Royal Armouries swords at Museum Replicas Limited (USA): bit.ly/3V9MGeV Royal Armouries Shop (UK): shop.royalarmouries.org/collections/windlass-swords www.youtube.com/@RoyalArmouriesMuseum/store
When I lived in Harrogate I was a member of the Royal Amouries. They offered monthly Saturday "classes" where they taught topics that are not displayed in the museum and behind-the-scenes exhibits. Great place.
Fantastic episode. I was stationed in central Germany for a long period in the early 2000s. I loved going to the armories and speaking to the experts about the design and evolution of weapons. Once in southern Germany a curator explained to me (disclaimer might be pure speculation) when you see a weapon that has slabbed handle/grips it might be because there where prohibitions on certain classes carrying swords, but all free men could carry a knife. So some of the swords were made to accommodate a single hand (like a knife) they had slabs covering the grips(like common knives). He likened it to how everytime a weapon is banned in the USA manufacturers figure a way around the regulations. Like I said might be pure speculation, but he articulated his case very well.
The murmur and look you give the camera when Tzouriadis mentions the partisan coming from Italy - it was sensual. :o That takes a passion for the subject!
24:00 there is actually a 16th century yemeni short sword made from an italian partisan blade, which really looks like a cinquedea (private collection, Mk Antiques)
One of my favorite short swords is the Swiss Degen. I carry one as part of my early 16th century Reislaufer kit. Given the strong swiss and German presence in northern Italy at the time, it's exciting to think of how these two swords might have met on the battlefield. Infact it strikes me as curious that there seems to be a strong theme on these weapons from these interconnected cultures around the late 15th/early 16th century weapons existing on a wide spectrum between dagger and sword
I always think back to Bronze age Unetice daggers when I see one of these... but then, I can see an arms mercahnt saying "If you buy a dozen partizans I will throw in a cinquedea for the squad leader..."
Without being a specialist and claiming to have exclusive knowledge of the evolution of weapons historically, I can say that this weapon has all the distinguishing characteristics (minus the noticeable length of the blade) of the Ancient Roman dagger - "Pugio":))
My guess would be that the cinquedea are a development and an enlargement of the Roman pugio dagger. And I thought I read somewhere that the blades of the cinquedea slowly grew wider and wider primarily to allow a larger space for decoration on the scabbard. Is that right do you think??? The only reason for the distinctive crossguard construction on the original, that I can think of is that it would allow the maker to 'fit' both sides of the quillons to the flats of both sides of the blade, following the shape of the fullers by filing. This allows the crossguard to fit almost perfectly to the blade. Rather than having to make a slot for the blade to go through (usually at the bottom of a shallow rebate) on a usual crossguard. How is the crossguard fitted to the windlass reproduction? As it looks like the tang is too wide for a slotted crossguard to go over it. Did they copy the 'sandwhich' technique of the original??? If so, I'm impressed with the design.
Fascinating I've always been curious about the cinquedea because I'd only seen the "shorter" if you can call an 18" dagger short ones there in the Royal Armouries 🙂 This reminded me of Dr Tobias's theory about them being the early Italian remembrance of the classical period and their obvious place as very ornate sidearms meant to push the limit of what was considered a dagger or a sword, I've always been curious whether anyone's actually managed to find more to it or not? 🙂 And yes please I'd like to see a schiovona I love those things, being part Scottish my family introduced me to the Claymore before I'd been to Italy and seen one, the contrast makes them so sleek for something you'd use in a lot of the same ways 😊
Looking at it with admittedly very little formal training, the hilt looks to be so designed as to enable the welder to change grip very easily but also maintain edge alignment, and with all that steel in the hilt and the upper part of the blade I'd guess the PoB is only a few inches in front of the cross guard, so it would be more nimble than it initially looks.
