Notes for the Conquest DVD: The Medieval Broadsword
For your quiz, make sure you know the information that has been underlined or put in bold. The other information you should read a few times to remind yourself about it because the information may appear in fill-in-the-blank questions or True/False questions. Also make sure you study the parts of the “European Medieval Sword” handout you were given.
-the medieval broadsword was the classic weapon of the West
-swords were originally made from bronze and iron
-the sword was a symbol of power and religion (the sword was shaped like a Christian cross)
-Vikings were good at using swords
-Vikings first used the broadsword on a grand scale
-Celtic long swords used by Roman officers evolved into the broadsword
-Roman soldiers used a short sword named the Spatha that replaced the earlier gladius short sword
-during the Dark Ages, the sword developed to have a good fuller that made the sword stronger and lighter (the fuller was NOT used to gut an opponent and make it easier for the blood to run out)
-people named their swords
-peasants used the tools they used on their farms as weapons (billhook, flail, etc.)
-one good sword was equal to twelve oxen or fifteen male slaves
-only knights were allowed to have swords
-a sword was for attacking and a shield was used for protection
-long shields were meant to protect greater areas of the body
-a buckler, a small shield, was used for protection
-Gambeson was bulky armor to protect against sword slashes, but not stabs
-a hauberk is a chainmail shirt
-a coif is chainmail that covers your head, neck, and shoulders
-people wore gauntlets to protect their hands
-the cross or guard on the hilt protected one’s hand
-the “Italian grip” was one finger over the cross/guard for greater control
-a dagger was used to protect or attack
-they used the pommel to hit (or “pommel”) an opponent’s face or shield
-using broadswords required more strength than technique
-the “percussion point” is about six inches below the point—this is where you try to hit your opponent
-in competition, three hits equal a win
-the broadsword is “the king of swords” (at least in Europe)
-the broadsword is a combination of an axe (to cut), a club (to crush), a spear (to stab)
-a helmet could be crushed by a heavy blow from a broadsword
-Hollywood sword fights are not accurate—too much parrying, etc.
-too much parrying could cause a sword to break or chip or become dull
CONQUEST DVD: Weird Weapons of the Middle Ages
· The plate-armored knight is basically the medieval tank.
· Plate armor weighed about 60 pounds.
· A claymore is a two-handed sword.
· Chainmail comes from the Latin word “Macula” which means “mesh of the net.”
· Knights had one or more assistants or apprentices called squires or pages.
· A man at arms was a well-armored, fully equipped professional soldier.
· Chainmail came before plate armor.
· To parry is to block or deflect an attack.
1. The falchion is a single edged blade that combined the axe and sword together. It was 24-30 inches long and weighted 5-8 pounds. It cut through mail very well.
2. A thrusting sword was used to pierce through plate armor. It was like a thin broadsword that was made out of strong steel.
3. Wooden clubs were commonly used by peasants.
4. The mace was favored by fighting priests who were not permitted to draw blood. It weighed about two-three kilos.
5. The “dagger of mercy” was to kill people on the ground. If an opponent “cries for mercy,” i.e., to not be killed, the knight could be held for ransom.
6. The flail was originally used to thresh grain. The military flail’s handle was 1-3 feel long and the reach of the weapon was about 2-4 feet. It was basically a ball and chain (“a holy water sprinkler”).
7. A heavy war hammer was also used. Spikes on the hammer that pierced plate armor were called “crow’s beaks.”
8.The Ahlspiess (awl pike) was developed in Germany. It was a kind of long steel spear with a buckler on it that was about 5 feet long and weighed about 9 pounds.
9. The billhook was a widely used pole arm that was 6-8 feet long. Its head had a spike, hook and fluke that were used to thrust, chop, hook, etc.
10. A Godendag was a heavy, spiked club. Flemish peasants used this to say “good day” as they hit people with it.
