Medieval swords: How are different types of sword used?

[@firefistx7477]

"It goes in the eye sockets, the armpit and the groin" *happy ukelele song*

[@mrfahrenheit3867]

I'm tap my foot to that tune

[@sharonr2121]

Mr Fahrenheit, hallo! Although this is unrelated to the topic of your comment, God loves you, and He died for you as Jesus Christ! Please turn entirely to Him while you still can, because time is running out, but don’t be afraid! Have a good day!

[@billygunn7180]

I hate when that happens.

[@DaCoolCrushIceKillah]

Happy medieval jazz starts again ;) .

[@rigohook1160]

🤣😂

[@joshmaddy007]

Also the fact swords could be worn easily and comfortably in daily life would give them lots of utility. Akin to wearing a pistol vs carrying a heavy cumbersome rifle around. Awesome channel, unbelievable production value my goodness! It's a crime there are so few subs!

[@vanivanov9571]

Excellent backup weapon, and excellent self-defence weapon. Just like a pistol.

[@dr.izzy01]

I second that. I carry one on the daily and I can even extend it up to 8 inches during “tight” situations 😉

[@leighjordine4031]

@@dr.izzy01 that sounds like a short sword

[@dr.izzy01]

Leigh Jordine Short but effective.

[@alemz_music]

@@leighjordine4031 Greatest comment ever

[@placeholdername3206]

No idea how this doesnt have more subs or views. Top notch production quality, top bloke, interesting subjects.

[@rantingtheverse008]

I think it's because people don't like history at all sad....

[@scarletpimpernelagain9124]

Placeholder Name People seem to prefer fantasy instead of the real and often more interesting history the fantasy is based on.

[@PoeCompany]

i found it years ago, left it for some time, and now i am back. Also finally subscribed!

[@cootsyuk7889]

Probably because it tells us almost nothing about different types of swords or how they were used!

[@placeholdername3206]

@@cootsyuk7889 Yeah, except when I made that comment a year ago, the channel has gained over 500k subs

[@brandonfoley7519]

This guy is just so positive and passionate about all things medieval it's contagious

[@LeatherCladVegan]

Just like COVID-19.

[@crashpeperami7130]

He’s kinda inspired me to take medieval history in uni.

[@cubbykovu8955]

I like how you admit there is possibility of being wrong :) thats very humble a knightly quality indeed

[@eylab1541]

Welcome to science.

[@bobito8997]

I think the thing that distinguishes a sword from other weapons and perhaps gives it much of it's status is that, unlike pole arms, bows, axes etc, you can wear it rather than carry it. A knight could wear his sword away from the battlefield, out of armour, and it would display his status.

[@crazy-wy8xn]

I love your videos, I have always loved history and your videos show that medieval battles were more brutal than a movie could ever be made

[@IntrusiveThot420]

Stuart Long you know, if you ever want to see very realistic dueling, check out "The Duelists" by Ridley Scott (of Alien fame!). It's a quite good movie and the sword duels are EXTREMELY realistic.

[@Roblstar]

I am sure that you have heard this before... But I am so impressed with your understanding of the real basics, regarding everything that you talk about... Rush lights... etc... Most have heard of them, but that was so interesting... Please keep them coming. Thank you

[@aplindop]

Say hi if you just found this channel and loving it

[@putnamehereholdmadoodle]

Hi

[@putnamehereholdmadoodle]

I finger my bum then my wife walked in so I changed the movie to KZbin and it was this guy now I'm subbed and so glad I was almost caught with my finger up my bum

[@barryirlandi4217]

I'm amazed I didn't find it earlier

[@bushy8421]

Hi

[@flee4342]

Hi

[@istvansipos9940]

+ knights kept their swords because many of their enemies were not in full plate armour. swords were also weapons of personal protection in non-battle situation where the enemy, even if he could afford full plate armour, was not telegraphing his evil ambush plans by wearing it.

[@DzinkyDzink]

"Why are people staring at me? Don't Burgundians wear full plate when they go around their town buisiness?" - fantasy rpg character.

[@Οδοιπόρος]

Perhaps also useful to keep handy for disciplinary action if it should be needed.

[@maybecannoteatbyahu]

@@DzinkyDzink so now mount and blade 2 don't allow you to do like that in city's quest. no def no shield just decorated sword

[@kurokaze511]

to anybody who says anything about historical records of katanas cutting though samurai armour to justify swords in combat remember that for a very long time samurai wore lacquered wood scale armour.