Imagining this as a weapon for civilian situations makes sense. This should be a superlative cutter against targets that lack armor. Even thick, ceremonial robes should part easily against this blade. At the same time, someone in 16C armor should be more or less immune to this weapon. Also interesting that you begin by comparting this to an oversize dagger, and end by saying it might have been wielded like a messer - which I suppose is another oversize dagger. :o
Main theory is that a whole bunch of bronze age parazonium and xiphos were in some nobles curiosity cabinets. Because bronze is more durable, it probably was the main thing that was accidentally unearthed and kept around everywhere. But at the time ancient history was extremely (extremely) crude. Even though it could very well be 4000 years old artifacts, they thought it was roman swords. So with the enlightenment they fashioned their sword on the shape of these "roman swords" which were bronze age artifacts. The handle constrution is basically that of a xiphos and the shape of the sword is extremely inspired from a bronze sword design. So basically it's a quiproquo. It's like being a british empire enthusiast but you find a bunch of celtic swords on a site and think it's a british empire sword.
They look great. As a civilian i would prefer somewhat different. For me i think it should show up as a weapon of some man who shows you he can defend his self. As a every day carry i think they are too clumsy if you have to expect a real fight.
The British Museum has Cesare Borgia Cinquedea hidden away -worth a look. Aut Caesar, aut nihili. He was a bullfighter of repute would such a sword be handy for decapitating such an animal? Similar proportions to the large kukuri used for Gadhimai though point of balance , percussion would be different. Can this be checked?
The blades of the replica and the Original both appear to be verry thin. The damage on the Original looks like folded edge that was reforged seen here. It would be informative to have information on the construction of the blades. From here they look like dynamite cutters.
It's interesting how they have a very similar grip to that of a Balkan/Ottoman kindjal dagger (I may have misspelled that). Btw, Matt, could you please feature some of the tomahawk-size hand axes of the Muslim world? For example: the tabar, aka tabarzin. Thank you!
Royal Armouries swords at Museum Replicas Limited (USA): bit.ly/3V9MGeV
Royal Armouries Shop (UK): shop.royalarmouries.org/collections/windlass-swords
www.youtube.com/@RoyalArmouriesMuseum/store
Yes I'd love a good replica Schiavona
This one’s a pain to get, you have to drop down behind the Beast Clergyman’s house
😆Man, I wish there was a schiavona in Elden Ring.
Schiavona would be interesting to see but if the royal amouries happen to have an original Katzbalger laying around I‘d be totally up for one!
The Royal Armouries have some of everything in this world 😂
I vote for a schiavona review.
In Italy, at the time it was used, the blade was considered a large dagger or knife, "daga maestra", or simply known as "lengua di boe" (ox tongue).
I have been waiting almost 10 years for either Matt, Skall, or Lindy to cover a schiavona.
This.
Matt did a little in previous years, I guess 8min video or something mentions it ...
A cinquedea longsword hybrid would be cool
The Albion Principe is kind of like that. Best cutting sword.
I think that existed a 1 hand sword but after that lenghness they stopped(too much heavy I guess? Or maybe too much large (not thick but large))
In my head, this is a DWARVEN weapon design...
Look like a cross between an Anglo-Saxon sword & a Gladius
When I lived in Harrogate I was a member of the Royal Amouries. They offered monthly Saturday "classes" where they taught topics that are not displayed in the museum and behind-the-scenes exhibits. Great place.
Cinquedea: the Renaissance Five Finger Death Punch!
Yay! I absolutely love these. They just have a cool look!
I can just listen to Iason Eleftherios Tzouriadis all day, such a calming voice.
hurrah for iason, a fellow Greek in teh Royal Armoury, so proud!
κάνει το επάγγελμα που θα ήθελα να κάνω! τυχερός και άξιος!
More Mat Easton videos, LETS GOO!!
YES Do the Schiavona Replica!
That'd be fun with a buckler.
Definitely not an easy Appendix Carry option
😂
They were commonly worn across the back, Kidney Carry
Not with this attitude, no.
