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.
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 denial, which is especially important for smaller groups of men.
"The two hand Sword, as it is used now a days being four handfuls in the handle, or more, having also the great cross, was found out, to the end it should be handled one to one at an equal match, as other weapons, of which I have entreated. But because one may with it (as a galleon among many galleys) resist many Swords, or other weapons: Therefore in the wars, it is used to be place near unto the Ensign or Ancient, for the defense thereof, because, being of itself able to contend with many, it may the better safeguard the same. And it is accustomed to be carried in the City, as well by night as by day, when it so chances that a few are constrained to withstand a great many."
"The which manner of skirmishing, besides that, it is most gallant to behold, being accompanied with exceeding swiftness in delivery, (for otherwise it works no such effect) it also most profitable, not properly of itself, because men considering the fury of the sword, which greatly amazes them, are not so resolute to do that, which otherwise they could not choose but do."
- Idem, Ragione di adoprar sicuramente l'Arme, 1570
"The former difficulties with this Edict easily wrought upon Pizarro's men, all but twelve, to leave him, for the rest went over with the Ship fitted out by Rios with succors to the Island Gallo, where Pizarro resided, having also fail'd in his second Expedition. But although he had made two bad Voyages, yet having an inclination to a third attempt, he went to Spain, desiring of the Emperor to be Governor of Peru, which he had discover'd; for besides his Plea of Merits he had taken possession of the Country twice by Landing there, intended for the use of his Imperial Majesty; one of his Sea-men to that purpose flourishing his two-handed Sword over his Head, the glistering of which Sword so frighted the Natives, that none of them durst come near him."
- John Ogilby, America, 1671
"The Wiffelers on foote, iiii.C. [300] propre and lyght persones all apparelled in whyte sylke or Ierkyns of lether cutte, with whyte hose and shoes, euery man hauyng a iauelyn or slaughsword to keepe the people in aray & chaynes about their neckes, & whyte fethers in their cappes."
- Edward Hall, The Vnion of the Two Noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancastre & Yorke, 1548
As di Grassi says, the two handed sword (in the hands of a skilled man) can defend against multiple opponents, but also it's also quite a menacing weapon. So beyond its application as a bodyguard weapon, we can already start to see why some soldiers chose to carry them to war.
Those Who Carried the Two Handed Sword on the Field
Two handed swords were carried by the same men who carried halberds, partisans, swords and targets, pollaxes, &c. That is, the captains, the ensign and its guard, sergeants, corselets, and sentinels.
"Vincentio Corso too was a captain of infantry, & Malfatto & Gabanello, who in the company of the guard, of the other times, & especially in that battle having gained praise for great bravery, felling the enemies with a two-handed sword, he had opened the way for the Marquis..."
- Paolo Giovio, Dell Historie del Svo Tempo, 1551, Translation by Me
"And here also Zambrone, and Antio Encher, men of very great spirit & of terrible stature, wielding with great skill two two-handed great swords, & being in the midst of the battle of the Germans; after they had hacked many pikes, & cut to pieces many foes, finally facing against the entire battle, they died miserably."
- Idem, Dell Historie del Svo Tempo, 1551, Translation by Me
Zambrone is noted to be a "courageous" captain of "great valor" on the page before.
"I wish no Halbards into the hands of any that hath no skill to vse the same, for it is a weapon that can abide no blowes, as the Bill wil do, but yet in the hands of officers, & such as hath skill how to vse the same, it is a very good weapon, but the same must be handled delicately with the push onely, and quickly drawne backe: the cause that the French officers do vse them with such long staues and pykes, is to encounter with the Lance-knights [landsknecht], who do vse being Sargiants of foote-bandes, to carrie verie good long swordes or Slaugh swordes."
- Humfrey Barwick, A Breefe Discourse, 1592
"When the great Princes of Germanie... are disposed to make warre one against another… their milicia consisting of Harquebuziers, Piquers, and some Halbarders, with a fewe slath swords for the gard of their Ensignes..."
- John Smythe, Certain Discourses, 1589
Their Role on the Field of Battle
First, what is not their role? They are not used to "counter" pike blocks, nor are they just for show, as a good few have claimed. In the pike battles/battalions, they are for the guard of the ensign and captains (as stated above), for the pell mell (whether forced or otherwise), and the execution (of the rout), where in both the pike would often be overlong. Outside, they are for the defense of the shot against infantry assaults and to augment its weaponry for when they fall to the sword. During sieges, they are for the breach, both for the assault and defense thereof, and for the sally and the defense against the said sallies. In general, they are used in areas that pikes are not entirely effective.
The keener-eyed amongst you would notice that this is the exact same role as other short arms (such as halberds, bills, partisans, &c.), and you would be correct! They are not unique in their role; the men carrying two handed swords are not a part of a special forces group, but rather they are carrying the weapon they prefer or told to carry. The differences only occur with how they operate individually inside that role, but fencing is outside of the scope of this post.
"Gent.
So I perceiue you would quight exclude all halberds and bils out of your battell, and so not at all to be vsed.
Capt.
