Weapons of HEMA: Longsword
The longsword is a two-handed, double-edged sword with a sharp tip for thrusting. Longswords were used as early as the 13th century and as late as the 17th century but…
Introduction
The longsword is a two-handed, double-edged sword with a sharp tip for thrusting. Longswords were used as early as the 13th century and as late as the 17th century but reached their height in popularity around 1350 to 1550. It was prominent in Germany and Italy, and much of the surviving works describing their use originate from these two countries. These works are, in turn, interpreted by the HEMA community and form the body of HEMA longsword. [1]
The German and Italian longsword fighting methods are similar in serval aspects. They both feature a system of guards and use the sword for both cuts and thrusts. The true edge (the edge that faces away from the user) is the primary cutting edge, but there are also several false edge (the edge that faces towards the user) cuts that have devastating tactical uses. The pommel and crossguard can be used for close-quarters grappling, and the blade can be gripped in a technique called half-swording, turning the point into a finely controlled spear. [2]
Longswords are typically between 40-48" in length and weigh typically between 2½ - 4½ lb, with light specimens just below 2.2 lb, and heavy specimens just above 5 lb). [3]
Naming swords is always a difficult challenge due to fantasy games, movies, and video games. For medieval swords, a specific naming system called the Oakeshott typology exists to classify swords based on their profile, cross-section, average blade length, fuller, point, grip, average weight, primary purpose, and period.[4] Arms & Armor of the Oakshott Institute has written a wonderful article about the difference between longswords, bastard swords, and hand-and-a-half swords.
Types of Longsword
There are two types of longsword in the German tradition: the Federschwert (feder for short) and the plain longsword.
Feder
Federschwert translates to “feather sword” and was used to train new students to fight with a longsword. The design is featured prominently in Joachim Meyer’s A Thorough Description of the Art of Fencing. There is historical evidence they were also used for nonlethal duels and sparring matches.[5] Roger Norling has written an excellent article about the history, naming, and use of the federschwert.
A modern feder’s edges are typically wider to distribute the force of impact over a larger area, and the blade has enough flex to prevent injury during thrusting. Additionally, it has a schilt on the blade designed to better protect the hands and thumb during combat. They may also feature a fuller to shave off weight and change the handling characteristics of the sword. However, fullers are certainly not unique to feders and can be found on everything from daggers to greatswords.
Longsword
A sharp longsword generally lacks a schilt, and its point of balance is optimized for cutting and thrusting.
Historically, sharp longswords were used by the military on the battlefield and by civilians in duels and for self-defense. In modern HEMA, sharp longswords are used in cutting competitions to test the ability of the fencer to deliver effective, damaging cuts with the weapon. An ideal practitioner should have knowledge of a historical technique, be able to perform that technique effectively under ideal conditions with a sharp sword and be able to use that technique properly in sparring, which simulates a historical fight. A fighter who knows a cut and can perform it in sparring but cannot effectively cut tatami is an incomplete fighter because that technique would not be effective in a real fight.
Sharp swords are also used to test techniques that happen in the bind, (a bind is any time the swords touch each other during a fight) because sharp blades behave differently then blunt edges by sticking together and allowing for minute control over the opponent’s weapon by virtue of the bind.
Sources
German
Johannes Liechtenauer (1400s): Liechtenauer is considered to be the grandmaster of the entire German school of fencing. His primary work is a cryptic Zettel (poem) that lays out his 17 techniques in verse. These techniques are explained and demonstrated by other authors, most prominently Pseudo-Peter von Danzig, Sigmund ain Ringeck, and Hans 'Pfaffen' Döbringer. This text forms the foundation of German longsword fencing for the next 100 years.
Joachim Meyer (1560-1570): The last major figure of the Liechtenauer fencing tradition, Meyer devised at least three distinct and quite extensive fencing manuals. His writings incorporate both the traditional Germanic technical syllabus and contemporary systems that he encountered in his travels. His work shows an evolution of the original Liechtenauer ideals combined with the influences of several other masters from all over Europe.
Italian
Fiore de'i Liberi (early 1400s): The foundation of the Italian tradition is the Flower of Battle by Fiore de’i Liberi. The book describes Fiore’s life fighting and teaching and describes how to wrestle and fight with a dagger, sword, polearms, on a horse, and in armor. This is a complete martial system and is foundational to Italian martial arts.
Equipment
HEMA gear on TOTA has an extensive list of recommended longsword equipment for beginners in HEMA.
Demonstration
A collection of various German longsword techniques.
The following video gives a demonstration of Italian longsword techniques.
An example of a longsword cutting competition.
An example of an longsword sparing match.
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Written by Nicholas Allen, founder and former head instructor of the VCU HEMA club.
Edited by Kiana Shurkin, xKDF
Historical sources fact-checked by Michael Chidester, Editor-in-Chief of Wiktenauer
Works cited
Footnotes
[1] "Category:Longsword ~ Wiktenauer ~☞ Insquequo Omnes Gratuiti Fiant", Wiktenauer.com, 2013, https://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Category:Longsword.
[2] "Category:Longsword ~ Wiktenauer ~☞ Insquequo Omnes Gratuiti Fiant", Wiktenauer.com, 2013, https://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Category:Longsword.
[3] "Category:Longsword ~ Wiktenauer ~☞ Insquequo Omnes Gratuiti Fiant", Wiktenauer.com, 2013, https://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Category:Longsword.
[4] "Oakeshott's Typology Of The Medieval Sword", Albion-Swords.com, 2005, http://www.albion-swords.com/articles/oakeshott-typology.htm.
[5] Roger Norling, "The Whatchamacallit-Schwert", HROARR, 2013, http://hroarr.com/article/the-feder-whatchamacallit/.
Citations
"Category:Longsword ~ Wiktenauer ~☞ Insquequo Omnes Gratuiti Fiant". Wiktenauer.com, 2013. https://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Category:Longsword.
Norling, Roger. "The Whatchamacallit-Schwert". HROARR, 2013. http://hroarr.com/article/the-feder-whatchamacallit/.
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