

While the blade’s tip was not particularly sharp, a forceful stab into a fallen soldier could be a finishing strike.Ī knight’s sword would also have an inscription on its blade. Weighing two-to-three pounds, these swords would be swung in great arcs to gain maximum force in battle. The knightly sword evolved from Viking swords during the 11th century and was commonly used with a shield on the other hand. Later hilts were part of the blade themselves. With a double-edged blade and a cross-formed hilt, these swords were made of steel, with a hilt made of wood or bone. The knightly sword, or “arming sword,” was a one-handed sword of about 30 inches in length. The Knightly Sword: A Single-Handed Cruciform Sword While maces were as effective against leather and mail, the sword was far more likely to finish a soldier in a single swing. The decision to use either often came down to the armor the opposing force wore, as metal armor effectively protected against bladed weapons. The most popular weapon of a knight in warfare was either the “knightly sword” or mace. These “siege weapons” would often spell the difference between victory and defeat. While knights would use these hand weapons, larger medieval weapons would be constructed and used during warfare under the supervision of engineers. While knights knew archery and would sometimes hunt this way, the use of the longbow by them was rarely seen in battle – archers were rarely of the heraldic class. Outside of warfare, knights might also be seen with a lance or spear, but these were used for entertainment or ceremony. While maces and clubs were more likely to be used by commoners, some knights would use a flanged mace. Swords, war hammers, and pikes were common. What Weapons Did European Knights Really Use?Įuropean knights of the Middle ages used a wide range of medieval weapons.

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