Renaissance Weaponry

Part 5

The Lance

In service for centuries, the Lance underwent few changes in design. It was of uniform thickness from one end to the other, with a leaf or lozenge shaped head. The Lance was the weapon used during "jousting” and tournaments for knights. During Elizabethan times, the Lance fell out of popularity, but was brought back into use in later times for the use of the cavalry.

The Sword
 
Of all the weapons of the Renaissance Era, the sword changed the most, especially when compared with Medieval times. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the changes were chiefly made to the hilt of the sword. These changes were primarily instituted to protect the hand, as dueling had come into fashion. A finger guard was added, and the medieval cross piece was bent into and S-shaped form. Rings were added to each side of the cross piece; back guards and basket hilts, too. A rapier guard was invented, and the variations thereof were almost endless. The blade was long, thin, and tapering to an extremely sharp point. The single edged rapier sword was mainly used for ceremonies and duels, with the double edged rapier used in war.

During the 16th century, the two hand sword enjoyed immense popularity. It was used not only by the nobility, but also the lower classes such as mercenaries. In Scotland, the two hand sword was very much in favor, and the Swiss were noted for being highly skilled swordsmen with this weapon. Due to its weight, the two hand sword could only be employed successfully by those men of superior strength and skill. The two hand sword went out of favor at the end of the 16th century.


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