Conclude not so short vpon me, because I giue them no place within the body of the battell. For if you remember, in our former discourses, at the equall sortment of weapons, I allowed to euery hundred of men 8 or 10 halberds. The which bils and halberds with other short weapons as swords and targets, and long swords, and such like, shall serue as in a place of best seruice for them, to mingle with your naked troupes of shot, and also (placed with some pikes) for the gard of the cariage and munition and ordinance, or for execution if the enemy begin to breake and flye, with sundry such seruices not contained in the body of the battell."
- Robert Barret, The Theorike and Practike of Moderne VVarres, 1598
"THe Espadon is a kind of a Sword, whose Two-edged Blade is very long and broad, and whereof the Haft, which I dare not call Handle, because it is a foot and a half long, is made cross-wayes. It cannot be used but with both Hands, in a Breach or behind a Palissadoe."
- Louis de Gaya, A Treatise of the Arms and Engines of VVar, 1678
"The Swisse, in killing and laying on with their two-handed Swords, cried out Montdevi, Montdevi, where those of their Nation had received no quarter, and in short, all that made head against us on our side of the field were slain."
- Blaize de Montluc, The Commentaries of Messire Blaize de Montluc, 1592
The Swissers here are chasing and slaying a fleeing enemy.
"Neuerthelesse he well liking this persuasion, went to the said campe the second of Iune, where after a dissembled interteinement, & quaffing of wine, Gilliam Buske burning with desire of reuenge for his fathers and vncles death, and ministring quarrelling talke, issued out of the tent, and made a fraie vpon Oneils men, and then gathering togither his Scots in a throng, suddenlie entred the tent againe, who there with their slaughter swords hewed in péeces Shane Oneil, his secretarie, and all his companie, except a verie few which escaped by flight."
- Raphael Holinshed, The Third volume of Chronicles, 1587
"... their rows are very well tight from side to side, but really large from breast to shoulders; so much that from one row to the other there is more space than a pike, and in that space, all along the shoulders of the first row, they put halberds, and spadoni, eight or ten common steps, more or less, between each other, and so in the second and third row too (if so many short weapons are found among them) to damage, and shake those men on horse, or on foot, who might break the first row of their big square, so that they cannot pass to the second row without being disordered, and so do then the other rows successively one after the other, up to one particular moment when they cannot stop them further and so they all charge together to try a last chance in a zuffa [brawl]; and this is what I have seen in fact exactly in many battles, where I found myself, (and never otherwise) of Swiss and Germans."
- Giulio Cesare Brancaccio, Della Nvova Disciplina & Vera Arte Militare, 1585, Translation by The Spadone Project
So now that we understand that two-handed swords have the same use as halberds and the like, we can begin to work backwards.
"Gent.
Why, would you not allow short weapon in the field?
Capt.
Truly no, not many, yet would I not exclude them all. For I know them necessarie for many peeces of seruice; as to performe executiō if the enemie break, or flie; to mingle with shot to back them if neede be; to passe with Conuoyes, & to stand by your Artillerie; to creepe along trenches, and enter into mynes, where the Pike would be ouerlong; but best for the myne or breach is the Target of prooffe, short sword, and Pistoll: but for the plaine field, neither blacke bill, Halbard, nor Partizan comparable to the Pike."
- Robert Barret, The Theorike and Practike of Moderne VVarres, 1598
Here we see Barret explicitly saying they (short arms) cannot compete with the pike head-on in the field of battle. Of course, there are exceptions; Flodden (1513) and Sempach (1386), but battles such as Seminara (1495) and Arbedo (1422) are perhaps the more common outcome.
"Halberds and blacke billes, pertisans, borespeares, and pollaxes, and all such like weapons to be vsed in hand, haue one and the same vse with swordes and targets. But neither are the men that vse them so well defended against shot and pikes, nor is that sort of weapon so effectuall. If the enemy giue ground they are proper for execution; and may be employed in open field, in straites, in woodes, in assaultes, sallies, and many seruices."
- Matthew Sutcliffe, The Practice, Proceedings, and Lawes of Armes, 1593
"Halberdeares or Bill-men.
THese bée gards vnto Captaines & Ensignes, which be most times chosen gentlemen of experience, or Cauallieres of the squadre, who as occasion serueth, giue orders to the numbers in aray, and the enemie approching to giue an onset, certain of them bée appointed to aduance and maintaine the receit of them: whose discréete leading and valiant courage doth much comfort the rest to follow the same. These Cauallieres bee armed with corselets, and bée placed in the hart of the battail, vsuallie called the slaughter of the field, or execution of the same, who commonlie doe not fight but in verie great extremitie."
- William Garrard, The Arte of VVarre, 1591
Now of course, the late 16th century is a very different place in terms of warfare from the early 16th century. But regarding the use of short arms, it's very clear they are not used to "counter" pikes in any manner. This is not to say they are useless in the face of the pike, they simply have a specific role (like the pike), but even that specific role may be needed frequently, as this period (and the periods prior) are marked by a large amount of sieges, where in many cases pikes would be overlong.
