Longsword Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Longsword
Swiss longsword, 15th or early 16th century (Morges museum)
Type	Sword
Service history
In service	ca. 1350 - 1550
Specifications
Mass	avg. 1.4 kg
Length	avg. 105-120 cm
Blade length	avg. 90-92 cm

Blade type	Double-edged, straight bladed
Hilt type	Two-handed cruciform, with pommel

The longsword is a type of European sword. It was mostly used during the medieval and renaissance times, roughly from 1350 to 1550 AD. Some earlier and later uses are also known, reaching into the 13th and 17th centuries.

This sword is special because it has both a long blade and a long handle, also called a grip. This design means it was mainly used with two hands.

What is a Longsword?
- Parts of a Longsword
History of the Longsword
- When Were Longswords Used?
How Longswords Were Used
- Fighting Styles and Techniques
Longswords Today
Images for kids
See also

What is a Longsword?

A longsword is a large, two-handed sword. It was a very important weapon in Europe for about 200 years. Knights and soldiers used it in battles and for self-defense.

Longswords are known for their long, straight, double-edged blades. This means both sides of the blade were sharp. The average longsword was about 105 to 120 centimeters (around 41 to 47 inches) long.

Parts of a Longsword

Like most swords, a longsword has several main parts. The blade is the long, sharp part. The hilt is the handle area where you hold the sword.

The hilt includes the grip, which is long enough for two hands. It also has a crossguard, a bar that protects your hands. At the very end of the hilt is the pommel, a weighted part that helps balance the sword.

History of the Longsword

The longsword developed from earlier, smaller swords. As armor became stronger, swords needed to be more powerful to get through it. The longsword was the answer.

It became popular in the late Middle Ages. This was a time of many conflicts and changes in Europe. The longsword was a versatile weapon for this period.

When Were Longswords Used?

Longswords were most common between the mid-14th and mid-16th centuries. This period saw the end of the Middle Ages and the start of the Renaissance.

During this time, plate armor became very advanced. Longswords were effective against both armored and unarmored opponents. They were used by many different types of fighters.

How Longswords Were Used

The longsword was designed for two-handed use. This gave fighters more power and control. It allowed for strong cuts and powerful thrusts.

Fighters could also use the sword in unique ways. They might grab the blade with one hand (wearing a glove) to make short, powerful thrusts. This was called "half-swording."

Fighting Styles and Techniques

Many fighting manuals from the Middle Ages show how to use the longsword. These manuals teach different stances, movements, and attacks. They show how to fight both alone and against others.

Techniques included cutting, thrusting, and even using the pommel or crossguard as a blunt weapon. Longsword fighting was a complex martial art. It required skill, strength, and quick thinking.

Longswords Today

Today, longswords are no longer used in battle. However, they are very popular in historical martial arts. People learn the old fighting styles from the medieval manuals.

These groups practice historical European martial arts (HEMA). They use replica longswords to learn and preserve these ancient fighting skills. It's a way to connect with history.

Images for kids

1440s illustration showing how longswords were used.
An example of using a longsword with two hands, and also a "half-sword" grip, from around 1418.
Two people practicing with longswords without armor, from a 1467 manual by Hans Talhoffer.
A page from the Codex Wallerstein showing a "half-sword" thrust against another two-handed sword.