[@TheAlhouk57]

People also need to remember that the Japanese folded katana thousands of times because their steel was horrible

[@JackSilver1410]

@@TheAlhouk57 Tell me you're fucking joking...

[@jlogan2228]

@@TheAlhouk57 no, they folded it 8-20 times max bc by the time you get past 20 fold's the carbon becomes way to difused and it serves no purpose bc by then you have a homogenous billet. They were aware of this. They may have done 1000 layers by folding 10 layers of the steel ten times but the whole "folding thousands of times" I a myth. Additionally just in time investment folding it that many times would mean one single sword would take at least a year to make just on the billet of steel not including the months of refining work polishing fittings and other things.

[@astralpigeon1844]

Samurai used iron armor, they didn't use wood for armor that's a myth. Katana couldn't cut through it either way, samurai hardly ever used katana in real battles, they would use their bows or naginata, tetsubo, or spear

[@CynicalOldDwarf]

Some of you people need to learn what a hyperbole is...

[@KatieGimple]

One reason for the sword's continued use is that for the same weight, you can get a significantly longer sword than ax or mace, so for a sidearm, you want to have as much reach as possible while still being light enough to wield with one hand (so that you can hold a shield or grapple with the other hand).

[@Moon-And-Star3E427]

Me: Aagh, I'm tired, I should probably leave the Internet for now... KZbin: How Are Different Types of Sword Used? Me: YEs

[@icaromendes1250]

This guy talks with so much calm and love for the subject. Please just give him a tv show!

[@jaykay6222]

I love swords, and as much as the unrealistic side of me loves Cloud style buster swords, as far as realistic swords go, the hand and a half/bastard sword is probably my favorite weapon. I just really like the concept of the utility it possesses by being designed to be capable of being wielded with one OR two hands.

[@ultrixcrucesignatus1261]

A full length longsword grip feels more nimble to me. It gives you a huge advantage in two hands, and makes it much easier to pull off certain maneuvers. I don't practice with shields or bucklers though, so I've almost always got both hands on my weapon. It is possible to use a full size longsword in one hand, but usually you'd only drop the off hand for grappling, or when adjusting for a half-sword grip. I think if you really value one handed use, an arming sword would still be the way to go. It seems to me the hand and a half swords were popular less for their handling aspects, and more because the shorter grip was more manageable on horseback. As well as being less cumbersome for day to day carry.

[@broshmosh]

The optional grip style comes entirely from the length of the handle, not the blade. As explained in the video, bastard sword has lots of limitations and the era it came from means it was never really used for slashing, effectively making it a heavy-duty rapier. You could put a long handle on many decent length blades.

[@Modighen]

I made a waster with a "blade" about 6" longer, and I found with just that little extra it was awkward to wear and draw. They were certainly popular, though, and I believe that bastard swords were for those who liked using a two hander for the leverage, but also wanted portability and were willing to sacrifice the advantages of the extra reach. Especially off the battlefield when people weren't so likely to be armored.

[@yammorin7011]

Mine is probably the sabre because its light and easy to wield around

[@obituaryollie9104]

@@yammorin7011 I'm more of a Khopesh man myself, but for similar reasons.

[@artbrutgamesmith6176]

Wow, your channel is amazing! The thought occurred that one additional reason for the sword being promenant dispite it's weakness against plate armor could be that it remained effective against lesser forms of armor that may have been prevelent or more prevelent at points in time among non knight fighting men. The social effect of a noble weapon to be feared by all but another knight would be worth cobsidering as well.

[@petertimowreef9085]

I feel a crucial part of the symbology surrounding a sword is that swords are used exclusively to kill people. Spears and bows can be used during hunting and axes and hammers are just modified versions of tools we've been using since the stone age. But when you saw a dude that invested the substantial ammount a sword costs, purely to kill humans, you know they are someone to look out for.

[@au-contraire]

Amazing series. I am quite taken by your mention of the battle of Grunwald. It's a nice gesture. The victory in this battle is celebrated by massive reenactments taking place every year. The story is that on that day the Polish king hesitated to accept the battle so to allow the sun to tire the heavily armed Teutonian host. The Teutons had dug out pits and tried to provoke the king into a fight by sending these two swords with a slight that he can use the weapons to arm himself, to which they heard a response that 'we have enough of swords, but we will also accept these two'. Basically, the king kept his cool and let the battle play out the way he wanted it. Ironically, the Teutonic Knights suffered high losses because they allowed themselves to be taunted into following a retreating light Lithuanian cavalry and horse archers, which was a planned maneuver. The annual celebrations are full of historical flavour, with medieval village and ceremonies performed in Latin. Here you can find more about them: www.grunwald1410.pl/index.php?cat=2

[@Wateringman]

The Grunwald website you gave is in bloody Polish....😠

[@KatonRyu]

Stick them with the pointy end, basically. Loving these videos.

