Why didn't medieval people wear SWORDS on their BACK?
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- Опубликовано: 5 июн 2020
- A detailed look at why medieval people didn't wear their swords on their back from a historical perspective and contrary to the popular way we see in medieval fantasy, while also exploring some of the benefits of each method.
Nate V's awesome channel: / @natev-swordsavvy
LARP swords from Calimacil: calimacil.com?aff=38
Back scabbards and cloaks: • How MEDIEVAL CLOAKS af...
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The never-ending discussion on how to look cool while remaining practical.
I don’t think swords on the back look cool at all. But certainly better than spears, lances and pikes on the back... yes im looking at you bannerlord...
@@trock7542 i think they should just strap another swordsman on their back. he can either hold the swords for the human "mount" and would DOUBLE the fighting power by providing 2 sets of arms! In modern military the analogue would be the tactical piggie back ride.
I think sword on hip looks pretty cool too.
@@NamelessKing1597 True, swords generally look cool whatever you're doing.
@@FlyingWingless *drops down* "Forsooth, hello there!"
*two peasants on each other's shoulders, wearing a long cloak, turn around* "M'lord Kenobi!"
Because they didn't have a Shabbard ,Duh.
"Especially when you've got a big long one like mine."
-Shad 2020
Goddamn you, ya beat me to it!!
you disgust m... (starts snickering) HAHAHAHA!!!
And also 69 likes, nice
"Mom, some guy is running in circles with a sword and dancing weird."
Necessity may be the mother of invention, but never forget that laziness is the father of invention.
This is soooooo true. i mean really, if you think about it so much of our technology is born of trying to make things easier and take less work. in other words, laziness.
Otherwise known as 'We need to do this thing.... but with the least amount of effort possible!'
@i hate anime *Squints* Not sure if you're trolling or not.
This is brilliant! I'm going to use this!
And comfort is the father's brother who is actually the real father.
Looking good is half the battle.
And if knowledge is the other half, an attractive and well educated fighter will never actually have to fight.
@@ALovelyBunchOfDragonballz what is the pointing of being a fighter then
@@VespertilioGiganticus because it's cool.
And, in case fighting is necessary.
More than half imo
@@sylvicalias I can only imagine a burglar breaking into Shad's house, only to be met with a sword
His face when drawing his blade though.. the ferocity. I wouldnt be surprised if this guy was sent back in time and became a grade A Knight. I love his outfit.
with glasses.
He is actually a Grade A Knight sent forward through time to innovate and educate the common people.
@@shadow105720 MACHICULATIOOOOONS
The title made it sound like this would be a 3 mins video. I expected something like "well.. you cant draw your sword properly from your back" Oh well.. *grabs some snacks*
Same. I thought it would be a short history lesson but got this instead. Oh look I'm outta popcorn 🍿
@@DemonicTechnoWar Sign of a good video when that's easy to do!
While I don't claim to have seen every one of these videos, when does he ever miss an oppertunity to talk about something he enjoys... In many many words.
I love how much more energy shad has had since the surgery
Me: lets do something producti- Shad: WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE A 40 MINUTE VIDEO ON SWORDS?!?! Me: well yes
I'm in this comment and I'm okay with it
Yeah
Didn’t he already do this? I’m not complaining though.
Note: I’m typing this before watching the video
Do you come from Reddit?
Haha
Shad looks and sounds like if a crazy scientist dropped chemistry and studied history instead
The term Historian comes to mind. ^_^ I love him for it.
Sir Ned Flanders. I love this guy. Subscribing. Awesome enthusiasm and passion.
Plot twist: He is a reincarnated Knight School teacher.
I guess if you only watch cartoons he 'looks like a scientist'
@@humblegamer7876 *crazy scientist. Maybe read the comment before being a nuisance you sentient bag of dirt
"I am not the first to think of this, but mine is the best!" - Shad 2020
Sees Title:
"Shad, we've been over this..."
20 seconds later:
"Alright, I'm listening..."
Shad learns stuff, Shad share stuff.
Shad "I have a castle in my backyard" iversity
Nice terrain to roll a battering ram right up to the gates ;)
Why have we not seen the inside of it yet
@@stc3145 Because there is no inside ;)
Well, it's almost midnight over here, so I'm fine with not being THAT productive anymore. Just planned on - for once - not going to bed after midnight, which I'm totally going to do now ^^'
WITH MACHICOLATIONS!!!
Honestly, I think the castle is just an excuse :)
38:33 This reminds me of a Mitch Hedberg joke... "Wearing a turtleneck is like being strangled by a really weak guy, all day. Wearing a backpack and a turtleneck is like a weak midget trying to bring you down."
"Normal movement like this"
*Proceeds to transcend human life and become a robot*
I love how Shad looks genuinely happy when he's testing with the back scabbard. Have your energy levels been improving lately Shad? cause it looks like it.
Shad Facts: Shad suplexed a giant into the ocean, and the Mariana Trench opened up as a result of the forces exerted.
The earth just wanted to get out of the way of the impact
Shad also Killed a leviathan with a Sword that came out of this opening
True story!
