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Edward Hitchens
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 Posted: Wed 07 Feb, 2007 11:57 am Post subject: The King has arrived! |
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Hey everyone,
Just moments ago, the sword that I have revered and coveted for so long has finally arrived at my doorstep! The Arms & Armor Edward III has reigned as #1 atop my 'dream sword' list for more than half-a-decade. Now that King Edward is finally here, I thought I'd share the joy!
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"The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest." Thomas Jefferson
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Roger Hooper
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| Posted: Wed 07 Feb, 2007 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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Congratulations! How does it feel in your hand?
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Edward Hitchens
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| Posted: Wed 07 Feb, 2007 12:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Roger Hooper wrote: | | Congratulations! How does it feel in your hand? |
Hefty! A 3.5-pound sword will wear out my hand rather quick. If I absolutely had to use this sword in battle, I would wield it with both hands with my guide hand on the pommel. Is its Type K pommel designed to be grasped? Probably, though opinions regarding comfort versus performance of doing so are anyone's guess.
One thing I have noticed: I also own a Schloss Erbach whose blade is a bit longer, but much more slender than the Edward III, yet both are considered Type XVIIIa's on Oakeshott's typology. Maybe it's the profile taper and diamond cross-sections that make them the same type. 
"The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest." Thomas Jefferson
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Richard Fay
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| Posted: Wed 07 Feb, 2007 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Edward Hitchens wrote: | | One thing I have noticed: I also own a Schloss Erbach whose blade is a bit longer, but much more slender than the Edward III, yet both are considered Type XVIIIa's on Oakeshott's typology. Maybe it's the profile taper and diamond cross-sections that make them the same type. |
Edward,
In Records of the Medieval Sword, Ewart Oakeshott classed most Type XVIII cut-and-thrust swords with longer blades and grips as Type XVIIIa, regardless of breadth of the blade, even though he mentions Types XVIIIb and XVIIIc in the short type description in the beginning of the section. In the short descriptive for these types, Oakeshott states that a Type XVIIIa denotes a sword of this basic type with a longer blade, often with a 1/3 length fuller, and a longer grip. Thus, a broad-bladed sword of the type like the one in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and a slim-bladed example like the one in the Bayerisches nationalmuseum in Munich, are both listed as Type XVIIIa in Records..
In The Sword in the Age of Chivalry, Oakeshott broke down the typology further, having Types XVIII (a broad blade of flattened diamond section with the edges tapering in graceful curves and a grip of moderate length), Type XVIIIA (a fairly slender blade averaging 32" long, most one-handed but some with a grip of about 5"), Type XVIIIB (a long, slender, acutely pointed blade of flattened diamond section, with a long grip often 10-11"), Type XVIIIC (a broad blade of flattened diamond section generally about 34" long with a grip of hand-and-a-half proportions - the Type XVIII in the Metropolitan Museum of Art with the long grip could perhaps be classed as a Type XVIIIC), Type XVIIID (a long, slender blade of stiff, four-sided section, occasionally with a narrow fuller, and a short grip), and Type XVIIIE (a long, narrow blade generally with a long ricasso narrower than the blade).
I think a lot depends on which typology you follow, the simpler one, or the more complicated one. I think any longer-bladed, longer-gripped Type XVIII would be considered within the sub-type XVIIIa if the simpler system is used.
By the way, congratulations on your acquisition of the Edward III sword. I'm jealous! That's one of the ones on my "wish list" if my ship ever comes in. 
Have fun! 
"I'm going to do what the warriors of old did! I'm going to recite poetry!"
Prince Andrew of Armar
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Bryce Felperin
Location: San Jose, CA Joined: 16 Feb 2006
Posts: 552
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| Posted: Wed 07 Feb, 2007 2:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Edward Hitchens wrote: | | Roger Hooper wrote: | | Congratulations! How does it feel in your hand? |
Hefty! A 3.5-pound sword will wear out my hand rather quick. If I absolutely had to use this sword in battle, I would wield it with both hands with my guide hand on the pommel. Is its Type K pommel designed to be grasped? Probably, though opinions regarding comfort versus performance of doing so are anyone's guess.
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Use your off hand to grip the wheel pommel with just the web between your thumb and index finger and part of your palm. This will give you just enough grip for pulling the pommel in cuts and stabilize the sword when doing parrys. You don't need to do a full grip with your off hand to use a sword two handed. Just enough to pull the pommel is all you need. Your dominent hand guides it, the off hand gives it power.
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Steve Grisetti
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| Posted: Wed 07 Feb, 2007 4:15 pm Post subject: |
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Congratulations, again, Ted! Nice pics - but what is on the other side of the pommel (i.e., opposite the coat of arms)? If I recall correctly, the original had an embedded crystal, with a cloth behind it, and the Hanwei version also has a crystal (or some reasonable facsimile thereof). What is on the A&A version?
"...dismount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for thy assailant is quick, skilful, and deadly."
- Sir Toby Belch
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Edward Hitchens
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| Posted: Wed 07 Feb, 2007 6:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Steve Grisetti wrote: | | Congratulations, again, Ted! Nice pics - but what is on the other side of the pommel? |
Ah, what indeed?  The very epitome of mystery lies in what has become the most asked question in the age of human thought: "What is on the other side of the Edward III sword?" The other --- side ---  To venture to the other side is to venture into the unkown ....
.... or I could just flip the sword over and look.   The other side of the pommel is bare; the whole pommel is gilded bronze except for the English coat of arms on the one side.
