The Longsword: The Knight's Versatile Weapon

October 7, 2025

Quick Facts about the Longsword

Characteristic: A long, cross-shaped grip (15-30 cm) suited for two-handed use.
Blade: Straight and double-edged, usually between 80 and 110 cm long.
Weight: Medium between 1.2 and 1.8 kg (rarely more than 2 kg).
Period: Golden age between 1350 and 1550.
Function: Designed for both powerful cuts and precise thrusts against plate armour.

Introduction

The longsword is the ultimate symbol of the late medieval warrior. Although often confused with the gigantic two-handed swords of the Renaissance, the longsword was an elegant and balanced weapon. It emerged as an answer to improved armour: when knights switched to full plate armour, they needed a weapon that could be wielded with two hands for extra power and precision in the weak spots of the armour.

Longsword or Bastard Sword?

In modern times, the terms are often used interchangeably, but historically there's a subtle difference in handling:

Longsword: Has such a long grip that it is primarily designed to be used with two hands.
Bastard Sword (Hand-and-a-half): Has a slightly shorter, often tapered grip. This allows the sword to be wielded effectively with one hand (for example on horseback), but there is enough room for a second hand for extra power.
One-and-a-half sword: A 19th-century term that describes exactly this same hybrid use.

The Evolution of the Blade (Oakeshott Typology)

Because the longsword was dominant for more than two hundred years, the shape of the blade evolved alongside enemy armour. Expert Ewart Oakeshott divided these into several subtypes:

'Cutting Weapons' (13th - early 14th century)

Early types such as the XIIa and XIIIa were simply larger versions of the standard arming sword. They had broad blades with parallel edges, ideal for hacking through mail coifs.

Thrusting Weapons Against Plate Armour (14th - 15th century)

With the rise of steel cuirass armour, the blades became sharper and stiffer:

Type XVa: An extremely tapered blade with a diamond-shaped cross-section, purely aimed at piercing openings in the armour.
Type XVIa: A perfect compromise; the lower half is broad enough to cut, while the upper half is sharp and stiff enough to thrust.

The Late Classics (15th - 16th century)

The types XVIIIb and XVIIIc represent the pinnacle of design. These swords often have beautifully shaped, slender blades and long grips that provide enormous leverage during fencing.

Fencing: Langes Schwert vs. Kurzes Schwert

In historical German fencing manuals (such as those by Johannes Liechtenauer), the terms did not refer to the weapon itself, but to the technique:

Langes Schwert: Fighting with both hands on the hilt for maximum reach and speed.
Kurzes Schwert (Half-swording): Here the fighter grabs the blade with one hand. This transforms the sword into a short, powerful thrusting dagger to force between the gaps of enemy armour.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Did a longsword really weigh 10 kilos?

No, that's a persistent myth. A true historical longsword rarely weighed more than 1.5 to 1.8 kg. Thanks to the balance at the crossguard, the weapon even felt lighter in the hand.

Was the longsword carried on the back?

Contrary to what films often show, longswords were carried on a belt at the hip. Only extremely large two-handed swords (Zweihänders) were sometimes carried over the shoulder during marches.

Why did the longsword disappear in the 16th century?

The rise of firearms made heavy armour less effective. This shifted the focus to lighter, faster weapons for civilian self-defence, such as the rapier, while armies switched to sabres and lances.

Summary

The longsword was the answer to the rise of plate armour in the 14th century.
It distinguishes itself by a long grip that allows for powerful leverage.
The Oakeshott Typology shows how blade shape evolved from a cutting weapon to a specialized thrusting weapon.
Today, the longsword forms the basis of HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts).