Medieval Swords Information on Construction

Medieval swords were just one type of weapon used in the middle ages. Swords were normally used by the knights. The armor for the knight, horse were very expensive, but one knight was worth ten fighting men. Swords were the weapon of the knights yet the swords changed as warfare and armor in the middle ages changed.

A double edged sword was used at the start of the medieval ages, but it evolved into a strong diamond shaped sword. This sword could be stabbed or thrust between chain mail much easier. There are many medieval sword types used in the middle ages such as broadsword, falchion, longsword, scimitar and greatsword.

These medieval swords ranged from the small broadsword at 30 inches to the greatsword which were 72 inches long. The swords were not as heavy as you would imagine.

The broadsword was the earliest medieval sword and originated in the 6th century. It was a blade with two edges, double edged, was 2 to 3 inches wide and taped to a point. The length was between 30 to 45 inches and weighed hardly anything at 3 to 5 pounds.

The falchion sword was used by medieval knights that had been on the crusades. It is very similar to a scimitar. The falchion was a short, heavy sword with only one edge.

The greatsword is just as it sounds, a large sword. It is a two handed sword at 50 to 72 inches in length. The handle was another 18-21 inches long. Even with all that length, the swords were normally only 6 to 10 pounds. But try fighting with it for hours, and you'd be exhausted.

Another medieval sword is the longsword or bastardsword as it is also called. Another name for them is the hand and a half sword. They were 44 to 50 inches long.

The scimitar is not a sword you would usually associate with medieval knights or fighters, but is indeed from the middle ages. This sword was used by the eastern soldiers fighting in the Holy Lands. The blade is curved and ends in a sharp point.

The last medieval sword is the cutting sword. They were used by early knights and used quite a lot by Vikings as well. They were used with a slashing stroke. This sword fell out of favor when heavy body armor began to be used.