Crusader Longsword

Timeline

1. 1100–1120Western Europe · Western EuropeFrom the late eleventh to early twelfth century, the European knightly longsword took on its typical form: straight blade, narrow fuller, cross guard, and disc pommel, suited to mounted slashing and thrusting combat.
2. 1121–1130Levant · LevantIn the 1120s, Crusader knights and warriors of the Templar and Hospitaller orders commonly equipped such longswords on Levantine battlefields; archaeological and documentary remains show them circulating through armories and war booty in the eastern Mediterranean.
3. 1131–1300Europe · EuropeFrom the twelfth to thirteenth century, longswords continued to improve in blade proportions, guard decoration, and steel quality; some fine examples bore religious inscriptions or heraldry, and they gradually gave way to longer, heavier two-handed sword forms.