. This made it easier for infantry to use during the period.

4. The Scottish Claymore

This is one of the most famous real swords used during the Middle Ages (10th-16th centuries). It was originally designed as a weapon of war by the Scots but was later adopted by other European populations as well. It had a long curved blade with a full-width grip.

This is one of the Middle Ages’ most popular weapons. It was mainly used for attacking other riders, as well as defending against those who would attempt to attack you. It was also an excellent weapon when used for dismounted combat.

5. The Spada da Spada

These medieval swords were created by the Venetians to use during naval battles. It had a light blade and a long pommel, which made it easy to wield without getting tired. Although it was a rare weapon, it is one of the most popular European medieval swords because of its design and unique hilt: very effective in close-quarters combat and effective even for naval battles, seeing that sailors actually fought with it as well.

Key Features of These Medieval Swords

It’s no surprise that medieval swords have earned themselves a reputation as some of the most iconic and powerful weapons in history! These stylish blades are a true feat of craftsmanship, whether they are part of your collection or not. From their intimidating size to their carefully sculpted hilts, these swords can be appreciated for all sorts of reasons. Here are the qualities of these swords:

• Simplicity

One of the first things that you may notice when you look at these swords is their simplicity. These swords must be based on practical considerations, such as how well a sword can be used in battle and how it can be easily swung. To accomplish this end, the swords were constructed to have a lightweight construction, with minimal amounts of metal used in their construction. This means that they are very easy to wield without being too light and losing balance.

• Purpose

Another thing that you may notice about these swords is that they have certain purposes in mind for themselves, such as being fast and powerful weapons used by warriors on the front lines of battle.

• Speed

Each type is different in weight, length, balance, and the way it handles. A heavy sword could be used against armor or in chopping motions for close encounters when you have very little room to move around. Some other types are lighter weight and better for quick attacks such as slashes or cuts carried out from horseback in open spaces

• Versatility

Another quality of medieval swords is that they are very efficient and versatile weapons! While they were used mainly as weapons for battle, they can also be used for certain types of hunting as well! Swords have also been used as tools for various purposes such as breaking open locks and peeling fruit. This is a great example of the versatility that you can expect from your sword!

• Sculpture

The hilts or handles of these swords were commonly sculpted with intricate details, like the carvings on the pommel or even engravings on the blade itself. This is a very important part of medieval sword construction because the hilts can give you an impression of the swordsman’s history and personality!

• Weight

Finally, one thing that you should be aware of in regard to the quality of your own medieval sword is that it can vary based on how heavy or light it is. The latter category includes the katana sword based on those used by samurai during the feudal era and the Middle Ages! Swords were definitely made to suit certain purposes, so it’s important to make sure that your own medieval sword suits you aptly.

• Maintenance

As you may already know, swords are well-known for being weapons based on practicality and functionality. Even though medieval swords are the most popular among sword collectors nowadays, they’re also some of the toughest to maintain! You can clean your sword with a cloth and wipe it down, but be sure to use cleaning products that won’t damage its finish or handle. Don’t soak your sword in water because it can damage the blade itself.

Also Read: Parts of a Sword

What Made These Medieval Swords Popular?

Believe it or not, the medieval era saw the creation of some of the most beautiful swords ever to exist. With origins dating back to around 600 AD, medieval swords were mainly forged from steel and represented a significant advancement from their bronze predecessors. It’s important to note that these blades originally evolved largely from shorter weapons like daggers, spearheads, and partisans which required powerful swings in order to be effective.

These swords gradually became very distinctive with a sharp point on one side for thrusting and a broad blade on the other for cutting or slashing. The straight blade was often designed with ridges near its center section called fullers which helped make it lighter without sacrificing strength and durability. The blade was then tapered at its tip and base.

These swords were often adorned with a cross guard which protected the hand and a handle that allowed them to be effectively wielded. The most important factor that distinguished these swords from their predecessors was their size. Oftentimes they were extremely long, measuring between 3 to 4 feet in length.

This allowed them to be used for both thrusting and cutting with devastating effects on an opponent’s body. The average medieval sword or a modern sasuke sword weighed between 3 to 4 pounds which only added to its power given all the swinging it would take during battle. However, despite their sharpness, these swords could still easily be broken using a strong strike or properly placed thrust of a similar weapon.