Longsword
Author: Unknown
Origin: Unknown
Dating: 15th-16th century
Material: Metal (Steel & Iron) & Wood
Dimensions (cm): 165 x 40
Weight: 3963 g
Inv. no.: PD1038 / MAS 292 / A.G. 3
A longsword whose blade is half grooved. The guard has a large groove with embellishments at the ends. The grip is of wood and the pommel is of iron, faintly decorated.
This type of European sword was mostly used between the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance. It stood out due to its dimensions and, for this reason, longswords were usually wielded with both hands – hence other aliases like mandoble or two-handed sword. However, longswords could also be wielded by one hand while the other held the blade in order to enhance the control of the thrusts.
Longswords were used in the battlefield to strike the opponent from above or to pierce the heavy armour of the time. They were commonly used to break lines of pikemen so the cavalry could breach formations.
