What is a Broadsword?

A look at the origin of the term broadsword, broad sword or broad-sword. Featuring a mix of antique swords and high quality reproductions.

[raphlvlogs]

basket hilted broadswords are functionally very similar to the side sword, both of them are just post-medieval arming swords.

[SenTenshi]

Thanks for this new series of videos, sometimes it's tricky to tell what is what.

🤺 Keep it up ! 🤺

[Odwolf]

When I discuss about blade profiles, I stick with 4 terms that describe how the sword was designed to be used; Thrust centric (e.g. smallswords, estoc), thrust and cut (e.g. rapiers, side swords), cut and thrust(e.g. broadswords, infantry sabers), and cut centric (e.g. falchions, or deep curved sabers). There's obviously a lot of play with this sort of terminology, and exceptions, but it helps give some rough estimate as an intro. For example, some tulwars can thrust moderately, but their main emphasis is cutting. It's describing rapiers that I mainly use the term, thrust and cut. People I talk with mostly think of rapiers as only being used in the thrust, like a giant smallsword. When I refer to them as a cut and thrust, they take that to mean like a broadsword and end up more confused. So when I describe them as a thrust and cut, the use being more emphasized on the thrust but also capable of a decent cut is when it starts making sense.

[eberp]

Thanks Nick, really enjoyed the vid. One question, if the back edge isn't used in the fight, why is it there? It seems like it would be unnecessary work for a smith.

[ramibairi]

Nick how would we classify the Schiavona and the Dussack ?

[July__Frost]

Thank you! Now, with all this historical context it finally has a sence. When you have only smallswords and broadswords,
leaving behind all others,
it's pretty logical. I will be glad to hear your thoughts about hilt development. Cause, well, adding at least knuckle bow looks pretty obvious from here.

[kevinnorwood]

PLEASE do one about what defines a "Bastard Sword". That's the one I want to see the most, because that is my personal favorite Cruciform Sword variant, and I'm still trying to completely figure out what characteristics make up a "true" Bastard Sword. I've heard other sword experts talk about what defines a Bastard Sword (they mostly say it's a really modern term), and one thing that sticks with me that continues to kinda confuse me is "All Bastard Swords are Longswords, but not all Longswords are Bastard Swords." REALLY hope you'll explain that concept when/if you do an episode on Bastard Swords.

[CDKohmy]

Where does the term pallasche fit in? Is it simply a broadsword for cavalry?

[jasonwallace]

Great series! Where did you get that training baskethilted broadsword? It looks really nice!

[blairbuskirk]

Short answer a sword that is double edged and is broad usually at least three finger widths, and is either a predominantly cut centric or compromise cut and thrust blade. Term of broadsword could viably be used to describe several different types of sword ranging from migration era type X (10) (viking sword) to the Scottish basket hilted claymore ( broadsword ) basically a double edged backsword. And several variations that came to prominence between the 10th and 18th centuries. At least within European History.

[SuperOtter]

Thank you for making this one, Nick. I had never seen a slot hilt dragoon sword before. Found it fascinating and would love a closer look. Curious about the longer blade it had. Weren't dragoon troops supposed to dismount when they fought? Or did they dismount fight with the musket and used the sword while mounted?
Thanks again for taking the time to put this presentation together! Cheers

[Psycho-Ssnake]

That arming sword you showed in the beginning was a very nice looking one. What one was it and would you recommend it?

[RainMakeR_Workshop]

I remember a few years ago when a friend of mine was adamantly arguing with me that an Arming Sword is called a Broadsword.
He still genuinely thinks his lifetime of DnD, fantasy books and LARP means that he knows more than me about swords... Despite the fact I've been into Medieval History and HEMA for several years.

[fredricknolan]

Nick that is a Biltmore basket guard. A Claymore is use for capping horses knees as they were ridden by. A knight face plant then he loses his head as the claymore is use above the shoulders.

[aphiz]

So, a broadsword is simply twice as thicker as small sword...

So, what do you called the sword that's practically like a plank with sharp edges?😅

[sergelecluse]

Terminology is such a funny thing. If it changes throughout history and even on who is talking, the only way of knowing what they mean is background and context. In my opinion, it would be far easier to stick to the contemporary convention and give these swords the name most people will associate with what is commonly meant (I hope this makes sense). For me, it would be backsword for a single edged one and broadsword for the double edged sword. It is not because someone in 18C called a sword laundry that I would question how it would be called today. No offence, but I'm not really in agreement with your conclusion.

[raphlvlogs]

are Scottish broadswords still in use today?

[chroma]

1 kilo cavalry sword with a pommel is heavy?

[HebaruSan]

For some reason I intuitively associate this term with a two-edged sword with minimal profile tapering, i.e. the cutting edges are parallel. I realize that has no historical validity though (and there may not even have been any such objects).

[brandezboy]

Fine. I'll stop calling it a pallasch 😑