@valasarius supposedly, the leviathan's corpse formed the Mariana islands
"The Tales of Shad: Heroism Incarnate" there's a proper book title, use it as you wish
Edit: you have a story-telling gift
"Oh shut up, Baldrick!" - Sir Edmund Blackadder
,"But I have a cunning plan!"
7:18 "Especially when you have a big, long one like mine" I am still snickering at this...
There is something so badass about having a sword on the back and on the hip
Duel wielding never looked so cool
Off topic a bit, but I introduced the Shabbard into my D&D campaign. It's non-magical, it just lets you draw and sheath your sword as a free action.
Wouldn't it be considered "Interacting With An Object"? Like opening or closing a door. That would still give you a Free Action available.
You are right it's already free
@@paulcoy9060 Not exactly. While you are largely correct, you are only allowed to interact with a single object for free during your turn, so you can't draw your sword *and* open a door for free on the same turn. With the Shabbard drawing or sheathing your sword does not "consume" your one free object interaction for the turn.
This is of course based on my knowledge of the 5e rules and terminology and I can't tell if this is actually how it's implemented since I don't play with @Arctic Banana's group, and it might also be slightly different if they play in another edition of d&d, but based on the given description, this is what I can tell.
- In 5th Edition, drawing or sheathing a weapon uses your Object Interaction action. You can also draw your weapon in the same action that you make an attack with that weapon, which 9 times out of 10 makes the point moot.
- It's been a long time since I've looked at the 4th Ed. books (my group has never played 4th Ed. but I own the books), but I think it's a Swift Action.
- In 3rd/3.5 Edition (the one Shad has previously said his group plays) and in Pathfinder, drawing a weapon is a Move Action, unless you have the Quick Draw feat which allows you to draw as a Free Action or draw a hidden or concealed weapon as a Move Action.
- AD&D 2nd Edition (the edition I learned to play D&D with, and my personal preference (mainly due to nostalgia)) is a Godawful mess in general, with at least three different rules for drawing weapons between the Players Handbook and the many rules supplements (specifically _Oriental Adventures_ and the _Rules Cyclopedia,_ and maybe _Combat & Tactics_ and the _Complete Fighter's Handbook)._ The easiest rule is to add the weapons speed value to your initiative.
In short, the Shabbard frees up the action you otherwise would have needed to use to draw/sheath your sword, allowing you to do something else with that action, and depending on the Edition you play, not needing to spend a Feat slot (Quick Draw is pretty useful, though).
[Edit - Formatting for readability]
@@arcticbanana66 So you can pull your pants back up, draw your sword, and still get to attack same turn. Nice.
Unless I missed it, a big disadvantage of a backscabbard is that somebody could get behind you and make a grab for the sword. And unlike if it was at the hip, fighting them off when they've got a hold of it from the rear seems way more difficult.
I had the same thought. And road robbers were not uncommon.
I don't listen to weebs
There's this medieval style castle walls, your clothing, swords and scabbards, yet the thing I'm most impressed by is how well the mic captures your voice. There's no wind and you still sound loud and clear while running around.
Shad neighbour: "Just finished The Witcher, now I have to wait for season two..."
Looking through window: "Or not.."
The double belt back scabbed looks really good with the sleeveless gamberson
Now you've got me thinking about double crossed back scabbards... I may need a Shabbard.
"Normal movements like that"
Starts shaking his but at the wall behind him.
I be like: "what's your definition of normal?"
watched this channel a lot like a year ago, just came in my recommended again. i'm already hooked ones again :)
That's the third separate instance today that I've heard someone say _'absence of evidence is not evidence of absence'._ The *THIRD* time in one day!
Prior to today, I'd not heard it said for ten years, maybe more. _Bonkers!_
Theres something amazing about watching a grown ass man, who's married, dressing up and wearing swords and jumping around like a little kid with a big grin on his face.
Never change shad, never change.
I wish i could live my life that way. But that's why we have shad. He'll do it for us. Keep that childhood wonder alive.
I'd say there's also a defensive advantage to drawing from the hip, in that as the blade is drawn it can be brought across the body, thus leaving the belly less exposed during the draw. Drawing from the back effectively exposes the belly during the entire drawing movement.
I definitely think the cloak and shield is one of the bigger issues since both would have been insanely common.
I think another really big reason was actually because riding a horse with a back scabbard would be another issue as well. I don't see how you can sit riding a horse with the back scabbard it would constantly hit the saddle or poke the horse.
Shadiversity I checked several times at 1/4 playback speed and the results are that from start (initially reaching for sword) to finish (final ready stance) the side holster is 21 frames and the back holster is 20 frames. Can someone please do this comparison to double check my results?
I'm pretty sure you're right. At least that's what I saw. On another note, I thought of another possible point in favor of the back scabbard. I think the back scabbard would've been pretty useful for people who were limited to effectively only have one arm. I realize that's a very situational benefit, but sometimes a fighter might have had their off-hand occupied doing something else and the extra freedom would've probably been appreciated. Alternatively, we should consider people who were actually handicapped. Obviously, it'd be ideal for a handicapped person to never have to fight, but we know that's not always how things play out in reality. In either scenario, I can see having only one hand making it a major pain to sheathe or unsheathe with a side scabbard.