[@marcusaurelius1138]

This is an amazing channel! And as a Pole I was very glad to hear this anecdote, thank you Jason for all these videos and for your knowledge and love of history

[@gregmano427]

Just discovered this channel. It's my new favorite. I'm fascinated by the medieval period.

[@ModernKnight]

Thanks.

[@YourTechBucketToday]

Half-Sword, Jason! Half-Sword! Use it like a Short Spear! Stick em' in the squishy bits!

[@YourTechBucketToday]

Like this: www.swordsmanship.ca/academy-articles/armour-hand-fighting/

[@jasonkingsley2762]

Half swording is good, assuming you take pietro montes advice and have maille on your left palm! If possible I’d prefer a pollaxe.

[@vanivanov9571]

@@jasonkingsley2762 EVERYONE prefers a pollaxe! Pollaxe for president! And yeah, I'd prefer a mailed glove. A razor-sharp blade should not be gripped.

[@TheRdamterror]

or use the back part as a hamer or hook to pull or screw of the pummel and trow it :)

[@aaronaxel4760]

@@jasonkingsley2762, watch Skallagrim's video on halfswording. He makes a very compelling case that you don't need gloves at all if you hold it properly.

[@homerwood502]

Thank you for making these, I can't stop watching them.

[@larynx83]

Man I LOVE that channel. I wish you had like 1 million subs!!!

[@lonesnip3rwolf]

The sword was extremely effective during early to mid medieval times but as soon as heavy plate became a common sight on the battlefield it became vastly less effective. Although in the hands of a master it was still deadly no matter how heavily armoured someone was.

[@careyfreeman5056]

Wouldn't Edward III have used a sword? When does plate over mail come in? 14th Century?

[@assassin999j]

The battle of Grunwald was a little more complex, but all in all great video. Loved it.

[@daviddenaldi816]

I typically watch your videos twice- once to get the information and then once to look at all the cool stuff going on at your lovely farm!!! It is fantastic!!!

[@drachenfes]

About the two swords that the knights of teutonic order gave to polish king Władysław Jagiełło- I think they have messed that story up a bit. First of all, they were given as a symbol that teutonic knights as christians are allowed by Jesus to defend themself (based on story that Jesus allowed the apostles to buy 1 sword). The part of the insult might be added by a polish writer, written by Sienkiewicz, who wrote quite a few nice historical novels, but they were not that acurate. Teutonic knights were not taken by suprise, and this swords were kept and used on coronation ceremonies but as a symbol of polish and lithuanian commonwelth, not as a crowning sword (which was Szczerbiec, the sword that was owned by Bolesław Chrobry, 1st king of Poland).

[@Drewkas0]

Why would the Teutonic Knights need to send a symbol that they were allowed to defend themselves? It was well understood that the Teutonic Order was a militaristic force, and at that point prior to the battle of Grunwald, it was clear they were going to put up a fight. But I think you’re right that the Teutonic Knights were not taken by surprise. According to the Wikipedia article, the knights sent the swords to goad the enemy into attacking because the knights felt it advantageous to hold a defensive position. I admit Wikipedia isn’t by any means the best source, but the insult idea seems to make sense.

[@drachenfes]

@@Drewkas0 The custom of passing the sword to the enemy before the fight was way before battle of Grunwald, but this case was clearly related to Jesus passing to swords to his apostles, which meant "you can defend yourself, but you're not alloved to attack" (something like that, english is not my native language). Teutonic knights could not attack other christians (in theory), so they could not attack polish kingdom (in theory). The day of battle of Grunwald was "the day 61- Jesus sends out his 12 apostles" in christians church. They related probably to this part of Bible, and thats why there were exactly 2 swords.

[@Drewkas0]

Interesting. Thanks for the insight!

[@drachenfes]

@@Drewkas0 well, In first comment I put it a little bit bad- the herolds of course were offending polish king Władysław, but the swords itself were not for insult as I wrote above, this interpretation comes from polish chronicles (Jan Długosz) and than from polish novel "Krzyżacy" written by Sienkiewicz. But the story about this war and battle is very interesting actually, with huge "ponton" bridge build, guys like Jan Żiżka from Czech or polish hero Zawisza Czarny fighting...