+][+
Fantastic episode. I was stationed in central Germany for a long period in the early 2000s. I loved going to the armories and speaking to the experts about the design and evolution of weapons. Once in southern Germany a curator explained to me (disclaimer might be pure speculation) when you see a weapon that has slabbed handle/grips it might be because there where prohibitions on certain classes carrying swords, but all free men could carry a knife. So some of the swords were made to accommodate a single hand (like a knife) they had slabs covering the grips(like common knives). He likened it to how everytime a weapon is banned in the USA manufacturers figure a way around the regulations. Like I said might be pure speculation, but he articulated his case very well.
This has been my understanding also.
So very appreciate this video
Man, Thank you for adding one of these to your line. I’ve been waiting for someone to make a good Cinquedea replica for years.
Yes, a Schiavona Royal Armory’s replica would be great
Fascinating discussion! I would love to see more of Iason on the channel. I love his videos on the Royal Armouries channel.
Outstanding blade!
the overall shape of them and that hilt really reminds me of the pugio!
Fascinating peace of history
The murmur and look you give the camera when Tzouriadis mentions the partisan coming from Italy - it was sensual. :o That takes a passion for the subject!
24:00 there is actually a 16th century yemeni short sword made from an italian partisan blade, which really looks like a cinquedea (private collection, Mk Antiques)
Audio is too quiet. It very much looks like an Italian encountered a messer or a katzbalger and had something made up with Italian flare.
Thank you for the video ⚔️
One of my favorite short swords is the Swiss Degen. I carry one as part of my early 16th century Reislaufer kit. Given the strong swiss and German presence in northern Italy at the time, it's exciting to think of how these two swords might have met on the battlefield.
Infact it strikes me as curious that there seems to be a strong theme on these weapons from these interconnected cultures around the late 15th/early 16th century weapons existing on a wide spectrum between dagger and sword
For about 70 years , swabian Hohenstaufen dynasty had been also Kings of Naples.
The edc currently in England is a spork, is it not 🤭? Oh, just checked, they are banned now too.
These days you can be arrested for being found in possession of a sharp tongue...
@ well played.😂if you could be fined for a dull wit the supporters of tyranny would be broke
A Matt Easton saber would be great. I think it does look similar to a gladius. At least enough to think a gladius influence is there.
It actually looks more like Luristan bronze swords, and the handle almost looks like one from a qama straightsword
I always think back to Bronze age Unetice daggers when I see one of these... but then, I can see an arms mercahnt saying "If you buy a dozen partizans I will throw in a cinquedea for the squad leader..."
Without being a specialist and claiming to have exclusive knowledge of the evolution of weapons historically, I can say that this weapon has all the distinguishing characteristics (minus the noticeable length of the blade) of the Ancient Roman dagger - "Pugio":))
My guess would be that the cinquedea are a development and an enlargement of the Roman pugio dagger. And I thought I read somewhere that the blades of the cinquedea slowly grew wider and wider primarily to allow a larger space for decoration on the scabbard. Is that right do you think??? The only reason for the distinctive crossguard construction on the original, that I can think of is that it would allow the maker to 'fit' both sides of the quillons to the flats of both sides of the blade, following the shape of the fullers by filing. This allows the crossguard to fit almost perfectly to the blade. Rather than having to make a slot for the blade to go through (usually at the bottom of a shallow rebate) on a usual crossguard. How is the crossguard fitted to the windlass reproduction? As it looks like the tang is too wide for a slotted crossguard to go over it. Did they copy the 'sandwhich' technique of the original??? If so, I'm impressed with the design.
They always make me think of a sort of Katzbalger.
Fascinating I've always been curious about the cinquedea because I'd only seen the "shorter" if you can call an 18" dagger short ones there in the Royal Armouries 🙂
This reminded me of Dr Tobias's theory about them being the early Italian remembrance of the classical period and their obvious place as very ornate sidearms meant to push the limit of what was considered a dagger or a sword, I've always been curious whether anyone's actually managed to find more to it or not? 🙂
And yes please I'd like to see a schiovona I love those things, being part Scottish my family introduced me to the Claymore before I'd been to Italy and seen one, the contrast makes them so sleek for something you'd use in a lot of the same ways 😊
Thanks for correcting the way.I've been mispronouncing the name of that sword
this type of blade would have been even more effective when used as a bayonet or a spear head
Are you retarded?