"The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest." Thomas Jefferson
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Joe Fults
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| Posted: Wed 07 Feb, 2007 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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The real question is, do I get to cut with it someday?
"The goal shouldn’t be to avoid being evil; it should be to actively do good." - Danah Boyd
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Chad Arnow
myArmoury Team
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| Posted: Wed 07 Feb, 2007 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Joe Fults wrote: | | The real question is, do I get to cut with it someday? |
I'm sure you will, either Ted's or mine.
ChadA
http://chadarnow.com/
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Chad Arnow
myArmoury Team
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| Posted: Wed 07 Feb, 2007 7:36 pm Post subject: |
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| Steve Grisetti wrote: | | Congratulations, again, Ted! Nice pics - but what is on the other side of the pommel (i.e., opposite the coat of arms)? If I recall correctly, the original had an embedded crystal, with a cloth behind it, and the Hanwei version also has a crystal (or some reasonable facsimile thereof). What is on the A&A version? |
To expand on what Ted said, the "other" side is the same as the coat of arms side, minus the coat of arms. In its place is a typical hollow for that pommel type. It might not be too tough to shape a crystal into a thin disk to fit; I might try that with mine, actually.
ChadA
http://chadarnow.com/
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Edward Hitchens
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| Posted: Thu 08 Feb, 2007 3:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Joe Fults wrote: | | The real question is, do I get to cut with it someday? |
You sure can, Joe! It's got one heck of an edge; sharper than I thought it would be. Hey Bob or Chad, is yours pretty sharp?
"The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest." Thomas Jefferson
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Jeremy V. Krause
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| Posted: Thu 08 Feb, 2007 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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Hi guys,
I wonder where the small piece of cloth comes from on the original. I presume it belongs to some saint but it would be cool to know. Also how does the decoration on the blade look- I wonder if it is the same as the historical example.
And OF COURSE you have to cut with it! It's not a lamp! 
Jeremy
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Bob Burns
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| Posted: Thu 08 Feb, 2007 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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CONGRATULATIONS Ted!
Looks Familiar!
Thanks for posting pictures of our glorious acquisition, it was an "Honor" being in the same waiting list with you, especially given that this has been your Dream Sword for nearly Ten Years!
I just got my photos developed and I have to reshoot. I am still learning this Nikon N80 film camera. But I asked some questions at the camera store that will help me a lot on this next attempt.
Sincerely,
Bob
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Chad Arnow
myArmoury Team
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| Posted: Thu 08 Feb, 2007 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Jeremy V. Krause wrote: | Hi guys,
I wonder where the small piece of cloth comes from on the original. I presume it belongs to some saint but it would be cool to know. Also how does the decoration on the blade look- I wonder if it is the same as the historical example.
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From what I can tell without having the sword in front of me, A&A does the blade decoration pretty faithfully. It's a different method (sand-blasting, perhaps?, instead of engraving) but it's clear without being overly-modern-looking. The decoration on the other side of the blade is a bit smaller, like the original.
As for the cloth, Oakeshott speculated it could have been part of the shroud of Edward the Confessor.
ChadA
http://chadarnow.com/
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Edward Hitchens
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| Posted: Thu 08 Feb, 2007 8:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Chad Arnow wrote: | | As for the cloth, Oakeshott speculated it could have been part of the shroud of Edward the Confessor. |
Maybe I'll have to find a piece of an old tattered shirt or rag and attach it to the pommel opposite the coat of arms to simulate this piece of cloth! It would probably be easier to put on than rock crystal.
"The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest." Thomas Jefferson
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Glen A Cleeton
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| Posted: Thu 08 Feb, 2007 10:01 pm Post subject: |
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Another tidbit to remember is that Edward III had bought his way into the linen armourers guild. I had read Oakeshott's notes but always keep this in the back of my mind when seeing the sword (in its reincarnations).
edit to add:
After Edward III reconstituted and legitimated the trading fraternities by recognising their distinctive liveries and providing them with charters or letters patent, the King himself led a rush of non-operatives to join. Presumably meaning he was initiated in a mock-up manner, and given access to some ersatz secrets, it is recorded that he 'became' a Linen-Armourer. His successor Richard II became a brother of the same company and
the great, both clergy and laity, as well as principal citizens, dazzled with the splendour of such associates, hastened in both reigns to be enrolled as tradesmen in the fraternities
source
http://www.takver.com/history/benefit/ctormys-02.htm
Cheers
GC
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Edward Hitchens
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| Posted: Fri 09 Feb, 2007 9:33 am Post subject: |
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Thanks everyone for the kind words. It hasn't been quite a full decade but close enough (about six or seven years -- that's still a lengthy time to wait to purchase the sword that completes your collection! ).
Anyway, here's another picture of the sword showing the back of the pommel and (to my surprise) the emblem of the Garter is on the other side of the blade also. BTW, the mysterious portcullis symbol is only on the "front" side -- same side as the English coat of arms on the pommel. -Ted
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"The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest." Thomas Jefferson
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Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
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Edward Hitchens
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| Posted: Fri 09 Feb, 2007 10:26 am Post subject: |
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Just FYI, don't be misled about the black spots on that last photo I just posted of the hilt. That's not tarnish. I was wearing a black shirt at the time I snapped that picture and apparently that's a refraction of the flash. Wow, say that five times real quick.
The tiny white spots on the shoulder of the blade are specks of dust. There's a rust protectant on the blade that also seems to attract dust and cat hair. Drives me nuts!
"The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest." Thomas Jefferson
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