Why was it called a bastard sword?
The versatility of the design prevented the sword from being specifically categorized as either a one-handed or two-handed weapon. The word bastard was therefore to this sword meaning something irregular or inferior or of dubious origin, having a misleading appearance.
What does a bastard sword look like?
Bastard Sword. The Medieval Bastard Sword was also known as the Long Sword and in later times as a Hand and a Half swords. Bastard swords often had a more tapered, narrowly pointed blade. The Medieval Bastard Sword generally had a long handle which allowed for two-handed use and a longer blade.
What is the most brutal sword?
Deadliest swords in history
- The claymore, the longsword, and William Wallace.
- The katana and Masamune: Japan’s greatest sword smith.
- Para 3: Saladin’s singing scimitar.
What is a medieval bastard sword?
The term bastard sword is a modern classification of a type of medieval long sword. The bastard sword is thought to have originated in England and France. Bastard swords were thought to be a favoured weapon of medieval knights. Bastard swords had a long hilt (handle) that could be gripped comfortably with two hands.
When were bastard swords used?
The French épée bâtarde and the English “bastard sword” originate in the 15th or 16th century, originally in the general sense of “irregular sword, sword of uncertain origin”, but by the mid-16th century could refer to exceptionally large swords.
Are bastard swords real?
Around the mid-1400s, the bastard sword was developed as a form of the longsword. Originating from the French term epee batarde, medieval bastard swords included a number of blades with irregular or not easily defined traits. For example, many had longer handles that allowed them to be wielded with one or two hands.
How are bastard swords made?
Medieval swords like the bastard sword were created by moulding the metal from scratch by heating and shaping it, they were not made as is often thought by shaping a cold piece of metal that had already been prepared.
What is the medieval knight bastard sword?
The Medieval Knight Bastard Sword is a classic example of the Medieval swords found during the later part of the 14th C. These battle ready swords, along with their historical counterparts were commonly used by the nobility during the 100 years war, between England and France (1337 to 1453) .
How much does a bastard sword weigh?
The bastard sword had a two edged blade which tapered into a point and weighed around 5-8 pounds, it was usually around 40 to 48 inches in length. A bastard sword can be described as a cutting, slicing and thrusting weapon, it was capable of cutting off the limbs of an enemy easily in just one stroke.
What kind of swords were used in the 14th and 15th century?
The Swords of the 14th & 15th Century. The longsword, also known as the bastardsword, was the iconic medieval sword used during the late medieval period. It is classified by Ewart Oakeshott as a Type XIIIa sword. It differs from earlier swords, mostly by its longer hilt and narrow tappered blade.
What are the parts of a bastard sword?
The cross guard is the straight piece of metal just before the start of the blade, the grip is the part of the handle that you hold onto and the pommel is the part right at the bottom of the handle which is usually a rounded shape. The long hilt 10-15 inches in length mainly distinguishes the bastard sword from other medieval swords.