[@WielkaStopa-qh1rr]

@@drachenfes brzmi bezsensownie

[@JS-vo4kv]

You are going too boom my friend, keep up this brilliant content!

[@Supertomiman]

Swords were like modern day handguns, and spears/polearms were like assault rifles. Your primary weapon of war is the assault rifle, but you'll still carry a good handgun just in case.

[@LucidLivingYT]

Supertomiman And just like most peasants (enlisted personnel) will only have a spear/rifle, only knights/important personnel will have sidearms.

[@no_nameyouknow]

It's super effective against peasants though.

[@eddierudolph7694]

@@LucidLivingYT and in modern warfare not everyone is issued a sidearm today.

[@bartvanriel6767]

You sir, stole my comment.

[@italiantraditionalcatholic2390]

Ar-15..is NOT an assault rifle!

[@aaronconnell2152]

These are soo good and informative. I was on tours and seen re-enactors give medieval weapon demonstrations to groups at Trim Castle, I wish they were half as interesting as these videos.

[@thepipejunkie8359]

Jason: swords were not as effective in later periods Mad Jack Churchill: wanna bet?

[@visionist7]

Tell that to the WW2 Japanese

[@CrniWuk]

@Wakanakapisi Hello That guy also killed Germans with his back pipe.

[@jerryhu3470]

​@@visionist7 But people stopped wearing armor after Napoleon. Swords became effective again, if you can survive their bullets.

[@viktorsilva4017]

"hold my rifle"

[@AZTigerMMA]

Caleb Higgins haha I forgot that ...but only for a moment !!!

[@ChipsDeluxe]

I love this channel first of all. As many have said the sword was often used, I think, as a weapon off the battlefield as a means of self-defense when opponents were in nothing but clothing in situations such as a duel or street fight.

[@goten259]

This series is amazing and has really contributed to my appreciation of european history. Thank you!

[@dontwashyourasswednesdaysn1209]

I can't stop watching. Pollaxes are my new favourite

[@laszlovincze82]

Finally a channel what shares knowledge and culture. Quality videos. Big LIKE !

[@YellowTissueBox]

man ive never been into this stuff before but because of this channel I cant get enough just binging it!

[@cardiacade]

Fascinating as always.

[@einsjam]

This is the sort of stuff I had been looking for on KZbin for ages!!! Subbed!!!

[@geomondiale1768]

Very informative, I appreciate the narration of real life history rather than Hollywood interpretation

[@vanivanov9571]

His points on swords were a bit worse than Hollywood, actually. Guns made swords MORE useful on battlefields, as armour started to fade out. They were used up to world war 1.

[@lauragovernali4332]

I love this guy - his knowledge and passion are just a joy 💖

[@ModernKnight]

Thanks for watching

[@lauragovernali4332]

Always a pleasure!

[@SteveV74]

In all seriousness I Love this guy, would love to meet and learn from him, the episode about what peasants ate mad me super hungry ! Lol

[@bartzalewski8067]

Thank you Sir, love your videos!

[@GaryMcKinnonUFO]

That was great, thanks. The sword will never die, it's an eternal symbol.

[@riyall298]

I confirm that the history of the two swords from Grunwald is still well known in Poland, and the symbol is used on medals, banners and in the coat of arms of the commune of Grunwald.

[@mouija1450]

That first weapon looks like the falchion from hell. Wow. No frills, all kills. I've certainly seen long sword techniques where the blade is grasped (with gauntlets of course) and choked up on to use for close quarters thrusting and also reversed techniques where the quillion ends were used as a bashing tool. Certainly not as effective as a mace or warhammer, but definitely inventive and better than nothing against a plate helmet. I have a hard time believing that military picks were actually good weapons. They look outrageously wicked, very intimidating and certainly effective, but what happened when you got your pick stuck in a plate helmet, a shield or lodged in bone? You have the advantage of leverage and kinetic energy to place a devastating blow, but don't have the same pulling force as a spear or thrusting weapon to extract the weapon. It's just a small muscle group you're using to pull it out, especially if used on horseback. If you're facing one foe at a time, you can stop and wiggle the pick out of hard material, but in a warfare scenario it seems detrimental.

[@broshmosh]

Are you a Skallagrim viewer, perhaps? :P

[@vanivanov9571]

Bec-de-corbin is better. Generally, I'd use the hammer side whenever possible, and only swap to the pick-side when against someone very well armoured. Something to consider is, if you kill two people and have a weapon failure, you're still winning. Also, just go to your sword, or get support from your squires and friends, until you get a chance to regain the weapon or retreat and rearm?