Could you put the sheath on the outside of the cloak?
@@Loaderdani The trouble then is that you wouldn't be able to take the cloak off, and they can be quite the hindrance in a fight (plus it probably wouldn't be as aesthetically pleasing for the cloak to be crumpled up under the belt. My best guess for a solution would be a special slit in the cloak for the sword to slide through, but even that would probably have its issues.
Meta Nightmare445 ha, now your thinking northern french 12th century lololololol
daniel loader nope. definitely not. cloaks are not just to keep you warmies they also conceal anything ya got if the situation is needed xx
I actually suggested this EXACT technique to YOU, Skallagrim, Scholagladiatoria, and Metatron, and NONE of you seemed to notice; that's why I'm glad NateV made it public in that video.
I honestly think the ONLY reason we try to draw it from the same of our BACKS as our sword arms when we still draw them from the opposite HIP from our sword arm is because that's what Hollywood and videogames've made us used to.
Shad, I gotta say, one really good reason to wear a sword on your hip rather than your back is for ease of weapon retention.
If somebody tries to grab my sword from my hip, I can immediately grab the hilt with my hand to prevent the person from drawing that sword while it is under their control, and can use my other hand to mess up their plans, or use both hands to hold onto my sword. I can see much more easily than if it is on my back.
If somebody grabs the hilt of my sword while it is up behind my shoulder, there's not much I can do about that. If it is on my back, any attempt at weapon retention uses far weaker muscle groups at a significant disadvantage. Not to mention that I cannot even see what is happening back there, and it is nigh impossible to use both hands effectively.
This, I think, would be my personal reason not to carry on my back.
I think the only scenario when a noble wore the sword on their back would be when they were riding on horseback to another place, in a group (or with his bodyguards) which was relatively safe. Wearing on the back would be more convenient and less cumbersome while riding.
That's a good point, you can keep an eye on your weapon, literally
As soon as he put his shield on his back, I was like; oh that's a nice bit of armor there to keep from getting stabbed in the back. Yeah, yeah. If I were in an environment where I felt I needed to be wearing a sword, I'd likely want it quickly accessible for only myself.
Yep, in the subways of NYC I used to wear my backpack on my belly because I wanted to keep an eye on it.
And this is the only reason we need that makes wearing a sword on your back, that can be easily unsheathed at that, the most dangerous thing you could do anywhere anytime.
I don't think Shad fully realized how close that blade was to slitting his throat when he said "It i'n't *that* close to my head" lmao
"What's the neighbour up to this time?"
"Some kind of mating dance with swords on the back."
Edit:- I meant *courting* dance! Was wondering why the innuendoes in the replies... 🤦♂️
*again?*
Yeah he's In Front of a camera as well
He makes realy weird adult films, right Jane
This made me laugh out loud so hard.
Next week he has a battering ram beating on the door, while dropping hot oil on mannequins.
@@thebystander1636 The HOA disallows the Boiling of Pitch.
He's already on thin ice for the caged war dogs and the catapulting of cow carcasses into the Common Area to disperse the teenagers.
Shad your breathing seems like it has improved remarkably! You're running around casually with two swords in the hot heat and walking back up to the camera with barely a huff. So happy to see that after what you were dealing with before! Good on you mate!
"Hot heat"
That is a very practical back scabbard, I love how easy it is to draw and stow. I think the biggest con, that you don't mention is that it does not do a good job of protecting the sword from the elements. Rain, dust, mud, seems like it would easily gather and get trapped in with the blade where a traditional scabbard makes more of a seal with the hilt of the sword. Plus, being on the side means your cloak could further protect it from the elements.
It does look very cool though and makes for functional use.
I mean they also had 100s of years to make 1000s of em he made a prototype that works even more efficient in he's 1st go I'm sure if he knew the craft he could make one just as safe for the blade as a normal one but it's a model 1
The could have a decent flap that goes over/around the hilt and guard to protect the blade. Also if your stowing your blade then fighting over and can lift flap for blade. Also could be laziness on many peoples parts and other injuries/exhaustion
@@DemonicTechnoWar Ha Lets keep on this Dev Team!?!! Seriously taking His general design BUT ALSO making it still get the perfect formation around the blade keeping Other stuff OUT, this is where the craft of the designwork gets REALLY Interesting, PLUS I think theres THE PERFECT Person to attest to the Effectiveness cause I can imagine any Sword Maker TODAY with the internet or family on the internet MIGHT get told to watch THESE videos or Find them the Only Interesting Vids besides maybe watching stress tests or sharpening and all that TV show of People playing with expensive toys WHILE YOU WATCH and THATS THE SHOW I mean some CAN completely envelop the wonder of an adventurer's heart Even if just so the PROGRAMMING is more easily implanted into their mind to prevent Ever having a chance at knowing whats Ever TRULY going on in the world because The MSM Isnt gonna tell you and people are too scared to tell A1ex J0nes anything REAL which makes it difficult to ever get exposure of the real darkness behind a lot of globalist world govt politics BS where they literally have Zhonguo trying to declare InterNazi World Government control abusing UN Powers that THEY shouuldn't be Allowed to hold for Reasons Everyone in the world are Paying for by dying Never Knowing Why... and It Sucks.....
