Oakeshott typology

Type X

Type X- Note the disk shape pommel and long fuller that extend near to the end of the blade.

Oakeshott X describes the type of sword common in the late Viking age, remaining in use up to the 13th century. It features a broad and flat blade with an average length of 80 centimetres (2.6 ft) with a very wide and shallow fuller running almost the entire length of the blade but fading out just before the point (which is typically rounded). The grip has the same average length as earlier Viking swords of about 9 centimetres (3.5 in). The tang is usually very flat and broad, and tapers sharply towards the pommel. The cross or cross-guard is of square section, about 18–20 centimetres (7.1–7.9 in), tapering towards the tips, in some rare cases slightly curved. The type X is narrower and longer than the typical Viking sword, representing a transitional type to the knightly sword of the High Middle Ages. Tenth century Norsemen referred to this type of sword as gaddhjalt (meaning spike hilt), this referring to the strong taper of the tang, not any visible characteristic of the pommel. The pommel usually takes an oval Brazil-nut form or a disk-shape. The inlaid ULFBERHT mark is characteristic of the type X sword.

In 1981 Oakeshott introduced the a subtype Xa including swords with similar blades but narrower fuller, originally classified under type XI.

Type XI

Type XI.

Tapering point, in use c. 1100–1175. Features a short grip similar to type X but a distinctively longer, more slender blade suitable for slashing from horseback. Typically presents a narrower fuller than type X. Often features an acute point but generally too flexible for effective thrusting. Subtype XIa has a broader, shorter blade.

Type XII

Type XII, Sword of Saint Maurice, replica by Peter Johnsson, 2005

Typical of the High Middle Ages, these swords begin to show a tapering of the blade with a shortened fuller, resulting in improved thrusting characteristics while maintaining good cutting capabilities.The Cawood sword is an exceptionally well preserved specimen of type XII, exemplifying the characteristics of a taper along the full length, and narrow fuller terminating 2/3 down the blade.^[2] A large number of Medieval examples of this type survive. It certainly existed in the later 13th century, and perhaps considerably earlier, since the Schweizerisches Landesmuseum in Zurich possesses an example that has a Viking Age-type hilt but clearly a type XII blade. The subtype XIIa (originally classified as XIIIa) consists of the longer, more massive greatswords that appear in the mid-13th century, probably designed to counter the improved mail armour of the time, and the predecessor of the later longswords. The earliest known depiction of a type XII sword in art can be seen in the statue of the Archangel Michael in Bamberg Cathedral dating to c. 1200. The Maciejowski Bible (c. 1245) depicts other examples.

Single-handed transitional type XII swords have a grip about 4.5 inches (11 cm) in length.^[3]

Type XIIa has a long grip similar to that of XIIIa. The XIIa was originally a part of the XIIIa classification, but Oakeshott decided they "taper[ed] too strongly" and were "too acutely pointed" to fit appropriately.^[4]

Type XIII

Depiction of Oakeshott Type XIII from the Tenison (Alphonso) psalter

This typifies the classical knightly sword that developed during the age of the Crusades. Typically, examples date to the second half of the 13th century. Type XIII swords feature as a defining characteristic a long, wide blade with parallel edges, ending in a rounded or spatulate tip. The blade cross section has the shape of a lens. The grips, longer than in the earlier types, typically some 15 cm (almost 6 inches), allow occasional two-handed use. The cross-guards are usually straight, and the pommels Brazil-nut or disk-shaped (Oakeshott pommel types D, E and I).

Subtype XIIIa features longer blades and grips. They correspond to the knightly greatswords, or Grans espées d'Allemagne, appearing frequently in 14th century German, but also in Spanish and English art. Early examples of the type appear in the 12th century, and it remained popular until the 15th century. Subtype XIIIb describes smaller single-handed swords of similar shape.

Very few examples of the parent type XIII exist, while more examples of the subtype XIIIa survive. A depiction of two-handed use appears in the Tenison(Alphonso) psalter. Another depiction of the type appears in the Apocalypse of St. John manuscript of c. 1300.

The "greatsword", within the context of the late medieval longsword, is a type of "outsize(d) specimen", specifically the Type XIIIa. The weapons were referred to by a variety of names, as in Grans espées d'Allemagne or "big swords of Germany".^[5]

The larger subtype XIIIa sword has a grip approximately 6.5–9 in (17–23 cm) long.^[6]

Type XIV

Type XIV- Note flat cross section(lenticular), demonstrated by lack of a visible midrib towards the point. Broad and triangular in profile.