[@zoesmith7612]

You don't have to wear gloves, I've done it bare handed with sharp swords. Grip is the key.

[@Modighen]

I believe the hammer end is for those times you're worried about getting the piercing side stuck in someone's skull. It may not cause the same fatal injury, but you can still deliver some pretty nasty concussive force to a person's skull, as the padding and harness under a helmet can only be effective to a certain point. Especially when you have the momentum of a moving horse to add to it.

[@mouija1450]

@@Modighen Oh, I'm sure a hammer will do the job just fine. Prehistoric men had no problem killing each other with stones and wooden clubs.

[@lyrieladuial4901]

Great Video. However i think we should keep in Mind that, as Armor was Pushed back by guns and the corresponding economical repurcations, the Sword actually became a main weapon ( one might say, for the first time) for Cavalrymen. I am referring to the kind of Cavalry you see in the Napoleonic wars up until world war 1. After all, it was allways a nimble and deadly weapon, just didn't go through armor.

[@satu4387]

In Finland a sword is a part of formal attire in a PhD graduation ceremony today. There are two blade lengths available: shorter (71 cm) for people under 175 cm or longer (81 cm) for people over 175 cm. The blades are gilded with 24 carat gold. Needless to say, they are always a talking point when graduation ceremonies are brought up. The sword is a symbol of a scientist’s fight for truth and goodness, born of rigorous research.

[@zsolt487]

Amazing series, man! Thnaks for sharing your expirence and knowledge with us! 🤘

[@woelbier]

From what I learned from this channel, could you maybe draw a wild comparison to a whip? I mean, since the sword was not that useful in battle, because of different armours, its "target audience" could have been the peasentry in a non battle situation. Not even to be used actively on them but to be seen. As you might want to put it, to remind everyone of the ruling power structure. Love this channel btw!

[@zsozso411]

Love history! Happy to have found this!

[@Benniemilo]

What is important to note here is that although swords might have become less and less useful on the battlefield as armour tech was developed, it still served as a perfect sidearm for civilian situations, just like nowadays in countries that still allow people to carry guns - noone normal is conducting their daily bussniess, walking around town with an assault rifle. You generally always would go for a pistol, cause it's more convenint to carry. So the idea of a sidearm to protect yourself from some brigands or such would mean that a sword is still in use by people, even though you might not want your life to depend on it in battle.

[@TheCrimsonAtom]

Exactly, also swords lost their use the late Medieval and Renaissance but were very prominent in the ages later, as volleys of rifles shot but eventually when they ran out of ammo or closed in they went with swords, also hussars which are fast riders carrying swords were extremely popular and very good against soldiers in fancy coats.

[@mortache]

@@TheCrimsonAtom since armor was becoming useless compared to its price and weight because of guns, slashing swords like the saber rose back to prominence

[@mortache]

@Wakanakapisi Hello rapier is excellent for one on one duels, though i think they're big and clunky to carry around which is probably why armies switched to cutlasses and sabers and other short swords in later centuries

[@Riceball01]

@@mortache I'd argue that it was more the cost of equipping a standing army with armor became the main factor for the decline of armor more than guns. Think of it, during the Medieval and Renaissance period (and before) war was a come as you are affair. If you went to war as a professional soldier you were expected to have your own weapons and armor already, if you were a peasant conscript your lord might provide you with some sort of polearm or arrows if you're an archer but anything else you were expected to provide for yourself out of your own pocket. But once standing armies started to come about you now had to arm, pay, feed, clothe, and house your soldiers 24/7 for as long as they serve, that's a good bit of money, add armor to the mix then it starts to become prohibitively expensive since armor isn't cheap.

[@S3l3ct1ve]

@@Riceball01 Not really that, the main point was that the tactics of the war changed greatly. Mobility became one of the most important factors on the field, and heavy armor lost its purpose because of the lack of mobility and also against guns it became quite pointless, canons for example... But mobility was the main issue, because when the war is being fought through the long range, the army that gets in the better position first, will win the battle.

[@BillyTheBigKid82]

"It goes in the groin." I felt that...

[@Kevo_1634]

Great video...seems like the sword functioned as status symbol, backup weapon in cqb, and every day carry. Sort of like a “handgun/pistol”

[@simonpeter5032]

This is a great channel, subbed.

[@ModernKnight]

Thanks

[@orangutank626]

Another well educated and established video!

