Sword History

Sword history stretches far back in Europe. In ancient Rome, nobles and warriors had swords and were trained extensively how to use them. During the Dark Ages, local kings would grant nobles and lesser nobles called vassals certain property in exchange for military service when necessary. The sons of these nobles were be trained as knights. Often the sons of noblemen would become knights who trained in the art of sword fighting from an early age. The blade had come to be associated with knighthood and nobility even after the Middle Ages in sword history. In England, for example, it was the nobles who would come to the king’s aid in times of crisis and would often serve as generals in the king’s army and it was considered a duty and a service to the king. With nobility came certain responsibilities such as defending the crown when necessary and those who did not were shunned by high society.

Musketeers in France served directly under the king and carried the rapier thrusting sword wherever they went for protection and sudden conflict. Traditionally, it was the nobleman who were the trained fighters while the ordinary men who were usually peasants and working people who were provided little weaponry and the training was often rushed in time for battle. In sword history, nobleman had the leisure time to perfect their sword fighting techniques and over time the sword often made a nobleman’s wardrobe. The nobleman carried the sword wherever he went in case of sudden conflict and the blade eventually became a part of a nobleman’s wardrobe ensemble.