Posts: 1,576 Location: Bergen, Norway
Mon 19 May, 2008 6:03 am
Most likely the early greatswords where threated like single handers on horseback. As for their use on foot at this time I can't come up with any examples.
While grabbing the sword with both hands is a well known way to fight, (often used in literature to describe someone who goes berserk and abandons caution) long handles swords are not shown in high medevial imagery. Even though they appear in the archeolgical material.
This would indicate that they where not seen as a distinct class of weapon; A sword was a a sword. Later, when
shields become less common, the consept of using long handled swords in two hands gain hold, and artists start to depict them.
In this respect one should keep in mind that there are plenty of XI's and XII that have as long blades as the XIIa. (90cm+ isn't unheard of). In it's saddle sword function, the longer handle is a minor feature.
One should also keep in mind that knigths DO have their left hands free even when equiped with shields. Most of them utilize a guige strap and som variant of strap arrangement that lets the have the left hand free to hold the reins.
This also allows you to use a two handed weapon with the shield in place.
If you take a look at the shield on the ground in the mounted fight scene from Eddy C, you will see that that the shield has a small vertical grip in the center, a horisontal arm strap, a long handstrap along the edge and a guige.
[ Linked Image ]
In use, the arm is passed DOWN throuh the horisontal arm strap, and the guige put over the head. The hand is then slipped under the handstrap, so that the strap rests at the wrist/under arm, whith the hand free.
This firmly attacthes the shield to the upper arm, while allowing you to move you hand up and down, hold the reins, or use a two handed weapon. You can even block blows to the head by lifting the arm.
Most likely knights would reatain these shields when fighting on the ground, with their lances as spears. While
great helms priovide good protection, even a blunt two handed spear can deliver thrusts to the head that can tip you over.