We often make the mistake of underestimating the intelligence of our ancestors and see them as primitive beings because the weapons they used. Medieval swords are examples of this. At fist glance they seem crude and primitive, but on closer examination we find that they were actually well designed and effective fighting tools.
This sword seems too long and therefore clumsy and awkward too handle. Yet, the basic idea behind this weapon is one that still holds true. The more distance there is between you and your enemy, the safer you are.
Some swords were extremely heavy and needed two hands to wield them. These were rare. A good swordsman preferred to thrust his weapon while fighting at least fifteen feet away from his enemy. This meant that he had a better chance of surviving the battle.
As armor improved, so did the quality and characteristics of the sword. Tapered blades became more commonplace as they could penetrate the protective armor worn by the opponent. At the same time the weapon became sturdier and stronger. In those days it was expensive to make a sword. It had to last for far longer than just a single battle. The best quality steel was essential to ensure that.
The sword became a symbol of status because of its value and effectiveness. People of noble birth were usually the owners of these weapons. The ordinary soldiers had to make do with inferior fighting tools. Interesting is that a lot of these weapons were engraved, sometimes bearing the owners name or other information. This weapon was also used for fencing and dueling.
One of the reasons for the high cost of medieval swords was their quality. It had to be made of very strong steel. A long blade can easily break in a combat situation if made from inferior materials. At the time a broken sword spelt disaster. In fact the symbol of death was the broken sword.
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