....but people interested in weaponry that Never requires purchasing more Expensive ammunition.. well I mean that Does..Just Kinda Make Sense, don't it!?
I think theres POTENTIAL for a REALLY GREAT Product that I could easily see becoming a Global Standard for Modern Sword Combat.... and if not that AT LEAST maybe some attempt by Next action scifi/fantasy where they need to depict a more advanced civilisation of swordplay.... I can see it in about 30 different variations already! Seriously THIS DESIGN in different Materials with different types of Insides and Outsides for Different Reasons? Order your own with whatever Image you choose ahead of time printed over it so that a cheaper Cosplayer Model would even be Needed for demand of Modern BackScabbards (Ahem Brand Name RIGHT THERE anyone??) I dunnno Just Spitting Some OBVIOUS Facts, and Seriously Whoever Really Wants to make it happen Enough plus get Shad The Man The Myth The Legend, who also makes pretty swell videos about SwordsN'Stuff on tha InterNetz, Actually On Board Wellll THEN YOU HAVE ACHIEVED THE WORK OF GODS!...... or at least something Pretty On Par for ANYONE who Really Digs these vids talking About Real PRO-SWORDING... Swordin It Up like Its Just Something A REAL MAN Knows How To Do... or at least kids w/ replica fantasy swords from big franchises can feel more safe with whatever version of knockoff of Zoro's blades or just Ichigo's ACTUAL SOUL in Sword Form which is at the end of Bleach the Explanation Of the Zanpakuto as "I AM My Zanpakuto" like the Concept of Oneness with the Blade Being inverted to have Every Character have their own Unique Blades with Effects and so on... and We All wish that was real now... Who doesnt Want to Know what theur REAL Zanpakuto would be?? agh was trying to say something deep joking on how Probably MOST of the people watching ARe AT LEAST Learning about Real Swordsmanship from A Real Pro Swordist and Im talking One who Could Professionally SWORD like their Understanding of The Blade and its many forms and uses in different contexts and all different strategies even relative to Time Periods and so on, THAT is One Who can Professionally Make Use of The Sword in Such a Proficient Way that Its as thought the Word Sword Can be used as a VERB when this person is around.... "What happened to Dave, Guys!?"
"It was HIM..." (Thunder crackles in background, Of Course!) "All we could see was the fluurry of Steel and Dave getting turned into some kinda Sushi Roll YOU KNOW you dont want to order cause You dont want to Find our What the Hell its Made of..... It was Just PURE SWORDING, EVERYWHERE!!!!!!" he screamed in TERROR.. knowing that No Words could fully explain the level of Swordsmanship employed by Whoever had Defeated Dave the second he spoke against the Man who could Only Truly Speak With His Blade.... though was also very proficient in English and understanding general Latin based language concepts, but Of Course the Swordist IS SMART. Its Required to Ever achieve said level of skill... Perhaps Im getting a TAD off Subject.... Hopefully @Shadiversity the Message on HOW MUCH People Could Use REAL High Quality Production of THIS Back Scabbard DESIGN in Different Levels of Adjustability or Custom Materials made for effective USE and Security of The Blade as well... These could be what make people with No Idea how to Handle Carrying Swords in modern Era ABLE to Use them Comfortably enough not Messing up their blade and all the rest! Seriously Shad I think A LOT of people would buy Even Multiples for Different designs and so on or different armour sets and so on... Best Idea is working on How to design A simplified version thats Cheap and a Mid and Expensive alternative which then you add other Parts of varying Price Points for how it hangs off your back and what material covers it or What Colour sling design that allows easy quick storage and draws overhead! Im not kidding when I say I can see this being THE NEW MODERN STANDARD if Handled Right!!! Anyone have any points against the idea? Cause Everyone from cosplayers to ACTUAL Sword Collectors WILL WANT one of these and Perhaps even a huge kit of diff pieces to change for "This Bit is switched for the other material if it ever Rains...." extra customisable pieces to the set! Seriously Theres gotta be AT LEAST 2-3 People who've already gotten started making their own designs based off the general concept Shad's Given the World! And He couldve been a Military Industrial Complex Whoever and just kept the idea to himself and Never SHOWED HOW BIG an IMPROVEMENT on design His Design IS Funcionally....
NO! it was most important as well as everything else that they looked after and cleaned their weapons , if you didnt then your were in for a shock when your axe head snapped off before it came down on some ones noggin lol,
I think he mentioned in one of his earlier videos that the inside had some cotton soaked in oil, so the sword would get cleaned every time he slid it out or back in.
Those machiculations of the castle behind you are magnificent!
I imagine the reactions to the guy who would tried to make this a fashion 700 ears ago:
Knight templar 1: Look at that deviant.. he is carrying his sword on his back..
