Antiques

A question about the emergence of the cruciform sword?

From the Bronze Age to about the 11th century AD most swords used in battle had little or no cross guard at the hilt. But it seems that during the high middle ages in Europe, the cross guard became quite large and you get the cruciform sword. Was the rise of this style of sword a sign of a new type of swordsmanship? I speculate that the extended cross guard added to the overall versatility of the sword. If my speculation is true, what brought about the new fighting techniques associated with this sword? Was it a particular fighting manual or outside influence? Or am I incorrect in my assumption that the cruciform sword was associated with the emergence of a new fighting style?

Besides being able to keep one’s hand from slipping off of a bloody hilt and onto the blade, the quillion (crosspiece) on most medieval swords from the 11th century on were at times considered a religious statement. If you look at Norse swords from, let’s say the 6th century or so, you already have a short quillion, and as the norse invaded Europe, and settled – I.E. the NORMANS (Norse-mans) in Northern France, and then began a long series of invasions and battles throughout europe from Italy to England, they adopted local customs, styles (weapons and clothes) and christianity. During the 11th century, what happed but the crusades. Not only does a longer quillion provide some protecion from the heavy Middle Eastern Scimitars blows, but if inverted becomes your own personal cross; pictures of knights holding thier swords in this worshiping position are quite common in medieval art. The longer quillions also probably helped in combat as sometimes they would be used in impact blows. Every part of a sword could be used in combat; the pommel in blunt impact blows, the blade of course for hacking, slashing and stabbing, and quillions for short hand to hand impacts, usually to the face, resulting in gashing injuries and injuries to the eye.
Probably the biggest reason for this emergence of a new battle style and sword design from a Roman Style is a completely different style of fighting. Romans had a VERY strict, organized style of combat, where a sword was used in close quarters as more of a short spear, in a stabbing motion, while still being protected by your/your partner’s shields. Medieval battles often tried to be organized, but when it came down to it, soldiers often ended up looking out for thier own skin, and that means more personal combat, and less mass body combat like the greeks or romans. There is also the fact that swords were not the lead weapon in combat, and could have a bit more in the ceremonial department. Lances / spears were often the first weapons in combat, followed by usually axes or hammers/ maces. They did far, far more damage, and were FAR cheaper to replace and make than swords. This difference in combat styles also influenced shield development, in going from a curved, interlocking shield of the romans (Which modern riot police use) to personal shields such as the round bucklers, the norman teardrop shields, and the heater shields that look like irons.

The world-famous bronze sword-1

Sword Mug in Bronze 24 ounce $25.95 Click on picture for larger view of piece! Each elaborately made Sword Mug has great detail and a stunning background glaze color. Available in several background glazes (Click Same Artist Pieces) and a number of related mugs (castle, knights,dragons etc.). Each mug holds about 20 ounces (large), 6 inches tall by 3 and 1/2 inches in diameter. Each piece is a handmade slip cast from our artist’s or…

FoodSaver GameSaver Bronze Vacuum Packaging System $165.02 Robustly sized unit Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity pattern Easy to clean touchpad controls Built-in roll storage and cutter Accessory hose port Two speed settings Adjustable food setting Easy-lock latch Removable drip tray Extra-wide sealing strip Flips up vertically for compact storage One 11 inch x 10 foot roll One 8 inch x 10 foot roll Five 1-quart bags Five 1-gallon bags One Accessory hose…

The Avenger, 1914 (bronze) by Ernst Barlach – 3×2 inch Fridge Magnet – large magnetic button – Magnet $4.99 Rectangular wrap-around refrigerator magnet and a glossy mylar cover.Large 2×3 inch rectangle fridge magnet or ‘buttons’ as they are sometimes known in the USA.Crop shown is automated for display purposes only. All magnets are hand finished and the best most appropriate crop will always be selected to best show the full image. Therefore, actual product may vary slightly from crop shown – this can …

Wu-Tang Meets Indie Culture $11.95 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed….

Light Cavalry $16.99 …

Sword Prop $7.99 Sword – Plastic sword with realistic chrome look blade. Bronze-look handle with black plastic sheath. 27 inches long.

Pirate Sword $18.99 Rough look rustic pirate sword is realistic and perfect for any pirate costume. Made of molded plastic, the blade has a hammered look. Unpolished bronze handle has a Spanish influence. Measures 28.5 inches long.

