Definitely a fantastic sword!!! There is something about the mysterious charm in these deeply patinated yet intact swords of this kind of antiquity.
It would be interesting to know what sort of provenance is with this piece.
While many swords of this age are river finds, others are of course from bog areas etc. and I have been studying as much as I can find on the kind of condition as varied in different circumstances.
It is indeed an exciting notion to consider the nicks or notches at the blade edges as combat damage, but is it possible these might also be from deterioration of the goethite in the edges, which seem not only obviously the thinner part of the blade, but often resulting from metal variations. As the blades were forged, typically different components and impurities would have been distributed irregularly throughout.
In reading various Oakeshott works, these kinds of infractions can be seen in wide range on many of the excavated swords and along the edges, from relatively minor gaps or nicks, to larger open sections missing along the edges.
Looking at the type of sword, as noted in Oakeshotts typology as a Type XVI, and presumably of c. 1300-50, it is interesting to consider what events might have been occurring in these times. Along with that it is important to note that though these typologies work well as points of reference for classification, they are largely unreliable in accurately dating a sword without corroborating evidence or provenance.
"..Type XVI is really a compromise between types XIV and XV, for the upper half of the blade retains the old flat fullered section while the lower half (the business end of the sword) is four sided and acutely pointed".
Oakeshott , "Archaeology of Weapons", 1962, p.309)
During what is referenced as a transitional period (1320-50) in armour where more reinforced plates to old harness of mail, these also 'transitional' swords developed. Though well within the long period of the Crusades (1096-1487) it seems that the 14th century was relatively without any major campaigns which would fall into that broad category .
Looking to the pommel, indeed the Oakeshott Type G, a simple disc, the cross symbol is most interesting . While earlier swords were inclined to have the cross in their blades, the fashion of placing crosses in the pommel increased. Naturally this might also be considered transitional, but certainly such use occurred earlier as well.
The use of the cross, with its strong presence in variation in heraldry, is tempting to try to use to identify ownership, fealty or other classifications, as far as generally found, we can presume it was primarily a talismanically placed device. In the pommel, which often carried religious relics or charms this seems well placed.
The crosses most often seen were the Greek cross or the Cross Potent, but this is the Cross Fleury, with the arms ended in split leaves, as in the Fluer-de Lis. This one is unusual in having the bases of each arm end rounded as in a bud, rather than intersecting.
Naturally it seems almost instinctive to regard this as French, however in those times things were not quite as clear cut nationally.
Jean Luc, your sword here has inspired me to pretty much 'hit the books', so I beg everyone's indulgence as I rattle away here in another of my 'epic' ramblings. I wanted to learn as much as I could about this sword and its times, so these are the results of my findings.
An absolutely fascinating and exciting piece of history!
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