Knight templar 2: I bet he is into somekind of heresy.. We should inform the Grand Master to have a talk with him.
Some kind of weeb degeneracy more like.
Grand Master: Why do you wear your sword like that? It unsettles your fellows.
Errant Knight: So that it doesn't clank on the ground when I kneel to pray.
Grand Master: ......
@@markfergerson2145 Piety +1
@@markfergerson2145 genius, best answer ever
"...When you have a big long one like mine." Brag some more why don't you Shad.
"You really have to jerk it to get it out".... ok.
Beat me to it lol
Length isn't of as much important as the length of the bevel ;)
That’s what she said! (It had to be said.)
The difference between Skallgrim and shadiversity is the statement after these
When you see an energetic Shad running around and Shad-ow-boxing in full gambeson gear in front of his *backyard castle,* you know the day is saved.
Really great video Shad! Well thought out but also well demonstrated.
Nice video as always, I see three other points to be mentioned here:
1) Drawing from the side can help you deflect incoming blows (as Fiore show it in the 1 handed sword section)
2) In a time when material are not cheap, and wearing long belt and long dress is to show how wealthy you are, extra straps seems pretty fancy
3) I think you said it yourself in previous video, since a longsword is symbol of the wealthy, why would you park you ferrari in the backyard when you can peacock the shit out of it
The second point you mentioned is something most people tend to forget when making the argument of where the sword should be placed. Cloth and leather weren't cheap or abundant. Yes, you can design one that will be for the sword on the back, but that would cost money. LOTS OF IT. The type of money that only a very wealthy person can afford. That's why most weapon wearers used it the cheapest way, the hip.
Another possible reason why swords weren't worn on the back: Most knights and noblemen who were depicted to have swords on the sides, were fighting on horses.
As you can see with Shads own backscabbard at 14:49 it reaches really far down, even reaching the legs. I'd imagine riding a horse with your scabbard sticking in your horse or bumping from your horse all the time wouldn't be pleasant. If you would be riding a horse, wearing a sword on the side seems much more comfortable.
And after all, knights and noblemen were the people who thought about war the most. They didn't really care about the troubles of the peasant footsoldiers, unless it would impact the battle significantly. Wearing a sword on the side simply did not. It may actually be the other way around. As Shad pointed out in a different video, there would be danger of hurting your allies when you would draw your sword, because it requires more space.
I was about to write something similar. Customs and culture is way underestimated. Imagine doing something out of customs among people whose identity is formulated around piety.
I prefer to have R2D2 to launch my sword into the air at the appropriate time.
Great Video, and very thorough overview! Thanks
Just started watching your videos. Really like the content. Very knowledgeable on a subject in which a lot of people have many deep seated misconceptions.
I’m just glad we got to hear Shad say “big brain moment”
"Why do you carry 2 swords on your back?"
"One is for monsters.. and the other... for humans"
Wouldnt mind a round of cards...
“There both for monsters”
Ernest Prat Garriga Gwent? Sure thing master Witcher
"Becouse makeing one sword that would work on everything is beond capabilities of our society."
@@michagruzewski5592 The silver sword works fine on humans, but getting the silver re-plated after wear is really expensive.
I have not seen your channel in awhile, love the new backdrop.
I remember when I was a kid I used to watch this show called 'Robin of Sherwood'. One of the characters, Nasir, wore two short curved swords on his back (like mini scimitars) in a harness that I always thought looked so cool and he could draw them and resheath them quickly and easily ... probably because of the curve in the blade.
And here we see the continued adventures of Shad as he progresses through his training to become the first Australian Witcher.
Me: I'm gonna go to bed early this week.
3am:
Me: I don't need sleep, I need answers.
Thank u thanos 😘
I got a add featuring shad about a short film about his book can’t wait for it
I just love how enthusiastic he is
I feel like practical logic is often used over fashion reasons when making historical assumptions, so I'm glad you bring that up here. While yes we can be a practical kind, we for absolute certain can also be plagued by vanity & social fashion norm. :)
But fashion doesn't applies on military at all, do you think they would rather look common than win more wars? I don't think so, I just think it wasn't a known thing at that age.
Its like hes a salesman for backscabbards. You sir, look at this! Back Scabbards!! You can run, jump, climb, keep your hands free!, no more swords banging around your room knocking chamber pots over! For the low cost of 3 crowns you sir can own a backscabbard today!
I am just imaging peter griffin at a jousting competition yelling into the stands: "Back scabbard! get your back scabbard. You sir! back scabbard? BACK SCABBARD!"
Not sure why, but I read your imitation of his sales pitch as Peter Griffin selling butt scratchers. Butt scratcher?! Butt scratcher.. butt scratcher? lol
@@HPD1171 🤣 You might have only elicited 3 likes, but it hit my funny bone smack bang on, hahahaha! Back scabbard get your back scabbard hahahaha, old Griffo that's perfect!
There are legitimate advantages apparently
@@HPD1171 I don't think Peter G. would make for a good salesman and demonstrator. Aside from him being an abusive ass and dumbass, his stubby arms won't work for even a backscabbard. He'd look like an idiot.
