Hand-and-a-half sword, probably German, c. 1400–1430[1]
Type
Sword (two-handed, double-edged)
Place of origin
Europe
Service history
In service
High Middle Ages, Late Middle Ages, Renaissance, c. 1100–1700
Production history
Produced
~1100–1500
Specifications
Mass
avg. 1.1–2 kg (2.4–4.4 lb)
Length
total: avg. 100–140 cm (39–55 in)
blade: avg. 80–110 cm (31–43 in)
grip: avg. 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in)
A longsword (also spelled as long sword or long-sword) is a type of European sword characterized as having a cruciform hilt with a grip for primarily two-handed use (around 15 to 30 cm or 6 to 12 in), a straight double-edged blade of around 80 to 110 cm (31 to 43 in), and weighing approximately 1 to 1.5 kg (2 lb 3 oz to 3 lb 5 oz).[2][3]
The "longsword" type exists in a morphological continuum with the medieval knightly sword and the Renaissance-era Zweihänder. It was prevalent during the late medieval and Renaissance periods (approximately 1350 to 1550), with early and late use reaching into the 12th and 17th centuries.
^"Hand-and-a-Half Sword". Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
^Loades, Mike (2010). Swords and Swordsmen. Great Britain: Pen & Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-84884-133-8.
^"Hand-and-a-Half Sword". Metropolitan Museum of Art. Archived from the original on 19 July 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2017. Wt. 3 lb. 7 oz. (1560 g)
A longsword (also spelled as long sword or long-sword) is a type of European sword characterized as having a cruciform hilt with a grip for primarily...
William Longsword (French: Guillaume Longue-Épée, Old Norman: Williame de lon Espee, Latin: Willermus Longa Spata, Old Norse: Vilhjálmr Langaspjót; c...
the majority of surviving sources concerning the use of the two-handed longsword detail the German school of swordsmanship and the Italian school of swordsmanship...
a fruitful harvest. The Morris Ring refer to the dance tradition as 'longsword' as do EFDSS. However the Goathland Plough Stots website states that "The...
German school of fencing focuses primarily on the use of the two-handed longsword; it also describes the use of many other weapons, including polearms,...
region of Normandy until at least 928. He was succeeded by his son William Longsword in the Duchy of Normandy that he had founded. The offspring of Rollo and...
modern and traditional disciplines. During the Late Middle Ages, the longsword had a position of honour among these disciplines, and sometimes historical...
large sword designed to be used primarily with two hands: the European longsword, popular in the Late Middle Ages and Renaissance. the Scottish late medieval...
William of Montferrat (early 1140s – 1177), also called William Longsword (modern Italian Guglielmo Lungaspada; original Occitan Guilhem Longa-Espia)...
refers to wasters fashioned to resemble western European weapons like the longsword or arming sword. Historically, the term "waster" was used in English to...
elongated arming sword or later-period messer, possibly a descendant of the longsword. Though scant when it comes to both literary and iconographic references...
(primary) and thrusting Spatha: Celtic/Germanic/Roman one-handed double-edged longsword – blade 50–100 cm (20–39 in) – for thrusting and slashing, used by gladiators...
Blesevin dynasty). The Norman counts of Rouen were: Rollo, 911–927 William Longsword, 927–942 The Norman dukes of Normandy were: Richard I, 942–996 Richard...
Post-classical period Migration Period sword Viking sword Arming sword Longsword Claymore Falchion Early modern period Zweihänder Spada da lato Katzbalger...
be curved or straight. Arming sword Dagger Estoc Falchion Katana Knife Longsword Messer Rapier Sabre or Saber (Most sabers belong to the renaissance period...
into the Oettingen-Wallerstein library. Part A treats fighting with the longsword, dagger and messer. Part B is inserted in two parts, interrupting the...
landholders held their lands in feudal tenure. Richard was born to William Longsword, princeps (chieftain or ruler) of Normandy, and Sprota, a Breton concubine...
Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling Defendu Devon wrestling English Longsword School Historical fencing in Scotland Lancashire wrestling Suffrajitsu...
more danico of the Viking leader Rollo. She was the mother of William I Longsword, Gerloc and grandmother of Richard the Fearless, who forged the Duchy...
manuscript copies. The subject matter treated is: Volume 1: A. German longsword B. Dussack (backsword) C. Staff D. Pike E. Halberd F. Fighting with the...
became a court rank in Constantinople), and from this time, the term longsword is applied to swords comparatively long for their respective periods....
point called "arming swords" and contrasting with the two-handed, heavier longswords. Though the majority of late-medieval arming swords kept their blade properties...
Global Information