English Tudor period swords

urbanspaceman · 21st December 2021, 10:09 PM

After the Arming sword but before the Rapier, around the time of Henry 8th's early reign here in England, what was worn by nobility.
Was there a distinct and sudden appearance of the Rapier or was there a gradual transition with something in between.

Triarii · 22nd December 2021, 10:59 AM

A number of early basket hilts feature in paintings and drawings and there is for example the Mary Rose sword, which must pre-date 1545. Claude Blaire has a good article on their evolution ('The early basket hilt in Britain') in "Scottish Weapons and Fortifications" edited by David Caldwell.

urbanspaceman · 22nd December 2021, 07:15 PM

I was particularly interested in what our King Henry VIII would have worn at court.
He had, at his disposal, the Greenwich armoury staffed by Germans et al, so he would not be spoilt for choice.
Assuming 'The King' was wearing a particular style, then it seems likely all courtiers would follow suit.

21st December 2021, 10:09 PM	#1
urbanspaceman Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Tyneside. North-East England Posts: 532	English Tudor period swords After the Arming sword but before the Rapier, around the time of Henry 8th's early reign here in England, what was worn by nobility. Was there a distinct and sudden appearance of the Rapier or was there a gradual transition with something in between.

22nd December 2021, 07:15 PM	#3
urbanspaceman Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Tyneside. North-East England Posts: 532	Henry VIII I was particularly interested in what our King Henry VIII would have worn at court. He had, at his disposal, the Greenwich armoury staffed by Germans et al, so he would not be spoilt for choice. Assuming 'The King' was wearing a particular style, then it seems likely all courtiers would follow suit.

22nd December 2021, 10:59 AM	#2
Triarii Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Bristol Posts: 113	A number of early basket hilts feature in paintings and drawings and there is for example the Mary Rose sword, which must pre-date 1545. Claude Blaire has a good article on their evolution ('The early basket hilt in Britain') in "Scottish Weapons and Fortifications" edited by David Caldwell.