I say get Meg. Her arms are not too stubby and she deserves some respect (and if anyone tells her to shut up, give the idiots the pommel of ending rightly).
One other reason against the back scabbard I can see is that it's not dry. In a classical scabbard, the sword is stored in a dry and somewhat weatherproof sheath, while the back scabbard you demonstrate is open. If the weather then was anything like it is today in Europe, that means a lot of wet days when your sword would have gotten wet or even drenched by the rain. If you don't want to spend a lot of time caring for your sword so that it doesn't rust, the dry scabbard option seems like a pretty big advantage.
Hey shad just wanted to say thanks. Your videos have gotten me to start writing again. I want to use alot ofnwhatbyoubsaid innyour fantasy re armed stuff for it.
I’ve always thought that the back scabbard was to carry weapons around on a campaign, not meant for combat. Similar to the way i would carry my assault riffle on my back during a march when I was doing my military service. As soon as we we in a situation where it might be needed, we would carry it in “patrol” or “side” carry.
If you had a dagger or a short sword it would solve the problem of needing to actually draw the sword in an ambush (or do you have enough time in an ambush?)
Edit: I reread my reply and I’m making some corrections, what I meant with the problem of drawing the sword is that if you use a “normal” scabbard it would take a while to get the whole thing it your back and draw it, sorry if the start was unclear (sorry if I’m wrong or rude).
yassssss... exactly Mr Smith. Modern military thingoes (soz cant think of the correct word) follows through from earlier eras and also improves on. Thank you for your service ❤️❤️❤️
In my experience, I never once wore my rifle on my back while marching. When on a forced march we always carried it slung over the shoulder for quick and easy access.
However, I do think that you make a valid point. Swords might have been worn on the back while marching, but once on the battlefield they were either moved back to the hip or tossed to the side and recovered later. I believe that the Metatron has stated that was what the Japanese did with the nodachi. They wore it slung on their back while walking/marching aand pulled it off their back and tossing the scabbard when they needed to use it.
@@jenniferschmitzer299 Doctrine?
@@Riceball01 That would only need to be the case for big swords like a zweihander which is pretty much exclusively a battlefield weapon meant to break up pike formations, so it would only need to be carried around while marching to a battle or something similar.
I imagine it was much the same for the nodachi, although I haven't seen Metatron's video on it yet.
I have to say, your explanation with the shield makes a lot of sense.
You put soooooo much thought into these analyses, and while you are pretty biased in your investigations, you still check every angle so thoroughly. Even going so far to make your own props and to demonstrate things on camera.
So many others that approach this subject are biased and refuse to investigate as much as you do. And are often unwilling to go those extra steps.
These are just really fun to watch.
I didn't realise this was a new video! I thought RUclips was suggesting an old one I've seen a hundred times lol.
Shad really getting his money's worth on that surgery to fix his sleep apnea. :D
A sword on the back does seem practical for an adventurer (such as D&D). But that was not really a thing historically. I think you are spot on about the shield.
The only time it can be practical is travelling, or marching. Where you get to the battle site and switch the swords position. Chances are youbwerent planning on drawing it.
An adventurer would have much more on their back
David Hedges yes they would! Great point! Unless you have hired people to carry your crap for you.
@@357Dejavu Every good adventuring party should have the random peasant they hired to tend the cart of supplies and be the subject of party-originated pranks and abuse.
Also bows and arrows. Never forget about the quiver.
I think a major con that has been overlooked is security. If someone sneaks up behind you and unsheathed your sword it is relatively easy to do, by the time you realize and turn around you are already disarmed. Whereas the more traditional position is tucked under your arm at all times, and like you mentioned most swords would be concealed under a cloak which makes the standard method even more secure. The only easy way for someone to unsheathe your sword would be from the front, their attempt would always be in your eyeline so you can react accordingly.
Actually, there is an example of swords being sheathed on the back of people riding horses because it’s far easier to sit comfortably with.
Comfort is definitely something to take into consideration especially when you're practically immortal.
I'm sure. With all the bouncing around that people on horses do comfort is a must-luxury to have.
They strapped the scabbard to the horse instead actually.
It's really good to see Shad running and moving about more freely. Gonna have to start calling this Chadiversity.
I would like, but it's got a nice amount of likes on it
this is far more in-depth than it needed to be. but thats why we love you.
14:02 One reason I thought of is to switch to a ranged weapon. In this case, sheathing your sidearm is feasible because there presumably aren't any opponents in melee range, so it makes sense to switch to a bow or crossbow.
Another reason is if you wanted to quickly mount a horse, in which case the backscabbard has the additional advantage of not interfering with mounting or riding the horse.
Shad, You are WAY more fit this year!
That time Shad twerked to prove his back scabbard didn't easily let the sword fall out :-)
Hehe....
46 minutes of no stop movement !!! I’m so happy to see how you are just full of beans and running about ! Great to see your better and love the videos keep up the brilliant work and quality!
And this my guy is why I love you!! Thanks, brilliant mine ❤😮
The great algorithm has brought us all together again. Well done. I listened to the entire thing and want swords to become fashionable again.