"Behend the Retirade I intended to place the Muskets, together with the Harquebuzeers, and so soon as they should be entred in, to cause the Artillery and small shot to fire all at once, and we at the two ends then to run in upon them with Pikes and Halberts, two handed Swords, short Swords and Targets."
- Blaize de Montluc, The Commentaries of Messire Blaize de Montluc, 1592
"Wherefore the Switzers, to auoide this inconuenience, after euerye three rankes of Pikes do place one ranke of Halbardes, which they doo to the intent to giue their Pikemen space and place to fight in a prease; but yet this is not ynough, but as for vs, we will haue our Pikemen both before the Ensigne and behinde to carrye Targets: and there shall be Halbardes in the middest, by meanes of this order, to resist bothe Horssemen and footmen, and to breake into an enimie: for you know that Pikes may serue no turne after that the rankes are preassed together, because that the Souldiers are then as it were one in anothers necke: and therefore if the Pikemen had nothing but their Pikes and Swordes the Pike being abandoned they should be naked: for which cause I haue giuen them Targets to couer themselues from blowes, and to fight in all places, what prease soeuer there were. Moreouer the Halbardiers maye also fight better in a prease then the Pikemen, which Halbardiers are expressely appointted for this purpose, and likewise they may followe the sayde Targets at the heeles, who are heauily laden, to reskue them with their Halbards..."
- Guillaume du Bellay, Instructions For the Warres, 1549
Here du Bellay says halberdiers fight better in a press (or pell mell or melee) than pikes, and that is their explicit role, and that they can be used to push through the enemy to force a pell mell.
However, Robert Barret on the other hand thinks that even halberds may be too long in a press:
"For who doth not know that if the enemy be like to be victor, the armed pikes will yeeld backward as they feele themselues distressed, so as when the pikes are in such maner crashed and clustred together, that they can no longer charge and push with their pikes, then will the throng or presse in the center be so great, that the halberds and bils shall haue little roome to strike; nay short swords will hardly haue rome at that instant either to thrust or to strike. I would thinke daggers would do more execution at that time, and in that presse vntill one side fall to flight: so I see no reason at all for halberds or bills to haue place in a battell or stand of pikes: Besides the vnseemely shew they make either by themselues in the center, or mingled among pikes."
- Robert Barret, The Theorike and Practike of Moderne VVarres, 1598
Their Role Upon the Seas
This will be brief, as I'm not the most knowledgeable regarding naval warfare.
The two handed sword had quite a life upon the seas, as because they are great at area denial, they are both good for the attack (where the boarders may be locally outnumbered), and for the defense (to keep the enemy off their ship).
"And if by chance the opponents enter the ship, in such a case the lances and swords and the montantes are the best weapons, and for such a case it is the jareta [net], so that they do not enter inside, and with them above it [i.e. the net] and ours below it, with their pikes they should give them such a rush that they find it convenient to jump into the sea.
Likewise, if ours should jump onto their ship, the first should carry montantes, which is the best arm in such a case, and the coselete [corselet] with sword and rodella."
- Alonso de Chaves, Qvatri Partitv en Cosmographia Pratica Ipor. Otro Nōbre Ilamado Espeio de Navegantes, 1537, Translation by Me
The first men carrying two handed swords is reflected in chronicles as well:
"Thairfoir sett ȝour sellffis in order everie man to his awin rowme, lat the gounnaris chairge their artaillȝe and the croce bowis and make thame redy, with thair lyme pottis and fyre ballis in our toppis and tua handit suordis in ȝour for-rowmes; lat ewerie man be diligent and stout for his awin pairt and for the honour of his realme, and thairto he caussit to fill the wyne and eerie man drank to wther."
- Robert Lindesay, The Historie and Cronicles of Scotland, written ~1575
A similar speech is also given in a different part of the book.
Conclusion
To conclude, the role of the two handed sword in war was the same as other short arms such as the halberd, partisan, and bill. It was used for the pell mell, the breach, the camisado; for the defense of the shot and artillery, the defense of the ensign in the hands of its guards and the captains; to assault and defend the flanks of the ward/battle; to give chase when the enemy flees, and for the defense of the walls and trenches. Its use in skirmishes is arguably where it shines. In short, to do all the things where the pike might not be most effective, and such things can very frequently occur.
Great job on this, very interesting!
ReplyDeleteYou have a quote by Louis de Gaya from 1678. Would two-handed swords still be in use at that date, or is de Gaya writing about past use? To me it seems quite late.
-Gordon
In my opinion, they either were kept in armories for such a purpose (defense of a breach, trenchworks, etc.) or he is extrapolating their use based on the other weapons he describes (partisans, axes, long clubs, etc.) which did have those purposes.
Delete"I never saw so many Espadons, as among the Hollanders. The Ramparts of all their Towns were furnished with them, each distant from the other six paces; with a like number of Clubs or Maces: and indeed to consider such preparatives, one would have thought their designs had been furious, and that they had had a great mind to defend themselves stoutly. But there is great appearance, that they onely placed these Arms there to adorn their Parapets."
- Louis de Gaya