Period sword and shield lenghts..Circa 11th and 12th century

Kormak · Post by **Kormak** » Fri May 22, 2009 6:29 pm

Greetings !!

I have found some info online and wanted to check the source as well as ask a question or two to the fighter community as a whole...

I am looking at a 11th to 12 century persona, I am looking for some verification on the sword and shield lenghts from that perticular area.. I realize its not very perticular, just that I dont know if a hundred years changes arms in a very drastic way...

What was the average sword, and kite shield lenghts in that span ???

I found some sources online, 36+ for the swords, and 2x4 average for shields...

Are these correct ??

To the second question. For those of you who fight in this period with a kite what size do you find to work best for your style ?? Also which style do you fight ? Closed form, 3/4 form, open ???

Also in the same vein, which size sword ??

Thanks for your time and thoughts..

Kenwrec Wulfe · Post by **Kenwrec Wulfe** » Fri May 22, 2009 6:57 pm

This images here gives you a great size ratio for the norman kite shield.

circa 1141

circa 1151

And then, of course, you have the Bayeux Tapestry (circa est 1070)
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Harold_dead_bayeux_tapestry.png[/img]

[img]http://www.igshistoryonline.co.uk/Images/Bayeux%20tapestry%20-%20Harold.jpg[/img]

I would use the proportion of the man to the shield and make one a size that is proportionate to your size.

Payn · Post by **Payn** » Fri May 22, 2009 7:02 pm

In looking through the wallace catalog, I figured out (and later had confirmed) that the lengths mentioned for swords in the catalog are usually blade lengths. Many are in the 31"-33" range. Add around 4 inches for the hilt, and you should be in around 36".

I can't remember where it's at, but there is a late 9/early 10's Scandanavian sword that measure in at over 42"

Oswyn_de_Wulferton · Post by **Oswyn_de_Wulferton** » Fri May 22, 2009 9:35 pm

Also, keep in mind that for the top image, the uppermost layer hits about their knees and the lower about mid-shin. The other thing to look at is whether you are comparing a fot soldier or a mounted warrior (predominantly). Swords sound about right, shields are variable depending on the size of the guy. Anyone have measurements for that extant cut-off kite?

Kormak · Post by **Kormak** » Sat May 23, 2009 7:19 am

The dimensions on that cut down kite are 40inches long, I can not find a width measure how ever..

My only book , The Normans Gravett and Nicolle Osprey, has that lenght but no width that I have found anyway...

So 36 as average sword lenght, excellent....

Oswyn
Well to be honest right now I am looking to get more info on both...

Donald St. Colin · Post by **Donald St. Colin** » Tue May 26, 2009 11:36 pm

Oakshott on sword dimentions: http://www.oakeshott.org/Typo.html