I always imagined that if I had to carry swords often, I'd carry the sword over my back cross-country and switch to a hip scabbard if I expected combat.
Like rifles. They get slung on hikes and set to low-ready when theyre expected to be used.
(Granted, the military doesnt carry rifles like that as much anymore, but hunters do. The military kinda needs to always be ready. Context and whatnot)
@@ALovelyBunchOfDragonballz and for this reason they use pistols(daggers) for self defence.
I'd probably just strap it to the side of my pack.
Years ago, me watching a certain hentai animation: "LOL yet the sword is staying sheathed on her back. Wouldn't it fall out with her bent over so far?"
2020, Shad makes a video showing the evidence
me: "oh. I guess it wouldn't fall out."
Shad, seconds later "there. it would only fall out if there was a fast repeated back and forth motion."
...
We need sause for research (joking)
Where is the sause.
We need to study the case. The image is required to determine te excat angle where it would have been possible for the sword to fall.
Yes, these are the questions that need to be asked.
Where's the sauce boss
Always happy when my boi link is mentioned in these analysis videos!
Quarentene, I love where you've been leading me to.
Shad “running on camera to show his lack of chronic fatigue” iversify
If I had a sword on my back I'd be scared that If I couldn't see it someone might steal it or sneak up to me and yank it back taking me with it and then I'd be super vulnerable .
Also you wouldn't be able to rest your hand on it to scare people insinuating you'd use it.
It would be harder to rest your hand on it casually, but when you do place your hand on it, it's probably going to be even _more_ threatening, especially since the sword, and now your hand, are right next to your face where they'd be looking when talking to you.
Actually it would be harder to steal a sword from a back scabbard because of its position, but on your side someone can run past and grab it and keep running.
If you’re scared of it being stolen, wear an additional sword! Shad shows a carrying point on his back, shoulder, and on his hip. Unless they have three hands, they won’t be able to steal all of them.
Which is why you implement a "lock" mechanism into the scabbard's hilt + sword's hilt. A Hook Lock "L" mechanism is good enough to lock your sword in the scabbard. Although, just like anything, don't find yourself between a rock and hard place, like someone grabbing your sword while ridding a horse. lol
@@j.wyliehartwell8769
Depends on how the sword's holster is fastened onto the waist, but with a lock/safety mechanism or quick reactions, anyone can steal the sword.
missed 2 things
1) indoor combat where there is a ceiling (or forest with low branches)
(really think this is the real reason)
2) elbow can't bed as sharp of an angle with armor
Your Kingswood with the green handle is beautiful
Imagine both Shad and Joerg Sprave going back in time, and we end up with medieval warfare full of back-scabbard-wielding men at arms advancing under enemy instant-legolas arrow fire.
I'd watch that miniseries
Joerg would probably go with crank operated automatic crossbows.
France: 1384
Englishman: Oi! Why you got that sword strapped to your back?
Frenchman: Because it is all ze rage with ze ladies in Hollywood.
you beenchattin' to Errol havent ya lol
*und wez geit tu converze in zis ootregous aceunt. zats whi*
*neu goo havay und bee zilly sumevere elze*
*'ollywood, si vous plait.
A scabbard on your back can be also a death sentence in combat. A lot of close combat involve grapple and sort and this is essentially adding points where an enemy could get an easy grip and with that wooden thing even quite the leverage. Have a random strong guy grab the wooden solid scabard and wiggle you around. 1on1 situations were by far not that common in medieval warfare. There are also theories that depending on scenario people were ditching their scabbards entirely anyway for the reasons you mentioned. They serve no purpose if your weapon is drawn anyway unless you carry a backup. Which two handed weapons were not.
Also your side sword is tremendously large for someone that uses another primary weapon. Furthermore is important to keep in mind that these big weapons were weapons of war. More often than not you knew when you had to fight and when not and they were properly stored or carried around akin to a polearm (If we talk about landsknechte etc.) Or on the side of a Horse. The idea of a single swordsman walking around with such a dedicated tool of war and not having a horse is more of an RPG trope which simply has no equivalent in medieval society. You are very lightly armed here. The entire idea about these big two handed swords was that sufficient armor, something you lack, would make a shield obsolet. Those weapons did not compete with shields. Armament was replacing and invalidating them mostly.
The argument about fashion and tradition has its merit but it is also condecending toward people that spend their live dedicated to warfare - and risk it. Especially with Landsknechte we have a new social group with its own fashion "revolution" that did not adapt such a style of carry. Also there are famous examples of fashion changing in medieval times anyway.
Very helpful videos here. I'm researching for my novel, and my MC uses a back scabbard because her specialty is dual weapons. Now I know putting the short sword on her back was the correct idea, but now I'm thinking of noting that the blade is shorter than her arm to make it believable.
I love this topic. Kinda find it entertaining on how fervently people argue one side or the other. Though sadly there doesn't seem to be enough people in the middle ground.
as usual, shad misses the point. when walking around with a sword on your side, your left hand is usually on the sword controlling it. the biggest reason is security. swords were extremely valuable. wearing it on the back makes it way too vulnarable for theft. someone coming up from behind can easily take it. but shad is too stupid to think of the obvious. just for this reason it wasn't done.