Ewart Oakeshott describes swords of Type XIV classification as "...short, broad and sharply-pointed blade, tapering strongly from the hilt, of flat section (the point end of the blade may, in some examples, have a slight though perceptible mid-rib, with a fuller running about half, or a little over, of its length. This may be single and quite broad or multiple and narrow. The grip is generally short (average 3.75") though some as long as 4.5"; the tang is thick and parallel-sided, often with the fuller extending half-way up it(the tang). The pommel is always of "wheel" form, sometimes very wide and flat. The cross is generally rather long and curved (very rarely straight)." Eight of the nine examples Oakeshott provided of type XIV in Records of the Medieval Sword have the distinct blade profile of a very acute triangle, with only one specimen showing an accelerating taper toward the end of the blade.

Type XV

Type XV.

Straight tapering blade with diamond cross-section and a sharp point. Type XVa have longer, narrower blades and grips sufficiently long for two-handed use. In contrast to type XIV, these are more greatly designed for thrusting above cleaving, their appearance coinciding with the rise of plate armor. However, blades of similar cross-section and profile can be found well before the Middle-Ages and after, meaning this blade form should not soley be assigned the purpose of defeating plate armor.^[7] Many Type XV fall within the terminology of swords commonly called "bastard" or "hand-and-a-half swords" in reference to the longer grips that allowed both one and two handed use, though swords with grips of only around 5 inches would not be considered among these.^[8]

Type XVI

Type XVI.

A flat cutting blade which steadily tapers to an acute point reinforced by a clearly defined ridge, making it equally effective for thrusting. This type somewhat resembles a more slender version of type XIV. These swords appear in the contemporary artwork of San Gimignano and many other works. Blade length c. 70–80cm. Subtype XVIa have a longer blade with a shorter fuller (usually running down 1/3 and rarely exceeding 1/2 of the blade). The grip is often extended to accommodate one and a half or two hands.

Type XVII

Type XVII. This particular replica is slightly broad for its type, with most type XVII’s bearing a blade scarcely wider than the grip, if it at all.

Characterized by a long, evenly tapering blade, hexagonal cross section, two-handed grip. Stiff, and suited toward thrusting. Oakeshott found some to be heavy swords, some examples weighing more than 2 kg, used for combat against armoured opponents. Some of these blades however were light-weight, including a sword that Oakeshott studied at the Fitzwilliam museum of Cambridge. In use c. 1360–1420.^[9]

Type XVIII

Type XVIII.

Tapering blades with broad base, short grip, diamond cross-section. In distinction from type XV, these blades almost always feature a raised mid-rib reinforcing the blade for thrusting, and in the examples of The Records of the Medieval Sword, can be seen to have a less linear and constistent taper along the edge of the blade, sometime showing a subtle acceleration of the taper toward the very tip of the blade. ^[10] The subtype XVIIIa have narrow blades with a longer grip. Subtype XVIIIb are Bastard swords, have a longer blade and long grip and were in use c. 1450–1520. Subtype XVIIIc: shorter grip, broad blade of c. 90

Type XIX

15th century swords, often for one-handed use though two-handed examples exist, with relatively narrow flat blades of hexagonal cross-section, nearly parallel edges (little profile taper), narrow fullers, and a pronounced ricasso . This ricasso often presents an area of increased decoration. Additionally, several of these blades bear Arabic inscriptions and finger loops below the crossguard. ^[11]

Type XX

14th to 15th century "hand and a half" or "two-handed" swords, often with two or more fullers, sometimes reducing to one fuller partway down the blade. The edges of these blades are nearly parallel or only slightly tapered until reaching a final slope to a point. These are Bastard swords, and nearly always have a hand-and-a-half grip or Two-handed swords, with room for two hands. Subtype XXa have narrower blades with a more acute and linear taper, though these can still be distinguished in part by their multiple fullers. ^{[12] [13]}

Type XXI

Sword Vinkler XIV c.

Broad heavily tapering swords, similar to the fasionable Italian civilian Cinquedea of the late 15th century. Usually longer and less broad than the cinquedea. Commonly presents with two or more fullers that continue nearly the full length of the blade. Also usually features downward(toward the blade) curved cross(quillions). The distinction away from an Cinquedea is largely based on size alone. A variation of the classic Cinequeda grip is not uncommon, though many have grips are more conventional to other European swords of the time period. ^[14]

Type XXII

Sword Boeheim Dresden, a somewhat atypical presentation of its archetype due to the pronounced midrib, distinctive chappe (rain-guard) and straight quillions.

Broad flat blades, some sharing a moderate to heavy taper with Type XXII though not as heavily or consistently. These are often flat/spatulate in cross section with the exception of 1-2 narrow fullers that only extend a short distance beyond the handle. The proportions, history of surviving examples, an often ornate decoration indicate these may have mostly served a ceremonial role more than as weapons of war.^[15] Mid 1400's-1500's.