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Allen W
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 Posted: Mon 19 Apr, 2004 6:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Jeanry Chandler wrote: | | Allen W wrote: | | As zweihanders are typically a germanic weapon it is best to stick to Germanic examples. . |
First, my compliments to all posters, this is an interesting and informative thread.
Second, I thnk the dopplehander or zweihander seems to be a swiss invention, actually, which arguably isn't necessarily the same thing as german or even germanic. (at least according to my swiss aunt)
Third, while the British did not use dopplehanders, they were hardly unknown in the British isles. The infamous half celtic, half norse Gallowglass mercenaries, having served on the Continent, brought dopplehanders back with them to Ireland and Scotland. They played a major role in the campaigns of Robert the Bruce among many others, and were known as specialists in the use of what were essentially dopplehanders: six foot two handed greatswords, albiet with a few unique design features such as ring-pommels. There is a famous Albrecht Durer illustration of Gallowglass with two such weapons.
The larger 'claymores' were developments of these weapons, and some of them were larger than any greatswor
JR |
The larger claymores weren't developments of these but rather were these weapons. Blade lengths were typically in the range of great swords, though with longer hilts. Six footers are rare. Additionally they were rarely used among pikes or to break them as pike formations were not a staple of highland warfare. My point of trying to stick to German examples is simply the nature of the thread as the initial question was about zweihanders and pike formations
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Eric Gerry
Location: Phoenix, AZ Joined: 15 Nov 2003
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Tue 20 Apr, 2004 7:06 am Post subject: |
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For what it's worth, DiGrassi does specifically mention severing the heads of pikes with a halberd. I don't have the text with me at the moment-- I'll dig out the quote later.
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Felix Wang
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| Posted: Tue 20 Apr, 2004 7:53 am Post subject: |
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As far as Degrassi is concerned, it is worth noting that in his discussion of the two-handed sword he makes no mention of cutting off pike heads, or facing off against pikemen. http://www.aemma.org/onlineResources/diGrassi/digrassi13.htm
The Scottish twa-hand swerde tended to be slightly smaller than the Continental two-handers. It also lacked the long ricasso and parrying hooks / parrierhacken(SP?) of the Germanic swords - which suggests they weren't used in the same fashion.
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Felix Wang
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| Posted: Tue 20 Apr, 2004 9:34 am Post subject: |
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The text of DeGrassi concerning cutting pikes and other polearms is here: http://www.aemma.org/onlineResources/diGrassi...y.htm#14.2
see the last paragraph of section 14.1. DeGrassi says to use the butt-end of the polearm to push aside the pike heads so you can step (increase a pace) forwards among the pike heads, and then swing the halberd or partisan across the shafts. This method might not be appropriate for a zweihander as it lacks the long butt-end of a polearm. It is possible to use a zweihander without one hand near the pommel, I suppose - but I don't think that is common, and it reduces the cutting power of the sword. Since DeGrassi says that the cutting of polearm shafts must be done with great force, a zweihander might not be best for this use.
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