Late medieval swords from Southeastern Europe

Reventlov · 28th February 2023, 10:33 PM

The Topkapi holds one other Moldavian sword, with a very similar hilt but different blade. The pommel medallions show the Moldavian aurochs, but without the accompanying star, crescent, and rose, and on the other side the arms of the house of Dragoș (Hungarian: Drágffy), descended from the first voivode of Moldavia in the 14th century. Stephen the Great's son Alexander was married to the daughter of Bartholomew Drágffy, who was count of the Székelys (1479-88) and voivode of Transylvania (1493-98).

The simplified Moldavian arms might refer to Stephen's predecessor as ruler of Moldavia, and the blade also appears to be older and simpler, with a single fuller. According to David Alexander, it carries marks in the shape of a unicorn and another quadruped, presumably a wolf. This combination occurs on many German swords of the 14th and 15th centuries.

- Mark

28th February 2023, 10:33 PM	#4
Reventlov Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 138	The Topkapi holds one other Moldavian sword, with a very similar hilt but different blade. The pommel medallions show the Moldavian aurochs, but without the accompanying star, crescent, and rose, and on the other side the arms of the house of Dragoș (Hungarian: Drágffy), descended from the first voivode of Moldavia in the 14th century. Stephen the Great's son Alexander was married to the daughter of Bartholomew Drágffy, who was count of the Székelys (1479-88) and voivode of Transylvania (1493-98). The simplified Moldavian arms might refer to Stephen's predecessor as ruler of Moldavia, and the blade also appears to be older and simpler, with a single fuller. According to David Alexander, it carries marks in the shape of a unicorn and another quadruped, presumably a wolf. This combination occurs on many German swords of the 14th and 15th centuries. - Mark Attached Images