When discussing the origin of the medieval one-handed sword, the Viking Age (790 AD–1066 AD) is undoubtedly a crucial historical period. During this time, the Vikings rose to prominence and had a profound impact on European history. One of the most representative weapons of this era was the Viking sword. The European one-handed sword evolved and developed based on the Viking sword. With the spread of Christianity and advancements in metallurgy, the design of swords gradually changed. The crossguard was lengthened, forming a cross shape with the blade and grip to enhance protection. The pommel was made heavier, shifting the balance point backward to improve handling. To accommodate cavalry combat and counter the increasingly developed armor protection, the sword tip became sharper, and compared to most Viking swords, the blade lengthened.
The arming sword, often referred to as the knightly sword due to its association with the knightly class, became widely popular in the early 12th century, shortly after the First Crusade. It became the most representative one-handed sword of the time. Whether knights or kings, they all carried an arming sword, and even ordinary soldiers could own a lower-quality version sufficient for combat. As European warfare evolved, the arming sword remained in use even during the era of longswords and rapiers. It was only with the emergence of modern European sabers that it completely faded from the battlefield.
During this period, the overall length of the arming sword typically ranged between 90 and 100 cm, with a blade length of approximately 80 cm and a grip length of about 18–20 cm, with 18 cm being the most common. The total weight of the sword was usually around 1.1 kg, with 1 kg considered an ideal weight. The balance point was generally located 5–10 cm above the grip, with around 8 cm being the optimal distribution. This design made it particularly well-suited for use with a shield while maintaining strong cutting power.
The blade was typically double-edged and featured a fuller to reduce weight and optimize balance. However, in the 13th and 14th centuries, as armor protection improved, some arming swords abandoned the fuller in favor of a raised central ridge or even a triangular cross-section to enhance thrusting ability.
The crossguard of the arming sword was similar to that of the longsword but generally more compact. Over time, various styles of crossguards emerged. For example, the Katzbalger sword of the German Landsknecht mercenaries featured a distinctive rounded crossguard. However, in the mid-12th century, arming swords primarily retained the traditional straight-bar crossguard design.
The pommel was also a crucial component of the arming sword, with the most common style being the disc-shaped pommel. This type of pommel provided excellent weight distribution and handling. However, for longswords, a disc-shaped pommel could sometimes affect grip comfort, leading to variations in design.
The arming sword was almost always used in conjunction with a shield. Common combinations included the small buckler and battlefield shields such as the kite shield or heater shield. In combat, the shield was used to block enemy attacks while the arming sword delivered cutting strikes—a fundamental combat strategy. The essence of sword-and-shield combat was most evident in engagements between warriors wielding similar setups.
As one of the most representative one-handed swords of the medieval period, the arming sword played a crucial role on the battlefield. Its design continuously evolved in response to changes in tactics and defensive equipment, making it one of the most mainstream knightly weapons from the 12th to the 14th century. Even with the advent of more advanced weapons such as the longsword and rapier, the arming sword left an indelible mark on European warfare. It was only with the rise of modern sabers that the arming sword finally disappeared from the battlefield.
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