The Book of the Sword $48.09 As the sotermed founding of Rome took place during the early Iron Age of Southern Europe, it is probable that the citizens, like their predecessors the Etruscans, originally made their blades of copper and bronze, the leafshape being borrowed from the Greeks, as we see it retained by the gladiators. The material would last into the Age of Steel, but even in her early years Rome must have preferred the harder metal. Pliny expressly tells us that Porsena, after his shortlived conquest, prohibited the future masters of the world from using iron except in agriculture… from Chapter XII: The Sword in Ancient Rome; The Legion and the Gladiator Notorious for his global exploitsnot to mention his unexpurgated translations of The Arabian Nights and the Kama SutraBritish adventurer and author CAPTAIN SIR RICHARD FRANCIS BURTON (18211890) was also a soldier and an aficionado of fencing, which is surely how he came about his interest in the sword. The history of the sword is the history of humanity, Burton declares in his introduction to this classic 1884 survey of the weapon, and then goes on to explore that noble history through: the origin of weapons the ages of wood, bone, and horn copper weapons bronze and brass axes and swords the sword in ancient Egypt the sword in Babylonia, Persia, and ancient India the sword in ancient Greece the sword in ancient Rome and much more Profusely illustrated with beautifully detailed line drawings, this is an essential reference for anyone interested in the history of weaponry. Author: Burton, Sir Richard F. Binding Type: Hardcover Number of Pages: 340 Publication Date: 2008/12/01 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.87 inches

The Sword of the Spirit – Framed Art $27.99 “>>Verse:> > >The Sword of the Spirit- For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing even to the division of soul and spirit…Hebrews 4:12>>>>> >>Dimensional mat opening features a brass sword embellishment resting on a powerful sword art image.>>>>>>> >>>Product Details>>>>>>Dimensions: 13”(L) X 7”(W)>Frame: Antiqued Bronze >>”

Royal Sword Prop $28.99 Unique and elegantly styled sword is impressive – fancy handle and substantial blade make it the perfect match for royalty. Made of specially designed plastic, this sword measures 41 inches high. Gold, bronze, and dark tones. This is also a great World of

The Horse and the Sword $27.37 An Exploration Of The Bronze Age, Specifically The Transition From The Middle To Late Bronze Age. Author: Peake, Harold/ Fleure, Herber John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 164 Publication Date: 2010/09/10 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.35 inches

Sword $9.69 King’s Sword A royal sword fit for a king or knight! Includes: A gold hard plastic sword. Measures 23″ in length.

Lazer Sword $131.24 Lazer Sword

Ninja Sword $7.99 Ninja Sword

$3.49 shipped–$3.14 shipped–Delicate Cowhide & Bronze Sword in Skeleton Design Necklace $3.49 This necklace has unique and stylish design.

17 inch Wood Grain Dragon Sword $55.99 Product Measurements: 17.25x 2.75x 1. This item will ship in approximately 2 business days.

17 inch Wood Grain Dragon Sword $34.15 Never before replicated in miniature size scale, Marto of Toledo, Spain has recreated the Fighting Sword of Crateros. Crateros, one of Alexander’s noble soldiers and leader of many battles for Macedonia fought with great honor in Alexander’s army. Every detail was captured in creating this exception recreation of the sword used in battle by Crateros in the big screen epic, ALEXANDERR. The master sword smiths have created this masterpiece to draw attention to incredible assortment of weapons used by the soldiers of Alexander the Great. Available in Silver or Bronze. This miniature measures a stunning 17.25 inches in length and includes a secondary replica measuring 7 inches in length that fits in a side sheath along the scabbard.

