Swords: Broad or Dainty

[Her Ladyship]

No: HPFGUIDX 45712

> (Melody)I mean a normal 12 year old boy could not wield that size 
>of a sword. 

This would be true of William Wallace's two-handed broadsword 
(technically not a Claymore), but I don't think a 12-year old boy 
would have any problem wielding a Viking-style blade. They were one-
handed weapons that were fullered (grooved) to make them lighter and 
more maneuverable. Swords with this simple, short-gripped design were 
common for nobles in the 10th and 11th centuries, though the cost of 
metal and smithing put them out of reach for most commoners. 

> (GreyWolf)  IMO, it's the sort of sword you'd expect from a rich  
roman family, well >preserved over the years. For one thing, it's 
the  sort of sword a 12-year-old could find >heavy, but still use 
with certain degree of aptitude: 

While it's true that the sword could have been influenced by the 
Romans, short swords of this kind were not common, especially not 
among the wealthy. And, IMO, having such lavish decorations on a 
dinky little short sword would be akin to putting custom wheels, 
hydraulics, and a huge rear spoiler on a 1985 Subaru. 

The most interesting aspect of the Gryffindor sword for me is the 
lavishly (cabochon?) jeweled handle, which speaks of a Byzantine 
influence.  The gems in combination with the engraving (not uncommon 
in itself), lead me to believe that the sword was used in ceremonies, 
which would make sense for a magical military leader (nods to Pippin 
and "why bother with a sword" thread), but metal was scarce enough 
that purely ornamental swords did not really exist. Besides, Beowulf 
supposedly slew Grendel with a jeweled sword, and rubies were harder 
than many types of metal available at the time. :)

Incidentally, the illustration of the sword in the American books 
gave the sword a curved blade like a scimitar or tachi, but getting 
into non-European cultures is another kettle of fish entirely
 though 
I'd love to hear an argument for it!

Still, a jeweled handle would give me awful blisters in any kind of 
sustained fight unless the decoration were limited to the pommel. I'm 
such a softy!

Mun42
Former Fencing Coach