![]() The fifth style of crossguard is the popular “bow tie.” The quillons of this guard are flat and broad, extending further away from the guard’s core as they widen. ![]() Style Five “The Bow Tie” type of crossguard – Credits: The Sword in the Age of Chivalry The ends of the quillons can be cut off square or sometimes knobbed. However, in this style, the quillons are more elaborate and have downward tips, pointed and parallel with the tapering blade of the double-edged sword. The fourth style of crossguard features a straight horizontal tapering guard, as seen in previous styles. ![]() Style Four The European guard that features downward quillon endings – Credits: The Sword in the Age of Chivalry This simple yet effective weapon was popular in Europe during the 12th and 13th centuries. The edges of the metal quillons are sharply squared. This simple design features a stout, sturdy, broad, and flat rectangular core guard that is always short in length. Style Three Broad and wide guard for protective purposes – Credits: The Sword in the Age of Chivalry The midsection of this crossguard is often square and can be slightly octagonal, with the end of the crossguard quillons sharply squared off. The central section is wider, providing more power and strength, while the quillons are waisted and broadened toward their ends. This second style features a more elaborate design. Style Two A more elaborate yet simple crossguard design – Credits: The Sword in the Age of Chivalry The middle section can be square, circular, or octagonal. It was a common guard used in battle and remained present on some Renaissance swords.Ī less sophisticated version of this style has a plain straight rod that extends from the mid-guard core to the sides of the edges. The Vikings called this weapon Gaddhjalt, which in Old Icelandic translates to Spike-Hilt. This style of a crossguard usually tapers toward the end of the guard metal quillons and was first found dating back to the 10th century. They feature a metal horizontal bar that extends to the sides of the blade’s edge. The simplest type of crossguard was first discovered on Viking swords. Style One A simple straight crossguard that tapers toward the end – Credits: The Sword in the Age of Chivalry Despite the invalidity used as a dating criterion, Edward Oakeshott, a renowned sword researcher, classified these crossguards into twelve styles. A crossguard style linked with the 14th century has been found on a 9th-century Viking Sword. Research has shown that a sword’s cross (crossguard) alone does not provide historical context about the blade. Crossguard swords were designed and manufactured from the 10th century through the 17th century, with the pattern of the cross remaining consistent. The crossguard can be seen on the Persian Shamshir and the African Kaskara, though it first appeared and became popular in Europe. Many different types of crossguards were used throughout the world. Crossguard Types The many types of crossguards seen on European Swords – Credits: This guard style is made to serve as protection despite some people connecting it exclusively with the cruciform and Christianity. It is sometimes seen on prior swords, such as early bronze swords and even the ancient Greek Xiphos blades. It is believed that previous blades did not feature such guards because of larger shields, such as the Roman Gladius and their scutum (shield). The prototype crossguard for blades first appeared in European medieval swords, such as the Carolingian sword, referred to as the Viking sword today. The original term for this guard would simply be the cross hence it being referred to as a crossguard today. Sometimes they are referred to as metal quillons, which is not incorrect, but this term is derivative from the late 16th-century French term for quille, which translates to bowling pin. What is a Crossguard? A long metal rod that extends on both sides of the blade – Credits: Wiki MediaĪ crossguard is a type of guard primarily seen on European swords made of metal and serves as the main protection of the user’s hands. We will then examine some of the most popular swords with a crossguard and their benefits. In this article, we will review its types and their evolution through history. One of the most popular guards in the history of swords is the European crossguard which is simple yet effective. This was found in the crossguard sword, which protected its wielder’s arms and hands. Throughout antiquity, warriors used large shields for protection, but as time passed, another form of protection was needed. Swords are made to be weapons of war and are used in various dangerous situations.
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