12th-13th Century Jinete Swords?

[Reventlov]

Originally Posted by anoakenstaff

Salaams, all.

I've been a lurker for a few years, and I wanted to make an account to ask about a couple things I thought were related enough to fit in one thread.
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Hello, I'm coming to this a little late but this is a great topic, and I encourage you to continue and share your research. It sounds like you are making excellent use of comparative material and you have already alluded to several points I would want to make, but I will anyway share some perhaps familiar material that may offer some new leads.

A variety of lobed or trefoil-shaped pommels were definitely used throughout Western Europe during the high medieval period, so I think you are right to reject any influence more exotic than possibly Andalusia. There are almost no surviving examples, but consistent artistic depictions suggest various trends in design. These forms are only barely covered in Oakeshott's typology, so there is plenty of space for further research.

The closest analogue of the hilt depicted in the Spanish Beatus manuscript you mention is one that Oakeshott did publish at least once (Records of the Medieval Sword). Often described as a "Viking" sword, it was reportedly excavated in Italy, near Florence.



The next closest, from a grave in Sweden, is more clearly derivative from Scandinavian styles of the late Viking age, which include many lobed pommel forms. Lobed forms continue to be depicted well after Christianization, including in the famous stave church of Urnes.



Scandinavian influence seems to be reflected by the frequency with which lobed pommels are found throughout the British Isles, with identical forms often turning up at great distances in Norway or Iceland (the Cawood and Koysogarden swords discussed by Oakeshott being the best-known examples). Many stray pommels are now recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme. These pommels can plausibly be dated well into the the 13th century based on comparison with knightly effigies (attached from Temple Church, Furness Abbey, Jerpoint).




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[Reventlov]

Paintings and miniatures of this period from France and England sometimes include depictions of trefoil pommels, sometimes in combination with the curved guards also seen in Spain (and the Jerpoint stone above).



13th and 14th century seal matrices are a good source for hilt variants. Among these, the seal of Charles of Anjou is perhaps the the clearest depiction of a fleur-de-lys pommel, as befits a member of French royalty. The seal and coins of the Latin emperor, Philip of Courtenay are similar.




Particularly in Italian art, the trefoil form is sometimes abstracted and more resembles three conjoined discs or globes. This style also seems to be shown on some seals, like that of James III of Mallorca.



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[Reventlov]

Swords with elaborately curled guards often appear in Spanish art, more often with discoid pommels, but lobed forms appear too, as in the effigy of Prince Felipe of Castle (d. 1274). Usually the curvature is towards the blade, but the reverse is also seen, as in the Alluye effigy.



While the style may be originally Andalusian, similar swords are shown used by both Christians and Muslims, even alternately appearing in either the hands of St. James the Moorslayer or his foes.



In addition to the swords from Seville and Alava shared already, at least one more "early jineta"-type sword, was found near the Templar church in Tomar, Portugal. Regarding the Alava sword, a researcher has recently shared his preliminary findings which suggest the blade is in fact the first known example of an VLFBERHT inscription from Spain. His presentation is available on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9qLYgeyTHQ



- Mark

[anoakenstaff]

These are all extremely helpful. The effigy in the second reply is essentially my last missing piece to this puzzle, besides the belt. Thank you very much for your reply, Mark!

I do just want to let you know that some of the images seem to not have loaded correctly.

Edit: Whoops, that seems to have been a problem on my end. All fixed now!

[anoakenstaff]

Just to add to this thread- here is an interesting sword from the Testament of Alfonso II, from the Book of Testaments, early 12th century.

[Almonzo]

I find that my sword
Looks a little like these swords.

[anoakenstaff]

I remember your Thread, Almonzo. That's a very interesting sword!

I have still to get to the foundational literature on Spanish arms, but I would be a little surprised if that sword was Spanish, or from 13th century Europe in general. However, with that said, you do see small curved guards slightly similar to that in, for instance, the El Puig altarpiece.