The armoury
Medieval Daggers
The misericorde, the rondel and the baselard: daggers that completed a knight's sword. A narrow, stiff blade for thrusting into the gaps of armour.
Made to order
We have no sword of this type in stock right now. Tell us what you are after and we will source it as an individual commission.
Typical dimensions
Thrusting into the gaps of plate armour — the visor, the armpit, the joints. Reverse grip, hand braced against the rondel disc.
- Typical length
- 30–46 cm
- Typical mass
- 0.3–0.55 kg
- Balance (POB)
- 2–6 cm
- Typology
- Rondel, misericorde
- Period
- 14th–16th c. · the back-up weapon
- Blade section
- Triangular or stiff diamond
The knight's second weapon
The misericorde takes its name from the Latin misericordia, mercy, because it delivered the finishing blow through the gaps of armour. The rondel has two discs, at the guard and the pommel, that protect the hand and stop it slipping in a hard thrust. The baselard is recognised by its I-shaped hilt.
Medieval daggers are usually 30–46 cm long and weigh 0.3–0.55 kg — the weapon for grappling range, when the sword was already too long.
Frequently asked
- What is a misericorde?
- A narrow, stiff knightly dagger used to thrust into the gaps of armour. The name comes from the Latin misericordia, meaning mercy.
- How much does a medieval dagger weigh?
- Typically 0.3–0.55 kg at a length of 30–46 cm.
Other types of sword
- Early medievalViking and Carolingian blades, 8th–11th c.
- Arming swordsKnightly one-handers for sword and shield, 11th–14th c.
- LongswordsBastard swords and longswords, 14th–16th c.
- Two-handersZweihänders and claymores, 15th–16th c.
- Curved and cleavingFalchions, messers, early sabres.
- TrainingFeders and HEMA swords, made to order.
- AccessoriesStands, scabbards, belts, oil and wax.