for travelers, traders and other civilians who traveled the land and roads, were there any preferred sword for protection against wild animals, bandits, highwaymen etc?

i guess it would be a 'carry a lot - use very little' sword
type, blade length?

time period would be before firearms got practical for such an application.
high middle age/rennesaince(don't know how to spell it)

Hi there!

Well for against beasts I wouldn't use sword, rather a spear or axe.

Preferred blade could be the messer, I think. Since it "isn't a sword, just a big knife" (>>messer means knife), everybody were allowed to wear it. It was popular from 14 to 16th century, or more if I know well. These weapons had many forms and sizes, so I guess this is what you are thinking about..

---

 Attachment: 133.82 KB

a simple, yet beautiiful messer (not self photo)

I believe this subject has been covered from all the angles on myArmoury and even more so on Swordforum. Try using the search engine so you can benefit from all of the time and expertise that has gone into addressing this issue.

Welcome to the site!

Maybe they just preferred big knifes. Most daggers of medieval times coulds be considered small swords compared to "self-defence knifes"´of our days. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01NHcTM5IA4

In late 15th and early 16th c. Austrian depictions of the arrest of Jesus, Peter is typically shown with a mid-size messer (bauernwehr) or a broad, Cinqueda-size, double-edge sword with short, straight cross (like the Windlass "coustille"). Those would be very practical general purpose blades for travelers and others living rough.