12th or 13th century sword

Jim McDougall · 29th December 2022, 09:17 PM

I would agree on the XXII classification,
Oakeshott (1960, p.202) notes, "...after 1100, swords were alike-though in infinite variety".
Still efforts are made at designating some sort of categorical designations.

On p.206, Oakeshott notes on of these type XII c.1265 to a figure who was a benefactor of Naumburg Cathedral with a 'peaked' type pommel of similar form and notes further that nearly identical hilt found in Hungary.
It is also mentioned that this type (XII) are noted in good number in the Maciejowski Bible of c. 1250 (now held in Pierpont-Morgan library in N.Y.).

The cross is apparently not really a viable element of identification, but the blade and pommels seem most tenable.

This pommel and blade seem to best align with German war swords of this period 12th-13th c. and the pommel (Oakeshott type E p.224; Geibig 1991, type #19) noting probable German pref.).

It seems that swords in these river or lake finds, as typically not near bridges etc. suggest, according to Oakeshott, to have been result of the ritual type cases (as in Arthurian legend, 'Lady in the Lake' ) and were apparently thrown in as a kind of offering or invocation. It would be interesting to look more into the intents and meanings of these kinds of 'offerings'.

Very much looking forward to the input from those here well versed in these areas of arms study.

29th December 2022, 09:17 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,189	I would agree on the XXII classification, Oakeshott (1960, p.202) notes, "...after 1100, swords were alike-though in infinite variety". Still efforts are made at designating some sort of categorical designations. On p.206, Oakeshott notes on of these type XII c.1265 to a figure who was a benefactor of Naumburg Cathedral with a 'peaked' type pommel of similar form and notes further that nearly identical hilt found in Hungary. It is also mentioned that this type (XII) are noted in good number in the Maciejowski Bible of c. 1250 (now held in Pierpont-Morgan library in N.Y.). The cross is apparently not really a viable element of identification, but the blade and pommels seem most tenable. This pommel and blade seem to best align with German war swords of this period 12th-13th c. and the pommel (Oakeshott type E p.224; Geibig 1991, type #19) noting probable German pref.). It seems that swords in these river or lake finds, as typically not near bridges etc. suggest, according to Oakeshott, to have been result of the ritual type cases (as in Arthurian legend, 'Lady in the Lake' ) and were apparently thrown in as a kind of offering or invocation. It would be interesting to look more into the intents and meanings of these kinds of 'offerings'. Very much looking forward to the input from those here well versed in these areas of arms study.