The Evolution Of the Medieval Sword In the 13th - 15th Centuries

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Brooklyn, NY (prHWY.com) February 21, 2013 - Sword design in the late medieval period evolved in direct response to rapid changes that were taking place in armor. Therefore, the key to understanding how and why the medieval sword evolved as it did is to understand the changes in the armor. As weapons improved, the armor had to improve as well to adequately defend against the improved weapons. As armor got better, the design of weapons had to improve to be able to penetrate the armor. Some historians refer to this as the "arms race" of the late medieval period.

The late medieval period is roughly defined as the period between the early 13th century and the end of the 15th century. During this 300 year span, armor changed more dramatically and more rapidly than it had for more than 1000 years previously. Prior to the 13th century, the primary armor worn was a suit of chain mail made of small interlocking rings of metal. Chain mail was quite effective at defending against slashes and cuts of the early to middle medieval sword. However, a chain mail suit did not protect well against blunt blows or thrusts. Therefore, a sword wielder of this time used a hand-held shield in their non-dominant hand to block thrusts from their opponent. This left only one hand, the dominant hand, to hold the sword.

In the early part of the 13th century, windlass crossbows, bludgeoning weapons, and lances were becoming increasingly popular weapons. Chain mail did not protect well against these weapons and the hand-held shield was not adequate protection either. In response to this, metal plates began being added to a warrior's armor. By the middle of the 13th century, almost every warrior wore a breastplate over his chest and another over his back. Over the next few decades, more metal plates were added to the armor as well. Vambraces for the arms and greaves for the legs were the next in line.

At first, the joints were left uncovered so the warrior could move more easily but the sword evolved to take advantage of this vulnerability. The hilt of the medieval sword got longer so the wielder could hold it with both hands. This allowed the wielder to strike with much greater force and therefore thrusts were were much more effective. Using two hands also allowed the wielder to strike much more accurately, allowing them to specifically aim for the joints and other areas of the body that were not covered with metal plates. In response to this, the arms race escalated and metal plates were added to protect the elbows and knees. There were called couters and poleyns respectively.

In the 14th century, the metal plates on armor got thicker and more carbonized so they were stronger and harder to thrust a sword through. They were often held together loosely by being attached to leather, a cloth, or a chain mail suit. However, they were still not a solid suit of metal plates and a good sword wielder could find vulnerable areas like the throat and under the arms to thrust a sword.

In the 14th century, swordsmiths began making medieval swords with two layers to make them into more efficient thrusting weapons. The inner layer was made to be softer and therefore more flexible so the sword would not break. The outer layer had carbon added to the iron so that it was carbonized into a much harder metal. This outer carbonized layer was essentially a form of steel. This harder metal allowed the edges of the upper third of the blade as well as the tip to be sharper and able to thrust through thicker and harder metal plates.

The longsword, also known as the bastardsword, was the iconic medieval sword used during the late medieval period. It is classified as a Type XIIIa sword under Ewart Oakeshott's system of sword typology. It differs from earlier swords mostly by having a longer hilt for a two-handed grip. However, over the decades of its popularity, other changes were made as well. The most common design in the early 13th century had a blade of between 2 and 3 feet. By the 14th century, the blade on most longswords was between 3 and 4 feet long. The longsword also became considerably thicker in cross-section, thinner in width, and more acutely pointed. Basically, it because a heavier, sturdier, and sharper sword. These changes made the longsword capable of thrusting through the armor that was quickly becoming thicker and stronger. On some longswords, the pommel, the knob on the end of the hilt, became bigger so it could be used to strike an opponent in the head while swinging with the blade.

By the middle of the 14th century, most warriors were outfitted with what was called a "coat of plates" where the plates were attached to cloth or leather to keep them together. However, it wasn't until the first half of the 15th century that a solid suit of metallic armor became common. This was considered the pinnacle of armor making and is what we normally think of when we hear the expression, "knight in shining armor." This culmination of the individual metal plates evolving to a full body suit of metal armor is sometimes called the Maximiian Period. This is the era when we find the strongest sharpest two-handed medieval swords as well.

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