The Broadsword was a typical medieval sword that was used in many battles during the early medieval period and was still popular in later medieval times.
This double-edged sword was made for cutting rather than stabbing, with proper skills and power this weapon was capable of cutting off the limbs and head of its victim. The Broadsword did have some disadvantages as it was quite difficult to master and took some skill to use.
Broadsword *Basket-Hilted Swords
The term Broadsword was really a description of a group of swords which enabled modern historians to put a number of swords with similar characteristics under the same category of ‘Broadsword’.
Since the earliest of medieval times Broadswords were used in different types of battles on different types of terrain.
The Broadsword was used from early in the medieval period from around the 6th until the 16th century, these medieval weapons kept their original design as a double-edged sword that was used for cutting and slashing throughout the period.
Medieval Swords Claymore Sword Hilt
Special editions of the Broadsword were then introduced after the 14th century with the first being introduced as the Claymore sword, followed by the Basket-hilted sword, and then finally the Sabre sword which made an appearance after the medieval period in the 19th century.
Sabre Sword
Since its introduction in around the 6th century, the Broadsword became a favoured weapon of choice for medieval knights. With proper dedication and extensive training, they were able to dominate the battlefield using their parrying and attacking skills, whilst being protected from attack with their sturdy Armour.
Since the Broadsword was a melee weapon that was 30 to 45 inches (76cm to 114cm) long it was primarily used in very close combat as it was a light medieval sword that was easy to control with just one hand.
The Broadsword has a double-edged blade with 2-3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) width at the base, which then tapers to a point. Depending on the user’s desire the sword ranged from 30 to 45 inches (76 to 114cm) in length with an average weight of 3 to 5 pounds (1 to 2 kg).
Depending on the battle and current equipment being used the Broadsword could be used with one or two hands. The most effective way of using a Broadsword was with one hand, accompanied by a shield as has been recorded throughout history.
The knights which used the longest version of the sword were very well trained usually from an early age and wore appropriate armour that allowed suitable protection and flexibility, on horseback they were able to take on 5 – 10 soldiers at the same time without any difficulty.
A version of the broadsword used during the 15th to 17th century in Scotland by the Highlanders.
The Basket-Hilt Broadsword
This design offered a protective basket on the hilt of the sword in order to protect the hand carrying it.
The Sabre sword – this design appeared in the mid-modern period of medieval times and had many different variations, such as the double edge, one edge, curved and straight sword, however they shared the same pointed and very sharp tip.
The Broadsword was considered to be a very agile and lightweight weapon which made slashing and cutting quite easy with the proper training.
Depending on its length it could serve different purposes and soldiers usually preferred the 45 inches (114cm) version because of the range of fighting it allowed, nothing but the two-handed long sword could reach it in the melee range of combat and this gave the fighter an advantage as the weapon was light and agile.
Training to use a Broadsword was very difficult and time-consuming and only the most determined of Knights mastered it, this was very hard work and took some considerable time. The training was hard but if you were prepared to put in the effort you could become a well-respected member of medieval society and would be well rewarded for your unique set of skills, as one skilled Broadsword master could take on and defeat 5 to 10 opponents at the same time.