Page 96 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

94 THE CRUSADES curve toward blade Silver

Extended quillons
WMEN 500–1500 Throughout the crusading era (from 1095 to the fall of Acre in 1291), Round pommel ▲ GERMAN SWORD
inlaid cross

the weapons of the knights who formed the crusading elite remained relatively
unchanged. The lance played a crucial part in the shock tactic of the mass charge,
but at close quarters the sword was the crusader knight’s most valuable weapon.
Generally straight and double-edged, it was well adapted for use against mail.
Later it was complemented in the Levant by daggers—considered unchivalrous
Date c.1100
in western Europe—and in the 13th century by axes, flails, and maces.
Length 37in (94cm)
AND BO tapering quillons ▼ FIRST CRUSADE SWORD The massive double-edged blade Origin Northern Europe
This heavy blade was typical of the
swords used in the First and Second
Crusades (1096–99 and 1147–49
of this early 12th-century sword is
Date c.1100
Straight, slightly
respectively). It had a narrow edge,
typical of the weapons that would
Origin Northern Europe
with wide quillons that curved
have been carried by knights on
toward the blade.
KNIGHTS Length 39in (99.5cm) the First Crusade (1096–99).
Oval, conical Fuller almost
reaches point
pommel Double-edged
cutting blade

▶ DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD
Date 1150 –1200
Origin Northern Europe
1
Weight 4 ⁄4lb (1.95kg)
1
Length 32 ⁄4in (82.2cm)
The blade of this heavy cutting sword
was long and had two cutting edges.
Its simple cross-guard, short hilt,
and brazil-nut-shaped pommel are
characteristic of 12th-century swords.
Wide, narrow cross

Fuller tapers
▲ EUROPEAN SWORD ▶ NORTH EUROPEAN SWORD
off near point
Date Early 13th century Date 1280 –1320 Pommel with horn-
Origin Europe Origin Northern Europe like projections
Weight 2 ⁄2lb (1.2kg) Weight 2 ⁄2lb (1.2kg)
1
1
1
Length 3 ⁄4ft (1m) Length 36in (91.4cm)
Common between the 10th and Plate armor became increasingly common
14th centuries, swords known as during the 13th century. As a consequence,
“Type X” generally had wide blades with swords with stiffer, pointed blades, better
a brazil-nut-shaped pommel. They also adapted to thrusting and exposing gaps
had a narrower and longer cross-guard in plate armor, were developed.
than preceding Viking types.

▲ LATE “CRUSADER” SWORD Swords of the late crusading period
Date c.1270–c.1350 typically had a flattened cone-shaped
Gently pommel with slightly curved quillons
curving quillons Origin France and a double-edged blade that tapered
Weight 3lb (1.45kg) to a point. This example bears its maker’s
1
Length 29 ⁄4in (74.5cm) mark some 8in (20cm) up the hilt.