[@DarkBullet17]

Correct me if I am wrong, but as far as I know about the battle of Grunwald (1410), the Polish king ordered his army to be ready for the battle at around 4 a.m., so they could take comfortable positions, hidden in the shadow of the trees. The teutonic knights were standing on the battlefield, fully equiped with their armors, under the sun. It was 15th of July, so you can only imagine how hot it was in full armor. In the video you say the polish army attacked, but as far as I know, Ulrich von Jungingen was the one who gave the attack order, because his army was suffering from the heat. Just wanted to clarify that or like I said, correct me if I am wrong ;)

[@ionacjohnj.59]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. 👍

[@HiddenTigerObviNinja]

How does this channel have so little subs? The production quality and content are really great.

[@jaygibson1]

love love love this channel!

[@Chillton]

Supposedly, according to a chronicler, the thing about those two swords was that polish King was holding his troops at ready but not attacking, keeping Teutonic nights in the open field of Grunwald in blazing summer sun, while keeping light Lithuaninan and Tatar cavalry ready in nearby woods. The insult was, that the swords were presented to him unsheathed, ready for battle to encourage him to start the attack, as he seemed to be insecure, but he was just waiting for them to get impatient and sluggish in that July heat.

[@optimisticchaos2616]

I would just love to work on this channel or have a pint with this man and discuss medieval warfare

[@magdahearne497]

Great vid... I love this series it's so informative, I'm hooked 😄 I have a mini replica of the Polish coronation sword, my uncles gave it to my dad the first time we went to Poland in 1966, it was dad's first visit home after the war..I'll be passing the sword down to my son 😄😎

[@thelateknightshow3779]

Love the video. Production quality is top notch. I think the title is a bit misleading.

[@ajshim]

Ahh my favorite part of Medieval history.

[@mereanochheart7050]

Alot of duels were fought with the arming sword. That was another use for it and part of why it's the "quintessential knight sword". Also it was worn in everyday life, unarmored, virtually everywhere a Knight went so it was a highly visible status symbol

[@homemadehistory7537]

To use only a sword in batle is like drivin a porsche 911 to a offroad track, but the bad thing on most rough weapons is that they are slow in use. The one and a half handed sword is a nice choice. It is very versatile. Its useable on one or two hand like you told but it is perfect for close quater combat sa well. With onehand on the blade and right on the hilt it is very effective and the crossguard and pommel a weapons as well......Like Thalhofer mentioned its ooooh not friendly....Your videos are realy nice and very profesional. It would be nice to have them more frequently....👍😁

[@dashiellharrison4070]

Swords are the type of thing we see in movies and television... also in period artwork, fencing treatises, and weapons ownership laws. The sword as a status symbol holds true in the Early Medieval Period, but in the Late Middle Ages they were ubiquitous among middle-class soldiers. Burgundian statutes from the 15th century specified that archers should carry a two-handed sword, Scottish laws from the same period dictated that anyone who owned ten or more pounds in goods needed a sword, the muster roll of one French garrison town recorded that nearly every man in the militia owned a sword, the list goes on. While swords didn't account for as many casualties on historical battlefields as they do in modern pop culture, they seem to have remained very important weapons for every day soldiers, and were probably a much more common sight on the hip of the medieval infantryman than the pistol is for his modern counterpart.

[@AnthonySforza]

I'm reminded of learning about how the Katana wasn't the preferred weapon on the battlefields in Japan, either. Whereas the realization is that if you're able to cut someone down two or three feet away from you, with one (Or a tachi), that you're already in a bit of a bind because your opponent is only two or three feet away from you.

[@RamblingRecruiter]

I've always heard that the Falchron was the back-up weapon of archers. When the range got down to knife fighting distance, they put the bow down and started slashing with their Falchron.

[@ronangeoghegan7641]

You didn't want me fighting and now look at me.standing up to evil isn't the same as sowing its seeds,you did what was right

[@Gongasoso]

Swords were used for self-defense and status. In truth, what defined "sword" back then was hilt construction and double-edgeness. The German Masser was a way to go over every law concerning swords, since it was essentially a big knife with a guard.

[@joeknow3712]

The swords of pride and violence, then used for coronations, wow, what a way of salting the wound.

[@AverageJoe3]

Don't forget about half-swording technique. They held the sword by its blade and used the handle and guard as a mace. It was a common technique of fighting with a sword against armoured oponent. Few hits to the helmet could cause a severe concussion and then be more easily stabbed into to opened parts of the armor.

[@kentallard8852]

The expanda de ropa type of rapiers grew out of that hand a half sword, becoming longer and narrower for thrusting. And then the fencing swords grew from that.

