Quick Facts about the Arming Sword
Type: Single-handed, double-edged sword (archetype of the European sword).
Period: Peak years between the 10th and 15th centuries.
Length: Blade usually between 70 and 80 cm.
Use: Combined with a shield or buckler; later as a sidearm (arming sword).
Feature: Cruciform hilt with a prominent pommel for balance.
Introduction
The arming sword, commonly called the arming sword, is the most recognizable weapon in European history. It was more than just a killing tool; it was a symbol of the aristocratic knightly order. Developed from the Viking sword, this fast and balanced weapon became the standard for knights on horseback and on foot throughout the entire Romanesque and Gothic period.
Evolution: From Viking to Rapier
The development of the arming sword followed the technological arms race between weapons and armour:
The Early Middle Ages (10th-12th century): The blades were broad and designed to deliver powerful cuts against opponents in chainmail shirt and gambeson. The center of gravity was further forward for maximum striking power.
The High Middle Ages (13th-14th century): The crossguard became longer for better hand protection and blades gradually became sharper.
The Late Middle Ages (15th century): With the advent of plate armour, the sword changed. Estoc variants appeared: stiff, pointed blades designed solely to pierce through the gaps in armour.
The Renaissance: The arming sword formed the basis for the Spada da Lato (side sword) and ultimately the Rapier.
The Oakeshott Typology: The Classics
Ewart Oakeshott classified these swords based on their blade shape. The main "knightly" types are:
Type X: The Norman transition model with a broad blood groove (fuller).
Type XII: The classic crusader sword; a tapered blade with a shorter blood groove for better balance between cutting and thrusting.
Type XIV: A shorter, broad sword that tapers sharply to a pointed tip, popular around 1300.
Type XV & XVIII: The late medieval versions with a diamond-shaped cross-section, specifically designed to pierce through armour.
The Pommel: Balance and Symbolism
The pommel (the knob at the end of the hilt) was essential for balance, but also served as decoration. Oakeshott distinguished 24 main forms:
Brazil-nut (Type A): A flat, almond-shaped pommel from the early Middle Ages.
Wheel pommel (Type G & H): The most iconic round shape, dominant from the 13th century.
Key and Fish-tail pommel (Type U & V): Complex shapes from the late 15th century.
Mysterious Inscriptions
Many blades contained inscriptions ranging from religious texts to seemingly random letter combinations. In the 12th century, it was fashionable to place formulas such as In Nomine Domini (In the Name of the Lord) on the blade. Some swords, such as the famous Pernik sword, contain sequences of letters that puzzle historians to this day. These inscriptions were often inlaid with silver wire or brass.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is it called an "arming sword"?
In the 15th century, swords grew larger (longswords). The shorter, single-handed sword then became the "secondary" weapon that one always wore at the side while in armour (the "arming" of the knight), hence the name.
How heavy was an arming sword?
Contrary to what films suggest, these swords were light and maneuverable. An average arming sword weighed between 1.0 and 1.3 kg. The balance was often close to the crossguard, making it incredibly swift to wield.
Was the sword always used with a shield?
In the early Middle Ages, yes. As armour improved (plate armour), the shield became smaller (buckler) or even disappeared entirely, because the knight needed his other hand to drive the sword with more force or to grab the enemy.
Summary
The arming sword is the direct descendant of the Viking sword.
The Oakeshott typology helps us understand the evolution from cutting to thrusting weapons.
In the late Middle Ages, it was worn as a sidearm (arming sword) alongside larger weapons.
It remains the most iconic symbol of the medieval knightly order.
Internal links
The Longsword: History of the One-and-a-Half-Hander
The Kite Shield: The Iconic Knight's Shield of the Middle Ages
The Viking Sword: Frankish Craftsmanship in Norse Hands
Male Fashion in the High Middle Ages (1066-1300)
