Medieval Collectibles Catalog : Swords : Renaissance Swords : Short Swords
Short Swords from Medieval Collectibles
The Short Sword also called arming sword refers to the single handed cruciform swords of the Middle Ages. After the 14th Century the short sword was hung from the belt of the knight, while the long sword hung from the saddle. The Short sword was designed primarily as cutting weapons to shear through mail and/or armor, these weapons were big but by no means unwieldy. Short swords typically were used with a shield or buckler. They were the standard military sword of the knight (merely called a war sword) until technological changes led to the rise of the long sword or bastard-sword during the 14th century. After these longer swords came into use, an short sword would be kept as a backup, for use when the longer swords were not available. This sword is thought to have directly lead to the development of the side-sword of the Renaissance. Short swords or Arming swords can also be classed as "riding-swords" (also "parva ensis" or "epee courte"). It is this single-hand form which is so closely associated with the idea of the "knightly sword or knight's sword". The short sword is often distinguished a longer, thrusting, "anti-armor" blade from a one-handed "cut and thrust" type.