How did Crusaders carry their swords?
The Crusades, which took place from the 11th to the 13th centuries, saw Christian armies march into battle against Muslim forces in the Middle East. The armory of the Crusader knight was characterized by heavily armored men, lances, and swords. Today, we will explore how Crusaders carried their swords.
** The Sword Handle:
The sword, also known as the great sword, was a mainstay of the Crusading knight’s arsenal. Typically, the sword handle would end in a richly decorated pommel [1], known as the crossguard [2], made of metal, wood or ivory. The grip also had a leather or rope wrapping to prevent the warrior’s hand from slipping * [3].
Convenient Storage
To travel and store their swords for long periods, Crusader knights used sablons [5], also known as scabbards [6], which securely fastened to the war belt [7], usually on the other side of the strong (right) hand [8]. They would draw the sword "cross-body" style, with the sword-hand holding the scabbard back and forth.
Other methods of sword carrying might have been employed by occasional use, but Cross-body carrying remained widely accepted and utilized throughout much of the period.
Sources:
- Quora – Far and Away the Most Common Way**
- Battle Merchant Blogger – Saber Transport
- Armor Museum – Medieval Armor
Tidbits
• The Takedown request source mentions that attaching the saber to the belt, "usually on the opposite side of the strong hand… was the most common was."
• According to multiple sources, carrying the shield on the back or thigh, and in the armpit of the helmet were less common.
Note: The takedown order request is based on your content.