[@SilverTounge85]

...and Stannis had Lightbringer

[@visionist7]

Not in the show he didn't! I wanted to see that

[@O.G.H.]

@@visionist7 That would've increased the CGI costs through infinity. Every single time a light sword

[@michaelmiranda6571]

"Lightbringer"

[@hailhydreigon2700]

@@visionist7 He did have it in the show. It wasn't THE Lightbringer, but he named it Lightbringer.

[@thac0twenty377]

he wishes

[@Barukh]

I'm watching all of the episodes and I could not allow this one to go without mentioning how happy Denethor, steward of Gondor, looks even after the death of his son.

[@ModernKnight]

It was a tough time, but I bounced back.

[@Barukh]

@@ModernKnight hahahaha I never thought you would reply! Thanks for the videos and the historic enrichment, by the way! Cheers!

[@johnclark1925]

Just a few points. The hand and a half sword if used with two hands it is both faster and more accurate to skewer the small targets of armour openings than using a single hander. If one uses two hands for a strike to the neck on one side, it can be reversed with ‘zwerch’ cut to the opposite side in the very next phase… an arming sword cannot. Just one example of many where the two hander is faster than the single hand as it better utilises its back edge to strong cuts. The great advantage of the single arming sword which ensured it went on into the gunpowder era and beyond was that it later became paired with the buckler or dagger. This allowed two hands on the sword, one holding it, the other supporting that hand, this increased the speed, accuracy, gave protection to sword hand and body… it also gave a weapon in both hands in close quarters as the edge of the buckler is a monstrous knuckle duster and earlier the bucklers were even armed with spikes in the boss or edge. This brought the arming sword up to two handed speeds. Sparring longsword v arming sword and buckler is an even challenge. The dagger later replaced the buckler as a preferred pairing and it developed into a close quarter duelling weapon. It is at this point as we come to the end of the Medieval period where finally the single hand becomes faster and more accurate than a two hander as the sword moves towards being a specialist duelling weapon. Sparring two hander v rapier/dagger as in the Bolognese school of sword play is a thankless task… the single hand is insurmountable.

[@peterwood2246]

Excellent

[@ModernKnight]

Thanks

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

Well - time for me to put on my knighthood. Goodknight.

[@The_Captain40k]

That arming sword is beautiful

[@basteagui]

you are a true badass my friend. thanks for teaching me so many things!

[@ModernKnight]

Glad to help

[@mukkaar]

Swords are good self defence weapons because its not too cumbersome to carry and it's really versatile against unarmed or lightly armored opponents. It also gives good range advantage when compared to something like dagger. Rapiers are pretty much ultimate swords for that purpose, it has good hand guard and it's longer.

[@ProgressMakesPerfect]

Ok you got me interested so you got a new subscriber but the only problem is i cant stop watching now

[@ModernKnight]

Lol, nice to have you onboard!

[@stevenshar1233]

It's also important to note that swords are disposable weapons. With every use in battle wears down it's durability, swords definitely have a self life. The reason why we have swords from the middle ages is because these swords are heirloom and rarely see the battle. Like the video, the sword is a status symbol and in most cultures master work swords are used as gifts.

[@vanivanov9571]

This is more true of spears and hafted weapons. Those break a lot, knights often went through many lances in a battle. Your sword could last you more than one battle.

[@Maroke21]

2:10 zoro in one piece said that if you can feel the breath of everything around you, you can cut anything so idk you might be wrong there m8 I got one of those words on my hoodie and tbh I didn't even know the story behind it cheers Great vid keep it up!!

[@MiD3]

As a Polish person I must say that Battle of Grunwald (15.07.1410) wasn't that easy as he says (but ye we destroyed 'em ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) and Teutonic Knights had their own country about 200 years up till certain epic moment. I'd encourage you to get to know a little about this bros

[@minerwaweasley1008]

O, też Polak? Witaj :)

Love plate armors....they have class!! Love the arming sword!

[@deusvult6920]

France needs to reinstatement the capetian line from the carolingians Montjoie Saint Denis!

[@IronCow8]

I love this channel

[@Zaptruder]

It's almost like swords are perpetuated because they're cool and less because they're effective. And it's even more so that way today given how unnecessary unconcealed melee weaponry in general are! Having said that, there were a variety of practical sword uses - including half handing techniques where armored hands can grab the bladed portion and use tip or pommel as weapons - the tip with control from the hand at half blade can be much more effectively driven into armored opponent weak points. The other practical reason is as a side-arm easy to put into a scabbard and carried around - could be at the ready during non-combat civilian situations - out and about, at court, etc - generally in situations out of combat armor. They're symbols of power and authority in that regard - i.e. you wouldn't dare to cross a person with a sword in their scabbard unless you were prepared for a proper fight.

