Single Hand Swords

What was a single-handed sword called in medieval Europe?

A single-handed sword in medieval Europe was called an "arming sword". The term "arming sword" was used by historians to distinguish it from other types of swords such as two-handed swords, longswords, and greatswords. The arming sword was the most common type of sword used in Europe during the medieval period. It evolved from the earlier Viking and Norman swords taking prominence from the 12th to 15th century. The arming sword is also referred to as a knightly sword because it was carried by the knight class, or combined together as a knightly arming sword.

What was the arming sword used for?

The arming sword was a versatile weapon that could be used for cutting, thrusting, and parrying. It was primarily used as a sidearm by knights and men-at-arms during the medieval period, and it was often paired with a shield for defence. They were generally tip heavy swords compared to their successors which worked perfectly while combating knights with shields and chain mail armour. The sword could deliver powerful cuts on soft targets and light armoured opponents. The force of the slash could even knock a shield from their opponents hands to gain advantage.

What defines an arming sword?

An arming sword is typically defined as a single-handed sword with a straight, double-edged blade that was around 28-32 inches in length. The blade was usually between 1.5 and 2 inches wide, and it had a sharp point for thrusting. The arming sword had a simple crossguard to protect the hand, and it's pommel was used as a counterweight to make the sword more manoeuvrable. The arming sword was designed to be a well-balanced weapon that was easy to wield with one hand, making it an ideal sidearm for medieval knights and men-at-arms.