Single Handed European Swords

Single Handed Swords also known as an Arming Sword

The single handed sword with a cruciform hilt is one of the most seen medieval style knight's swords ever made and was found all throughout Europe for hundreds of years until sometime in the 15th century. First appearing in the 11th this sword was a direct evolution of the viking or Norman swords and is easily recognized for its larger cross guard which was much smaller to non-existent in it's predecessors. This type of sword was legendary, often carried with a shield and knight suited in maille it ruled Europe. The development of iron soldiers reduced it to a secondary role to the newer bastard and great swords that followed before further evolving into the cut and thrust swords of the Renaissance.