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Astronomical Knowledge of the Mayans: Predictions, Calculations, and Meanings
Systematic Sky ObservationThe Mayan civilization, which flourished from approximately 2000 BCE to the 16th century, d...
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27 May 2024
4 min
Excalibur. The legend behind the sword
Welcome to a new article from Swords and More. Today we will talk about Excalibur, the legendary sword of King Arthur, and the legend that accompanies this story. Excalibur. The legend behind the sword Excalibur, the sword that made Arthur Pendragon King of England when it was dug out from the rock in which it was embedded. As in many other legends, Excalibur is said to be wielded only by its true owner. Thus, when Arthur is dying due to wounds inflicted by his son Mordred at the Battle of Camlann, Excalibur must be returned to the Lady of the Lake, its original owner, as no one else can use it. Check out this version of the Excalibur Sword! In the 13th century, monks at the French abbey of Cluny spread a legend about a knight named Galgano, who was later canonized by Pope Urban III. This knight may be related to Sir Gawain or Galvan. The story includes iconic elements of the Arthurian cycle, such as the sword stuck in the stone, which first appeared in the 12th-13th century French poet Robert de Boron's play "Merlin." In the Italian region of Tuscany, there is the Rotonda di Montesiepi, where tradition holds that the sword stuck in a stone there is that of Saint Galgano. Check out this version of the Excalibur Sword In the famous work Le Morte d'Arthur by the 15th century English writer Thomas Malory, it is mentioned that the sword may have been pulled from a rock or an anvil. Malory also presents another version, recorded in the Post-Vulgate Cycle or Roman du Graal of the 13th century, in which Excalibur comes into Arthur's hands thanks to Nimue, the Lady of the Lake. The origin of the name Excalibur has several theories. One of the most accepted is that it comes from the Latin "Ex Calce Liberatus", which would translate as "Freed from the stone". However, some believe that the name could derive from the Welsh tale "Culhwch and Olwen", part of the "Mabinogion", a collection of prose stories from medieval Welsh manuscripts. In that tale, Arthur's sword is called Caledvwich, derived from the Latin "chalybs" (steel or iron) and meaning "strong cleavage". Some scholars suggest that Caledvwich could have its origin in the Irish mythological sword Caladbolg, meaning "ravenous" and which was wielded by King Fergus mac Roich in the Ulster Cycle , a collection of prose and verse writings of Irish mythology. This King Arthur's Dagger is incredible Another story from the Arthurian cycle mentions a sword embedded in a stone or a tree trunk, depending on the version. This story features Galahad, the bastard son of Lancelot and Elaine de Corbenic, conceived under a spell that made Lancelot believe he was Queen Guinevere, Arthur's wife. Galahad is brought to court and, unwittingly, sits at the Round Table in the place reserved for the knight who must find the Holy Grail, a dangerous mission that has cost many lives. It was the 13th-century French poet Robert de Boron who related the myth of Arthur to the search for the Holy Grail, the chalice from which Christ drank at the Last Supper, giving it a more Christian dimension. Excalibur was also noted for its magical powers. This tradition of magical weapons comes from the early Middle Ages, where there is mention of Dyrnwyn, the sword of Rhydderch Hael, a ruler of the British kingdom of Alt Clut, which burned if wielded by someone unworthy. Arthur possessed several weapons with special names and powers, such as the spear Rhongomyniad, which glowed until the end of the world; the dagger Carnwennan, which rendered its wielder invisible; and two swords: Clarent, mentioned in the English poem "The Death of Arthur," and Seure, which Arthur gave to Lancelot. Check out this King Arthur Helmet Excalibur's magical powers were manifested in Arthur's first battle, blinding his enemies with a glow like that of "thirty torches," as Malory describes in her work. Excalibur's scabbard also had magical properties, as it could heal. In Malory's account, the scabbard is stolen by Arthur's half-sister Morgana and thrown into a lake to avenge the death of her beloved Accolon of Gaul. This act was crucial, as without the healing scabbard, Arthur died at the Battle of Camlann. His body was taken to the island of Avalon, where Excalibur had been forged, and then returned to its original owner, the Lady of the Lake. And you, what do you think of King Arthur and his legendary sword Excalibur?
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30 Apr 2024
3 min
Roman Weapons and Swords. Roma Aeterna
Welcome to a new Swords and More article! Today we will tell you about the glorious Rome and its weaponry. Roma Aeterna! Roman military world and weapons When we think of Roman military capability, one of the most important empires in history comes to mind. Some of the relevant elements of Roman tactics are: Discipline and structure: The Roman army was noted for its discipline and organization, as well as for its advances in weapons and tactics. Citizens between seventeen and sixty years of age were subject to military service. Those with minimum incomes of four hundred drachmas joined the infantry or heavy cavalry. Check out this amazing Roman Gladius! Composition of the army: An army was usually made up of four legions, although this number could vary. Each legion, in the 1st century BC, was made up of 5,120 men and was divided into 10 cohorts. Combat tactics: The Roman army was organized in tight formations, with a wide but shallow front line. These formations included 500 infantrymen in front, 1,200 light infantrymen on the sides, and 300 cavalrymen for support. This Gladius is of great quality! Now, if we go to weapons, the main Roman weapons are the following: The pilum was a long, heavy spear of about 2.5 metres that Roman soldiers threw like a dart towards the enemy. When several units threw their pilums at the same time, they created a shower of devastating projectiles. In addition, the pilum was also used in hand-to-hand combat, being a short spear very effective at piercing armour. The gladius hispaniensis , known as the Roman short sword, was instrumental in the expansion of the Roman Empire. With its suitable length, it allowed legionaries to attack with penetrating and devastating blows in confined spaces. Check out this spectacular Roman Centurion Gladius! The plumbata, also called the "spikes of Mars", was a new weapon adopted by the Roman armies around 300 AD. It consisted of an iron-tipped, lead-weighted dart mounted on a feathered wooden rod. The pugio, a dagger used by Roman soldiers, was an auxiliary weapon whose exact purpose is still uncertain, but it is believed to have had a meaning beyond combat, indicating the soldier's status. Look at this Roman dagger from Marto! Furthermore, the scorpion was a rotating siege engine used by the Roman army as a field artillery piece. And what do you think of Roman swords and the history of the glorious empire? (With permission from the great Spanish empire) Tell us!