[@joshueabelis6031]

I read the reason you drive on the left side of the road because in olden days it was custom to pass someone on the trail on the right. So your sword hand is facing the possible danger.

[@MedievalGenie]

I don't know if you will find this comment, but I know myself and many other people who train specifically in the Medieval martial arts from original treatises like Fiore and Talhoffer. If you wish to collaborate with myself or with even more experienced people in these knightly arts (covering a wide range of weapons), please let me know and we can give a wealth of detail on whichever styles you wish. As a taster, when you mentioned stabbing poorly armoured or unarmoured gaps in a knight's protection, there's a technique called "half swording" where you grip the blade with one hand near the point to parry blows like a bar in-between your hands whilst closing to either stab easily with a more closely controlled point or use locks and binds to disarm or throw your armoured quarry. Look up Fiore's longsword in armour section for example.

[@crancklord8719]

Hello, great video! but I have to ask why was half swording not mentioned? It allows you to use longswords at close range and effectively attack plate armored opponents by giving them a meaty whack with the pommel. Granted I don’t know how terribly common half swording was but I felt like it deserved a bit of a mention.

[@salinagrrrl69]

I'd dig your take on tournament contest in "El Sid" speaking of swords.

[@excogitatorishominum6819]

I'm in love with a channel.

[@visionist7]

That's good! Which channel might that be?

[@excogitatorishominum6819]

@@visionist7 It's a magnificent channel, with it's contents made with excellence, care and love... It's called Modern History TV. ^^

[@РоманРамирез]

This is of course an old video, but I hope you still read it. I give you my sincere and deep respect, man.) You are a real "last knight". С уважением из России. (With respect from Russia.)

[@ModernKnight]

thanks for watching and subscribing, and hello. Russia is an amazing place.

[@theo-dr2dz]

Swords are most effective against opponents that are not armoured or only partially armoured. Since armour has always been expensive, significant parts of most armies were probably not armoured. The Bayeux tapestry probably shows mainly the important people, who were rich enough to own horses and armour, but there would also be a significant amount of lower-class infantry and archers. Also, the Anglo-Saxons were not heavily armoured. They relied on their shields and formation. But when the formation broke, they would be slaughtered by mounted swordsmen. They were saved because they held out until the Normans were exhausted too. Also, peasant uprisings, religious unrest where most of the rebels would be lower-class fanatics, Northern crusades against Prussian tribesmen and crusades to the Holy Land against Turkish light cavalry are all situations where swords would be quite effective. Short stabbing swords like the Roman gladius, and big daggers like the misericorde were quite effective for close infantry combat where the opponent was not entirely armoured and for the killing stroke at close quarters. Mail stops most cutting and piercing, but is vulnerable for blunt trauma. The most effective weapons agains mail would be maces and the blunt side of warhammers. But a powerful man with a sword would probably still be able to break bone. Or split a helmet. Or stab a man in his face (these helmets didn't have closed visors yet). Cutting edges are useless against plate armour. But all-encasing plate armour is _very_ expensive. There would still be enough people that didn't have that kind of gear. Most effective against plate is massive blunt damage and armour-piercing picks, like the sharp end of a warhammer. And against plate a special armour-piercing sword (the estoc) was developed. In the late 15th, early 16th century, German Landsknechte used huge, two-handed swords, mainly against pikemen. Pikemen were typically not heavily armoured because they mainly relied on formation. And later, when guns made armour obsolete, swords were again an effective side-arm for close combat and cavalry. So, a sword was not the most effective weapon against heavily-armoured knights, but most armies were not entirely heavily-armoured knights. I think that there were always enough situations where a sword would be effective.

[@ShinobiM116]

Hey I had a couple questions. 1: When you were talking about the issue of longswords/bastard sword in very close quarters, wouldn’t half-swording be an appropriate technique? 2: I was under the impression that the big benefits of swords in the later medieval era was their convenience for self defense given how easily you could carry one in a scabbard and draw it at a moment’s notice compared to other weapons more suited for a battlefield. Would that be correct and could that mean they went less out of style and more just transitioned to a different purpose?

[@BrushQuill]

Very interesting look at the sword. If you were to "zoom out" and look at swords over the course of history, I suspect that armour and the sword have a very close relationship. Cavalry carried swords (ceremonially still do) during the Napolenics and of course there was no armour at all by that point.