Looking at it with admittedly very little formal training, the hilt looks to be so designed as to enable the welder to change grip very easily but also maintain edge alignment, and with all that steel in the hilt and the upper part of the blade I'd guess the PoB is only a few inches in front of the cross guard, so it would be more nimble than it initially looks.
Your videos always leave a deep imprint in the hearts of your viewers. Thank you for your creativity and sincerity!💧👠⌛️
Look at Matt, being a fanboy 😊
Could the grip be ottoman inspired via Sicily? Just a feeling.
I just know it as the Boromir sword
It actually almost looks like those luristani bronze swords. It even has a luniform handguard
10/10 would definitely use in Skyrim
Imagining this as a weapon for civilian situations makes sense. This should be a superlative cutter against targets that lack armor. Even thick, ceremonial robes should part easily against this blade. At the same time, someone in 16C armor should be more or less immune to this weapon. Also interesting that you begin by comparting this to an oversize dagger, and end by saying it might have been wielded like a messer - which I suppose is another oversize dagger. :o
A Messer is in german simply a knife, says nothing about size.
The grip looks very similar to the roman pugio, especially with being decorated
So thats where Boromir's sword was patterned off.
Main theory is that a whole bunch of bronze age parazonium and xiphos were in some nobles curiosity cabinets. Because bronze is more durable, it probably was the main thing that was accidentally unearthed and kept around everywhere.
But at the time ancient history was extremely (extremely) crude. Even though it could very well be 4000 years old artifacts, they thought it was roman swords. So with the enlightenment they fashioned their sword on the shape of these "roman swords" which were bronze age artifacts.
The handle constrution is basically that of a xiphos and the shape of the sword is extremely inspired from a bronze sword design.
So basically it's a quiproquo.
It's like being a british empire enthusiast but you find a bunch of celtic swords on a site and think it's a british empire sword.
Great you figured it out. History is complicated.
Also how are the celts not British???
it seems to be a tight fitting restrictive hilt design the same principle as the Baselard dagger and Indo Persian hilts
"What did the five fingers say to the face?" _*stab_
Sidearm for a pavise crossbowman?
Def do the schiavona, plz
It is equivalent to a sort of Italian katzbalger? Edit ... Oh, Matt makes the same analogy lol.
They look great. As a civilian i would prefer somewhat different. For me i think it should show up as a weapon of some man who shows you he can defend his self. As a every day carry i think they are too clumsy if you have to expect a real fight.
Ciao folks!
I like fullers too
I would love a good Schiavona
The British Museum has Cesare Borgia Cinquedea hidden away -worth a look. Aut Caesar, aut nihili. He was a bullfighter of repute would such a sword be handy for decapitating such an animal? Similar proportions to the large kukuri used for Gadhimai though point of balance , percussion would be different. Can this be checked?
more Iason
Schiavona please
Partisan (history/geography/link) please
"regional" weapons video(s) please
ITALIAN COLDSTEEL CINQUEDEA!!!!
Schiavona please
The Roman connection I see is in the pugio which has a somewhat similar blade shape (in general) and a similar hilt design.
This is where my thought went as well. Thank you.
Convergent evolution until you can prove a direct lineage unfortunately
It's a knife, yes?
The blades of the replica and the Original both appear to be verry thin. The damage on the Original looks like folded edge that was reforged seen here. It would be informative to have information on the construction of the blades. From here they look like dynamite cutters.
They kinda look like a gladius.
Sciavona, see
It's interesting how they have a very similar grip to that of a Balkan/Ottoman kindjal dagger (I may have misspelled that).
Btw, Matt, could you please feature some of the tomahawk-size hand axes of the Muslim world? For example: the tabar, aka tabarzin. Thank you!
But does it take Glock mags😊
Obviously, they are broad swords. Duh.
And, from the handles, really, broad messers.
Or, a basketless broad messer.
Your videos are always filled with warmth and kindness. Thank you for your generosity and openness!☃️🗽🦉
Deadly against flesh. Useless against armor.
The falchion of daggers.