The Association of Medieval Crusaders

Sword XII - profiled disc-shaped pommel (AB)

Information

Sword XII - profiled disc-shaped pommel

Copy of a Danish sword, dated to 1225-1275. The shape suggests that it is used both on foot and horse, while it is optimized for slashing, cutting and thrusting. This type of sword almost becomes a standard for one hand medieval swords.
Although the blade design is dedicated to slashing and cutting, this type of blade has a peaked profile and a more lenticular point. The clear and significant fuller runs to the lenticular point. It balances the weight and proportions that the heavy point sets off.
The fuller and the lenticular point also provide an effective thrusting weapon. The sword's hint of being a thrusting weapon emerges as the earliest form of plate armor now begins to become common.
The cross-guard is long; the pommel with the rounded profile optimizes the sword in the use with the wrist around its axis of rotation.
(Oakeshott type: Blade XII, Pommel J, Cross-guard 2).

Sources

Sword XII - profiled disc-shaped pommel 01 (A)

Source type (A):
Archaeological object.
Current location:
Nationalmuseet, Copenhagen Denmark (u. nr. R29 M1).
Place of origin:
Denmark.
Dating:
Ca. 1225-1275.
Note:
A.B. Hoffmeyer pl. XV - a.
Oakeshott type: Blade XII, Pommel J, Cross-guard 2.
Inscription: "O S O".

Sword XII - disc-shaped pommel 02 (B)

Source type (B):
Manuscript.
Name:
Liber additamentorum.
Author:
Matthew Paris.
Current location:
Brithish Library, London, England (Cotton MS Nero D I - f.8r).
Place of origin:
-
Dating:
1250-1259.

Sword XII - profiled disc-shaped pommel 03 (B)

Source type (B):
Manuscript.
Name:
Liber de natura rerum.
Author:
Thomas de Cantimpré & Albert le Grand.
Current location:
Bibliothèque municipale de Valenciennes (Ms 0320 - f.44r).
Place of origin:
Abbaye de Saint-Amand, Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, France.
Dating:
1280.
Note:
Battle with Amazons.

More sources

Sword XII - profiled disc-shaped pommel 04 (A)

Source type (A):
Archaeological object.
Current location:
Catedral Primada Santa María de Toledo, Toledo, Spain.
Oprindelsessted:
King Sancho IV af Castille's tomb, Catedral Primada Santa María de Toledo, Toledo, Spain.
Datering:
Before 1298.
Note:
Oakshot: XII - 7.

Cross -Reference

Kettle Hat 04 (B)

Source type (B):
Manuscript.
Name:
Apocalypse glosée.
Author:
Illuminator: Maître de Sarum.
Current location:
Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris, France (BNF: Français 403 - f.1v).
Place of origin:
France.
Dating:
1240-1250.

Knee Protection (Poleyns) 06 (B)

Source type (B):
Tombstone.
Name:
Guillaume Bertrand de Durfort.
Author:
-
Current location:
Basilica della Santissima Annunziata, Florence, Italy.
Place of origin:
Basilica della Santissima Annunziata, Florence, Italy.
Dating:
Ca. 1289.
Note:
French nobleman, buried in Italy.

+ KORSFARERNE +