The Role of the Two Handed Sword in War
Hello and welcome to my first post! This will be a big one, so get comfortable. Often it is said "We don't know how zweihanders/montantes/spadoni were used in war," but frankly, this is far from the truth. There is plenty of information as to their purpose and role in battle, but there is some piecing together to do. Before I continue, it must be noted zweihander, schlachtschwert, slaugh sword, slaughter sword, montante, spadone, espadon, two handed sword, and sometimes longsword are one and the same. Even though some of these names are more common today, and perhaps more clear, I will use the term "two handed sword," as it is the most common term in period English texts. Matthäus Schwarz in 1521, Klaidungsbüchlein Why the Two Handed sword? Why a two handed sword and not a halberd or partisan? The two handed sword has a couple of advantages: it's mean, and it's (for the most part) all blade. This naturally lends itself towards being great at area denia