Falchion Sword

[Wisp]

Wiki says the Falchion was around since 11th century.  If true could a Norman Archer carry one or no?

Thanks a heap,
Will

[SirRichardBear]

I don't see why not its a heavy blade which could be used around camp to cut wood for fires, shape tent poles etc.  A archer would want a weapon that could server many fuctions besides just defense and attack and the Falchion seems to fit that description.

[I. Stewart]

AAoMtK has it's first reference in the thirtheenth century.  That time makes sense for development because of the armor of the period.  Ridgid body defences as well as full plate helms were becoming popular.  The wider, heavier blade of the falchion was useful for cleaving armor.

A falchion would be appropriate for an archer of the 13th century later.  To answer your question, no.  It would not have been developed yet for a norman persona.

[Wisp]

AAoMtK has it's first reference in the thirtheenth century.  That time makes sense for development because of the armor of the period.  Ridgid body defences as well as full plate helms were becoming popular.  The wider, heavier blade of the falchion was useful for cleaving armor.

A falchion would be appropriate for an archer of the 13th century later.  To answer your question, no.  It would not have been developed yet for a norman persona.

What is AAoMtK?

Will

[temper]

Messer is a precurser and contemporary to the falchion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gro%C3%9Fes_Messer
(I'd give a better reference but I'm busy at work)

[I. Stewart]

What is AAoMtK?

Will

Arms and Armour of the Medieval Knight by David Edge & John Miles Paddock

This is a very good book, essential for any serious reenactor.  There are usually a few on Amazon or eBay, anywhere from $30-$80.

[ALS]

The earliest illustrated evidence of falchions as well as the first known surviving one the " Conyer's " falchion are both 13th century.

[BLAKDUKE]

O.K. time for someone to educate me.   When I hear the term "Falcion" I conjur up this mental picture that in no way resembles the sword depicted in the Wikipedia article.  While in that I also looked up Scimitar and that is close to my minds picture, but not
exactly the same.  Now I hate to use this reference, because I am quite sure it is exagerated, however in Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves,  Morgan Freeman carries this huge Scimitar like blade and that is what I thought a Falchion was.   Is there any actual sword that has that shape and if so what is it called.

[ALS]

Thats because what you're seeing in the wiki article is a Gross Messer ( long knife) a Germanic type of falcion. What you're picturing form the flic is a Hollywoodization designed to make a good movie not convey history.

The problem comes from the fact that there were a large array of various curved or straight, clipped pointed cuting swords used in Europe and Asia known by a wide variety of names. Examples of falcions: http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/displayimage.php?album=40&pos=17 , http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/displayimage.php?album=40&pos=72 , http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/displayimage.php?album=40&pos=75 , http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/displayimage.php?album=40&pos=77
Here is an article on an MRL falcion and the original Thorpe falcion its based on http://www.myarmoury.com/review_mrl_falc.html
In this thread http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=13370&highlight=falcion the seventh post down has pictures of the Conyers falcion. Heres a link to a gallery of various European cutting swords illustrating the wide variety of types and names http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/thumbnails.php?album=40&page=1
and heres pics of a few original Sinclair sabers I own http://www.merctailor.com/originals.php?original_pk=91 , http://www.merctailor.com/originals.php?original_pk=95 , http://www.merctailor.com/originals.php?original_pk=88 .

These are all Western an Eastern European swords, for a discussion of Middle Eastern swords with alot of pics of various types read this thread http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=81&highlight=tulwar.

[I. Stewart]

I can't think of a falchion as having a clipped point.  I'm probably wrong but it just seems like something else to me.  Looks too eastern.  I have always pictured the blade shape on wiki.