From the most recent Hermann Historica auctions:
Lot Nr.2777
A sword from the Battle of Castillon 1453
found in Castillon-la-Bataille
Very wide, robust double-edged thrusting blade of flattened diamond section, tapering toward the point, the foible with one loss through combat use, wide iron cross hilt, straight, bevelled cross-guard with "ecusson" and down-curved arms, wide tapering tang with remnants of a wooden grip, heavy iron disc pommel with engraved ornamental lines and concave edges, the recessed medallions with pins, and a tall top nut. Total length 93 cm, blade length 75.4 cm, greatest width of blade 6.9 cm, length of the tang 9.9 cm. Weight 1660 g. Dark brown to blackish river patina in the form of goethite (hydrated iron oxide). The material is in remarkably good condition, only small losses.
Provenance: Dordogne or Lidoire in the vicinity of Castillon-la-Bataille. To date, 80 swords of medieval origin have been found at this site.
The Battle of Castillon put an end to the so-called "Hundred Years' War" between France and England. On 17th July 1453, the 60-year-old English commander Talbot ordered to attack the French position south of Castillon after receiving false information that the enemy was retreating and that an epidemic had broken out in the camp. However, the English attack failed, Talbot and his son were killed, and the remaining survivors tried to take flight in panic.
Cf. E. Oakeshott, "A river-find of 15th century swords", in Blankwaffen - Festschrift Hugo Schneider zum 65. Geburtstag 1982 (the type corresponds to no. 10/11) as well as L. Thompson in "The sword treasure trove" in Man at Arms, Lincoln USA, August 1997.
To date, this sword is the fourth edged weapon found at the site of the Battle of Castillon offered for sale at auction by Hermann Historica. We find it to be the most splendid sword of the entire group. Cf. Hermann Historica, Auction 50, 27/28 of April 2006, lot 2012. See also the other swords of this group, Hermann Historica: 58th auction on 8 October 2009 (lot 530), 50th auction on 28 April 2006 (lot 2012), 35th auction on 23 October 1997 (lot 1146), and 38th auction on 28 October 199 (lot 819).
Condition: II Limit: 30000 EURO
Währungsrechner / Currency converter
Zuschlag 40000 EURO
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