14th – 15th Century Knights Order Medieval Sword This very special Knights order Sword is a very special find, dated from the 14th to 15th century and is classified as a Type XV. Without any doubt this sword belonged to a a member of the knights of St. John due to the stamped Maltese cross on wither side of the guard. The pommel of the sword is very special and what is referred to as a cocked hat. The blade is another key feature of this sword, having extensive signs of use in combat and having many delamination’s. Reference from Medieval Sword by Ewart Oakeshott: “Type XV – XVa The general outline, or silhouette, of this type is very much like that of Type XIV, but the section of the blade is totally different, as is the prime function of the sword. The XIV’s were made and used when the most defensive armour was still mail, with or without metal or leather of quilted reinforcement. The function of a XIV, like all it [sic] predecessors, was to be a slashing and hewing weapon. A XV was meant to be able to deliver a lethal thrust, even though armour was largely of plate. It seems to have developed along with the development of plate armour. Here, however, I must add a ride. Many of the swords in the period of the Celtic Iron Age, particularly in the La Tene III, are of the same stiff, flattened diamond section with a prime function of thrusting. The long Roman Spatha, used by the ancillary cavalry, is of a form which, if found or seen out of context, could well be taken to be the lade of a sword of Type XV or XVIII of the 14th or 15th century A.D. instead of between 200 B.C. and 400 A.D. Truly a rarely seen sword of Museum quality! Specifications: Overall Sword 94.5 CM Blade 79 CM Blade Width 5 CM Weight 780g Enquire now