Age of Empires Series – Age of Empires: Academy, Age, Age of Empires Series, Alligator, Alligator King, Amazonia, Ancient Egyptian Learning Campaign, Archers, Archery Range, Architecture, Armored Elephant, Artifact, Assyrian, Attack, Axeman, Babylonians, $23.99 Used – Source: Wikia. Pages: 62. Chapters: Academy, Age, Age of Empires Series, Alligator, Alligator King, Amazonia, Ancient Egyptian Learning Campaign, Archers, Archery Range, Architecture, Armored Elephant, Artifact, Assyrian, Attack, Axeman, Babylonians, Ballista, Ballistics, Barracks, Berry Bush, Big Bertha, Birds, Black Rider, Blitzkrieg, Bowman, Broad Sword, Broad Swordsman, Bronze Age, Bronze Shield, Buildings, Camel Rider, Campaign, Campaign Editor, Carthaginians, Cataphract, Catapult, C

Age of Empires Series – Age of Empires: Academy, Age, Age of Empires Series, Alligator, Alligator King, Amazonia, Ancient Egyptian Learning Campaign, Archers, Archery Range, Architecture, Armored Elephant, Artifact, Assyrian, Attack, Axeman, Babylonians, $15.64 Used – Source: Wikia. Pages: 62. Chapters: Academy, Age, Age of Empires Series, Alligator, Alligator King, Amazonia, Ancient Egyptian Learning Campaign, Archers, Archery Range, Architecture, Armored Elephant, Artifact, Assyrian, Attack, Axeman, Babylonians, Ballista, Ballistics, Barracks, Berry Bush, Big Bertha, Birds, Black Rider, Blitzkrieg, Bowman, Broad Sword, Broad Swordsman, Bronze Age, Bronze Shield, Buildings, Camel Rider, Campaign, Campaign Editor, Carthaginians, Cataphract, Catapult, C

Anatolian Iron Ages (2) $22.98 New – The Proceedings of the Second Anatolian Iron Ages Colloquium held at Izmir in May 1987. Contents are: tin deposits in Anatolia (O Belli); pottery from Koskerbaba Hoyuk (O Bilgi); Early Iron Age at Dilkaya (A Cilingiroglu); a Luristan sword with proto-Arabic inscription (H Lassen, V F Buchwald); glass in the Iron Age (C S Lightfoot); manufacture of a Urartian bronze candelabrum of King Menua (R Merhav, A Ruder); southwestward expansion of Urartu (V Sevin); close affinity beteen languages of

Anatolian Iron Ages (2) $18.75 New – The Proceedings of the Second Anatolian Iron Ages Colloquium held at Izmir in May 1987. Contents are: tin deposits in Anatolia (O Belli); pottery from Koskerbaba Hoyuk (O Bilgi); Early Iron Age at Dilkaya (A Cilingiroglu); a Luristan sword with proto-Arabic inscription (H Lassen, V F Buchwald); glass in the Iron Age (C S Lightfoot); manufacture of a Urartian bronze candelabrum of King Menua (R Merhav, A Ruder); southwestward expansion of Urartu (V Sevin); close affinity beteen languages of

Ancient Near East Weapons: Iron Age Sword, Bronze Age Sword, Acinaces, Khopesh $11.86 New – Chapters: Iron Age Sword, Bronze Age Sword, Acinaces, Khopesh. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 25. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher’s book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Swords made of iron (as opposed to bronze) appear from the Early Iron Age (ca. 12th century BC), but do not become widespread before the 8th century BC. Early iron swords were not comparable to later steel blades. T

Ancient Near East Weapons: Iron Age Sword, Bronze Age Sword, Acinaces, Khopesh $11.79 New – Chapters: Iron Age Sword, Bronze Age Sword, Acinaces, Khopesh. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 25. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher’s book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Swords made of iron (as opposed to bronze) appear from the Early Iron Age (ca. 12th century BC), but do not become widespread before the 8th century BC. Early iron swords were not comparable to later steel blades. T

Archaeological Artefact Types: Knife, Chariot, Arrow, Lithic Flake, Stone Tool, Adze, Lithic Core, Hammerstone, Sherd, Projectile Point $20.06 Used – Chapters: Knife, Chariot, Arrow, Lithic flake, Stone tool, Adze, Lithic core, Hammerstone, Sherd, Projectile point, Fire-cracked rock, Grinding slab, Prismatic blade, Petrosomatoglyph, Fibula, Axe, Drinking horn, Oxhide ingot, Mjollnir, Venus figurines, Golden hat, Carved Stone Balls, Quern-stone, Ostracon, Atlatl, Prepared-core technique, Wish Tree, Votive offering, Cylinder seal, Jiroft culture, Tamga, Baton de commandement, Rhyton, Hand axe, Bronze Age sword, Torc, Cupstone, Clovis poi