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.

Welcome to Swordplay Alliance

Sword play alliance is a group of schools teaching fencing, rapier fencing as taught in 1700 ad.Teaching is done in a safe controlled manner. ... Ookami Kenjitsu Wolf Style Sword & ...

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Old Sword-Play

...Old Sword-Play .. Captain Alfred Hutton .. Editor.....Preface .. THE ensuing lessons on "Old Sword-Play" have been compiled from the works.....a triad of great Victorian scholars of the ...

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Sword Play

Biography of Dr. Weldon Vlasak and information on common fencing faults.

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The Swashbuckler's Page

Emphasis on sword play and Medieval period. Links to books, illustrations, supplies, movies.

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SWORD PLAY

... Outlet Co-op is back again, turning Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers into the hilarious comedy Sword Play ... Sword Play is on stage from August 11 – 28, 2004 at the ...

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Sword Play : Fencing techniques

Sword Play Fencing Techniques ... 1. The most common mistakes. Holding the grip too tight leads to numerous problems.

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Mayfield Morris and Sword

Womens team from Palo Alto, California, performing Cotswold, Longsword, English Clog, and the occasional mummers play.

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Sword Play : Home Page

...good will and high standards.....Sword Play .. Home Page..  Our Sword Play site is.....Our Sword Play site is dedicated to: promulgating.....of fencing that is based on centuries of ...

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Fencing

Visit the link for details.

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The Two-Hand Sword

...in fact, these latter are a distinct survival of the two-hand sword-play of the sixteenth century.

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