The bastardský meč, the French épée bâtarde and the English bastard sword, originated in the 15th century. Originally, the term referred to an 'irregular' sword that could be used with both one and two hands. By the middle of the 16th century, it could also refer to exceptionally large swords, causing the distinction between 'bastardský meč' and 'dlhý meč' to become increasingly blurred. The Masters of Defence competition, organized by Henry VIII in July 1540, mentioned the 'two-handed sword' and the 'bastard sword' as two separate categories. It is unclear whether the same term was also used for other types of shorter swords, but in the 19th century "bastardský meč" became clearly established as a reference to large swords. This causes the term to often be confused with the dlhý meč or the obojručný meč.
História bastardského meča
With zbrane and zbroj, there is a clear relationship between the development of both. Whoever wanted to survive on the medieval battlefield had to constantly take new measures. During the High Middle Ages (1000–1300 AD), knights were armored with gambesons and krúžkovými košeľami. These offered good protection against blows, limited protection against thrusts, and gave the wearer enough mobility to use his armor effectively. Around this period, the aristocracy fought with the meč exclusively with the arming sword (jednoručný meč).
Early longwords
Already from the 12th century, experiments were made in creating larger swords (Oakeshott type XIIa and XIIIa), which could deliver more powerful blows to break through the krúžková košeľa. These were the early types of dlhý meč and served as precursors to the dlhý meč and the bastardský meč from the late Middle Ages.
Longwords
Around the 14th century, plate armor developed, initially to protect knees and elbows, with the coat of plates as its pinnacle, which was worn over the krúžková košeľa. By the end of the 14th century, one went a step further and the kyrys, leg, arm and pauldrons were also developed. Around this period, we speak of full zbroj. This made dlhý meč increasingly important. These mečs could, in addition to blows, also thrust much more powerfully than traditional knight swords. With these zbrane, thrusts were aimed at vulnerable parts of the body, such as the arms and the neck.
Alongside the new dlhý meč, the bastardský meč developed in the 15th century. The main difference is that dlhý mečs have a grip that is clearly designed for use with two hands, while bastardské mečs have a grip that is suitable for use with one hand and sometimes also with two. This is where the meč gets its name: the bastard is neither a one-hander nor a two-hander. Bastardské mečs are generally lighter and shorter than dlhý mečs, making them excellently combined with a shield or beukelaar.
Composition
The bastardský meč consists of a blade that is often slightly longer than that of a normal jednoručný meč. The blade tapers and has two cutting edges. The crossguard is comparable to that of the traditional knight mečs and it is also provided with a pommel. The grip is longer than that of an arming meč (jednoručný meč) but shorter than that of a dlhý meč. This makes the weight lighter than that of a dlhý meč and the zbrane is more agile and suitable both for easy cutting and thrusting.
One-and-a-half hander
The term anderhalfhander is relatively modern (from the end of the 19th century). This name refers to the fact that the meč could be used with both one hand and two hands due to its balance. In the first half of the 20th century, the term bastardský meč was still regularly used for this type of meč, while dlhý meč, if used at all, referred to the rapier in the context of Renaissance or early modern fencing.
Dlhý meč or bastardský meč?
Despite many attempts, it remains difficult to make a clear distinction between a dlhý meč and a bastardský meč. Both types regularly overlap in size. In principle, one can assume the following: a bastardský meč has a shorter grip, allowing it to be used with both one hand and possibly two hands, while a dlhý meč has a longer grip and is primarily used as a two-handed zbrana.
