What is a knightly sword?

The usual name for the straight, double-edged sword with a cross guard used by knights from the 11th to the 14th century — above all the one-handed sword carried with a shield. From the 14th century knights increasingly also used longswords.

How much does a one-handed sword weigh?

Typically 1.0–1.4 kg at an overall length of 85–100 cm. Replicas are often heavier because their blades are thicker and taper less than the originals.

What is a one-handed sword used for today?

Collecting and display, historical reenactment, historical fencing (sword and buckler) and test cutting — the last only with a sharp sword and on mats, never in sparring.

The armoury

One-Handed Swords

The one-handed sword is the knightly sword in its purest form: a grip for one hand, a 70–85 cm blade and a weight of 1.0–1.4 kg. From the 11th to the 14th century it was the most common sword in Europe.

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.

Ask about this type Design it in the configurator

Typical dimensions

A sword for fighting with a shield — a kite shield on horseback, a buckler on foot. Above all a cutting weapon, mounted or on foot.

Typical length: 85–100 cm
Typical mass: 1–1.4 kg
Balance (POB): 10–15 cm
Typology: Oakeshott X–XIV
Period: 11th–14th c. · crusades and the high Middle Ages
Blade section: Lenticular, with a fuller

The knight's sword for one hand

A knight fought with a shield on his left arm, so his sword had to work in one hand, mounted and on foot. In the 11th century the guard lengthened into a cross and the hand could finally come out in front of the shield. A disc or brazil-nut pommel balanced the blade, so the sword was driven by the wrist rather than the whole arm.

Ewart Oakeshott divided these swords into types X to XIV. Type X has a broad blade with a long fuller, straight out of the Viking tradition. Type XII tapers gently, with a fuller running two thirds of the length — the archetypal knightly sword. Type XIV is shorter and broad at the hilt, with a strongly tapering point.

How to choose a one-handed sword

Length follows height: held in a lowered hand, the sword should hang with its point a few centimetres above the floor. A point of balance 10–15 cm from the guard gives a sword that cuts with authority without tiring the wrist.

A sharp edge means a sword for a collection and for cutting mats. Partner drills and sparring call for a blunt sword with an edge at least 2 mm thick and a rounded point — in historical fencing the one-handed sword is most often trained with a buckler, as in the I.33 manuscript of around 1300.

Frequently asked

What is a knightly sword?: The usual name for the straight, double-edged sword with a cross guard used by knights from the 11th to the 14th century — above all the one-handed sword carried with a shield. From the 14th century knights increasingly also used longswords.
How much does a one-handed sword weigh?: Typically 1.0–1.4 kg at an overall length of 85–100 cm. Replicas are often heavier because their blades are thicker and taper less than the originals.
What is a one-handed sword used for today?: Collecting and display, historical reenactment, historical fencing (sword and buckler) and test cutting — the last only with a sharp sword and on mats, never in sparring.