History of the Sword

The evolution of the blade parallels humankind’s development of metallurgic technology. About 5000 years ago the Minoans developed metal-working technology, using primarily copper, gold and silver. The addition of tin to copper yielded a bronze alloy which was strong enough to make blades of reliable use.

By 4000 years ago, raiders of the Mediterranean, presumably from Russia, had developed double-edged weapons that could be used for cutting as well as stabbing. Because of the new stresses placed on blades used in this fashion, gradual advances were made in the shapes of the blade and tang to prevent the swords from essentially falling of their hilts during combat.

By about 2600 years ago the Assyrians controlled much of the middle-east, and their empire was founded on the ability to make blades of iron. European tribes at this time were also developing long iron swords, probably based on the Assyrian technology. By 2500 years ago, iron was used almost exclusively for edged weapons. The iron long sword ultimately proved to be too much even for the Roman Empire, and changed little from that time until the Middle Ages.

During the Middle Ages, swords became heavier and more ornamental. Because of the added weight of the sword, the quillon, or hand guard, was developed. This essentially prevented the hand from slipping off the handle and onto the blade itself. Through the Middle Ages, the quillon became more elaborate, sometimes forming a basket to protect the entire hand and making the sword nearly impossible to drop.

In the early Middle Ages, swords were the weapons of knights and nobility, to be used both from horseback and on foot. By the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance, military tactics dictated the formation of large armies. Swords began to be issued to foot soldiers of all ranks to be used as their primary weapons. At this time, the traditional role of the knight began to evolve into the horsed cavalry, and their swords were used almost exclusively from horseback. Broadswords began to evolve into the modern saber.

The saber continued to be a weapon of use in warfare until World War I. Since that period, the new technologies developed in the American Civil War have advanced considerably, and the sword is now used primarily for decorative and formal purposes rather than combat.

Somewhat less is knows about the evolution of edged weapons in Asia prior to the Renaissance era, but beautifully ornamental swords and daggers from Asian regions have been dated back to the 1300’s. These include the Indian talwar, bhuj and bagh nakh; the more modern Indian Khanda; the Indonesian kris and mandau; and of course the daisho, haikuchi, hamidashi, kwaiken and nagamaki of Japan. The most historic of the swords of Japan is the tachi, the first samurai sword.

Sequoía sempervírens (D

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Merriam-Webster Online

... One entry found for sword fern. Main Entry: sword fern. Function: noun ...

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Sword Fern

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Nephrolepsis--Sword Fern

Michigan State University Extension. Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00000988. 11/12/99. Nephrolepsis--Sword Fern. Type: house plant. Comments: Sword Ferns (Vis. 1) are hard to grow.

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Yalaha Nurseries and Fernery

Cut foliage and foliage roping and garland for wholesale florists. Cut greens include leather leaf, sword fern, Aspidistra, Cocculus, ribbon grass, sprengeri, ming, rush, and beauty berry. ...

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Turner Photographics: Note Cards: Forests: Frost on Sword Fern

... Frost on Sword Fern Caption: Frost delicately delineates the fronds of a Sword Fern. Polystichum munitum. Photographer's comment: Frost like this forms on cold, clear nights when the ...

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Western Sword Fern

Western Sword Fern, Polystichum munitum. Lady Fern Athyrium felix femina. FERN LORE: Sword Fern was an important plant for many first peoples in the Pacific Northwest.

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Polystichum munitum Western Sword Fern.

Polystichum munitum Genus: Polystichum Species: munitum Variety: Cultivar: Common name(s): Western Sword Fern . A fern with 3' dark green fronds. A very refined, very tight clump that looks ...

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Paghat's Garden: Polystichum munitum

Random stuff about Paghat the Ratgirl's gardens. ... Western Sword Fern, a native beauty ... It's an awesome fern, among the largest of all evergreen types ...

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