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29 Apr 2024
3 min
The Celts. Hallstatt and La Tène. The Celtic Sw...
Welcome to a new article on Swords and More. Today we will tell you about a topic that we are sure will be of interest to you: The Celts and their swords! About the Celts We can understand the ancient Celts as a community of diverse tribal groups that spread and populated vast regions of central and western Europe during the Bronze Age, approximately from 700 BC to 400 AD. From the Iberian Peninsula to the lands of Germany, crossing all of Europe and even reaching areas of Anatolia in the east and Ireland in the west. The Celts, although never united under a single state banner, shared certain cultural, religious and linguistic ties (despite their many differences between tribes, there are common elements to take into account) although they did not form a complex and united civilization. We can talk about different cultures of the Bronze Age that have subsequently been related to the expansion of the so-called Celtic peoples such as Hallstat and La Tène. Check out this amazing Celtic Cormac Sword! Hallstatt culture The Hallstatt culture, an archaeological civilization that flourished in Europe during the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age. Its name evokes the mystique of the Hallstatt Necropolis in Austria, where some 2,000 tombs and more than 6,000 buried treasures lie. This culture, which inherited legacies from the Urnfields, was distinguished by its skill in salt production and its increasingly intense trade with neighboring peoples. As it grew, it established connections with regions as far away as the Mediterranean and the vast steppes of Eastern Europe. Over time, iron became the central axis of its development, thus marking the beginning of the First Iron Age. La Tene culture The La Tène culture dates back to the period between 450 and 50 BC, taking its name from the place where its first remains were discovered, on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel in Switzerland. This culture emerged as the successor to the previously predominant Hallstatt culture (ca. 1200 - 450 BC), and quickly became the dominant artistic force in Central Europe. The treasures of La Tène culture have been found across a wide geographical range, from the green lands of Ireland to the vast plains of Romania, painting a picture of cultural exchange and connectivity across Western and Central Europe. Check out this Cruachan Celtic Short Sword! The Celtic Swords The Celts were skilled in metal forging, a skill that left an indelible mark on Roman military technology. From Gallic helmets to the famous Celtiberian swords, their influence was undeniable. We can distinguish several Eras: Bronze Age: Forged in bronze, these swords were rather short, with a triangular shape that made them unique, adorned with complex Celtic spiral patterns. Iron Age (First Period): Celtic swords grew in size and weight during this period. In addition to long swords, short swords, horseshoe daggers and antennae swords were also used. Iron Age (Second and Third Period): Celtic swords continued to evolve, adapting to the changing needs of the battlefield, reflecting the constant transformation of their society and technology. I love this Historical Celtic Short Sword! And what do you think of the Celts and their swords? Are you passionate about the Bronze Age? Tell us!
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19 Mar 2024
3 min
PARTS OF A SWORD. MEDIEVAL SWORD.
Welcome to a new article from Espadas Y Más. Today, we will tell you about the parts of a sword. As you already know, weapons have varied greatly in potential and details throughout history, and the case of swords was not going to be any different, so in this article, we will talk specifically about the parts of a medieval sword, in general. We can't stop recommending our collection of Medieval Swords, we're sure you or your father will love them ;) PARTS OF A MEDIEVAL SWORD Pommel : The pommel is the part of the sword that is furthest from the tip. Its main function is to balance the sword, providing a counterweight to the blade. This allows for easier and more controlled handling of the sword. Additionally, in close combat situations, the pommel can be used as a blunt weapon to strike the opponent. Check out this medieval carbon steel sword Hilt : The hilt is the part of the sword that is held in the hand. It is designed to be comfortable and provide a good grip, allowing the user to handle the sword with precision and control. Often, the hilt is wrapped in leather or some other soft material to provide extra comfort and a better grip. Check out this one-handed medieval sword Guard or Crossguard : The guard, also known as the crossguard, is the part of the sword that is located between the hilt and the blade. Its main function is to protect the hand holding the sword from blows from the opponent. The guard can take many forms, from a simple crossbar to more complex and ornate designs. Check out this medieval German sword Blade : The blade is the long, straight part of the sword. It can be double-edged (sharpened on both sides) or single-edged. The blade ends in a point, which is used for stabbing. The length, width, and curvature of the blade can vary considerably depending on the type of sword and its purpose. Classic Medieval Sword Edge : The edge is the sharp edge of the blade. In a double-edged sword, both sides of the blade are sharpened. The cutting edge is the part of the sword that is used for cutting and slashing. Fluting : Fluting is a groove that runs the length of the blade. Its purpose is to reduce the weight of the sword without compromising its strength. This allows for easier and faster handling of the sword. Tip : The tip is the end of the blade, designed for stabbing or piercing. The shape of the tip can vary depending on the type of sword and its purpose. Check out this historic medieval sword Each of these parts has a specific purpose, and together they make the sword an effective tool for combat. Medieval swords were often customized for the knight who would use them, so they can vary in size, shape, and decoration. Although all swords share these basic characteristics, craftsmanship and innovation in their design have led to a wide variety of swords throughout history. We hope you enjoyed it! See you soon!
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