Article by Diane Hamments
Swords, the Noblest of Weapons.
Of all the different weapons that are in use today, and of all the different weapons that have existed throughout history, swords are by far the noblest. Yes, swords are brutally effective weapons. But they are far more than that.
In the past, reigning monarchs and members of royal families, members of the nobility and various other prestigious men, all carried swords not just as weapons, but as a traditional, highly visible sign of their status. Even today, swords and their close relatives – such as scimitars – continue to be a cross-cultural signal of high achievement or high social status.
In the military, swords were, and still are, traditionally carried only by commisioned officers and, in some cases, mounted cavalrymen. Swords are used to cut, thrust, strike and slash, and they have the longest reach of any edged weapon. During the Middle Ages, any knight considered his sword to be his most important weapon, and with the possible exception of his horse, probably the most important possession he owned. The edged weapons carried by rank and file foot soldiers, usually knives, dirks or daggers, were much smaller than swords and much less deadly, with much shorter blades. These smaller bladed weapons were also much less prestigious to carry and conveyed no signal of the bearer’s social status.
Sword Nomenclature.
A sword consists of a very long single-edged or double-edged blade and an attached hilt, which is a collective term that includes the pommel, the grip and a simple or elaborate guard. The swords of some cultures use straight blades, while other cultures designed swords or sword-type weapons with slightly curved blades. But the basic underlying design of all swords is remarkably uniform. Swords are typically carried while sheathed in protective leather or metal scabbards that are attached to the waist. Swords that are intended to be used as weapons are usually quite utilitarian and are not elaborately decorated as are many ceremonial swords.
Swords in War and in Peace, Past and Present.
Swords have been used as weapons since time immemorial, in hundreds of different cultures and in just about every region of the world. Throughout the passage of time, weaponry swords have been made of bronze, iron and steel (later, tempered steel) and, as noted above, these types of swords were designed for killing efficiency rather than beauty.
But in addition to being used as coldly efficient weapons of war, swords have also been used for ceremonial purposes for at least one thousand years. And although they are no longer used as actual weapons, they continue to be used ceremonially. Swords play an important role in some military weddings and in certain military rituals, and they still are part of a commissioned officer’s dress uniform. The investiture of a knight (being “dubbed” a knight) traditionally was, and still is, performed by the man being touched on the shoulder with the flat of the sword of his monarch or lord. Swords are even used by Masons during certain Masonic rituals and ceremonies.
Ceremonial swords are most often made of gold or sterling silver, and their blades and scabbards are often very elaborately engraved or inscribed. Sometimes the sword guard and/or the scabbard are bejeweled.
Traditional swords, sabres, rapiers, cutlasses and scimitars. Swords that were used in mortal combat, such as Japanese Samurai Katana swords, and ceremonial swords such Masonic swords. They all have a noble past, and they all signify tradition and prestige.
Diane Hamments is a freelance author who writes on various subjects including Swords, and Memorabilia. Visit www.societygifts.com for more information.