@@louiscyfer6944the ancient/medieval chinese and Japanese, and maybe the cells, say hi. they wore backscabards atleast sometimes.
That One Guy Ain‘t that always the problem, everywhere? ;)
14:40 -ish my suggestion of a reason to put sword your away: You're defending a castle on the ramparts and need to help shove off a scaling ladder before more people come up. That's something you'd want two hands for. You wouldn't want to abandon your sword in such frantic close-quarters/limited foot-room fighting, but if you fought the invaders off enough that you had a second to breathe, disposing of that ladder could be incredibly valuable in terms of defending your castle.
Stephen Tomsky this is such a cool reason! Wish shad would see it.
Possible, but if you are in close quarters fighting with your backup weapon then the enemy are already on the walls
If they aren't yet then a bow/crossbow/polearm would be preferable
You would only need one hand to push off a ladder.
Im not really into this kind of stuff, but this was actually so intresting.
That shield looks amazing!
The more I look at Shad's outfit, the more I want to wear something like it into battle. Forget plated armor and standard scabbards, just give me gambison and a Shabbard and I'm good to go.
It is pretty aesthetically pleasing and very unassuming to most modern viewers. It's something you could wear in public and while you'd look a little odd, you wouldn't draw as much attention as if you rode up wearing full plate.
I prefer full plate armor, but in a different style instead of the historical ones.
For casual use. It would be... shirt, short, underwear, socks, shoes, gloves... A black hooded jacket/sweater with the zipper in the center (optional) (similarly to the Nobody in Kingdom Hearts mixed with DMC's Dante/Vergil clothing.). In a gambison version with chain main over its surfaces. A gambison chain mail pants... Full plate articulated metal arms, legs, torso/back, belly, belt, and helmet.
All in the colors of jet black and silver. Put some skulls and chain design to it, but don't let it protrude outside of its geometric space.
@@VegetaLF7
Depends on the thickness and weight of the gambison. I prefer metal plate because it means I can slim down the gambison's thickness/weight. With a bit of paint, metal armor can look cool.
3 months ago, I watched the "I'm having surgery" video, so it's good to see you feeling better.
44:14 it was worth watching a 45 minute video, for this part.
I'm at 08:09, so I don't want to spoil it, I'll watch it (because goddamn it, of fucking course I will) and answer you later, good lad.
Here is the usual full support for your back catalogue.
I study medieval literature - in particular Arthurian literature- and it's always fun to imagine how the knights in the stories would carry their swords. I have to admit, picturing Lancelot, Gawain, and Yvain wearing swords on their backs is very cool. Such a great video!
What's proper pronunciation of Gawain? I'm sure in middle English it sounded much different from today. I've heard Gaw-win, Guh-wayne, and even Gwayne.
@@whosaidthat84 I say Gah-waine, that's how my professors always pronounced it! But I've heard it pronounced in those other ways too!
what if historically people needed to carry stuff like rations on their back, you can carry a lot more stuff with a backpack than a purse
And here we see the reason. They didnt have a Starbucks and McDonald's on every other corner back then and a walk to the next town could have taken days if not weeks. You have to be able to carry more than just your sword.
Also, his scabbard isn’t water proof. I mean medieval scabbards aren’t completely water proof either, but a bit of rain wouldn’t get in and soak the sword like his modified scabbard would
There are so many reasons a back scabbard would be less practical back in the days, and as much as I enjoy Shads content he is really doing a fair bit of mental gymnastics in order to portray a back scabbard as more practical in any sense.
@@agilagilsen8714 I'm sure he does a lot of research, but he seems to focused on what we see in modern pop culture. Back scabards look cool, but its just not practical.
Indeed on foot one would need storage, but on longer journeys isn't that usually where horses, mules or donkeys come in? (generally)
You should add some leather and really decorate the back scabbard. I love the design!
A con of having a sword on the back is also that someone on the street could just come up to you from behind and snatch it out of your back.
Thievery was very common back then, so people would rather have it on their side, with the grip facing their front, so it isnt as easy to grab and steal it.
Well not really, especially if it's a longer sword. With Shad's design there's a trick to getting the sword out quickly, that being pulling it to the side halfway through, and the thief would likely not notice that trick. Without using the trick the theif would have to reach over the person to get the whole sword out which is very noticeable. Even if the trick is used and the sword is pulled to the side halfway through it was be still noticeable.
I doubt that one could steal the sword from your back unnoticed. But anyone could actually walk up to you from behind, grab the sword grip/back scabbard and you would have zero chance to get your main weapon out for defence. Instead you would loose balance or get jerked around by that person with not much to fight back (maybe a dagger in your belt). No warrior would allow to get himself in such a weak position. Wearing arms on your back was only acceptable under rather safe conditions. Not when you were on your own, in unknown terrain or there was a slight chance for being attacked any time soon.
@@corumeach Thanks for sharing this theory. I like it.