Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) involves the study and modern practice of combat techniques based on historical sources. Among its most iconic elements are the swords. Far from generic weapons, each type carried a unique role in its time, shaped by evolving armour, tactics, and social customs. Understanding these swords helps practitioners appreciate the demands of historical combat systems and the traditions behind the disciplines they train in today.
The longsword is perhaps the most recognisable weapon in HEMA circles. Often associated with the German and Italian schools of fencing from the 14th to 16th centuries, it features a cruciform hilt and a blade that allows for both cutting and thrusting. Typically wielded with two hands, its design balances power with speed.
Historical masters like Johannes Liechtenauer and Fiore dei Liberi left detailed treatises that form the basis for much of today’s longsword practice. The longsword was never a clumsy brute weapon, as often depicted in popular media. Instead, it was adaptable, used for binding, winding, and counter-fencing, often requiring a high level of control and tactical awareness.
Preceding the longsword, the arming sword was the standard knightly weapon of the High Middle Ages. Used predominantly with a shield, it was a single-handed weapon with a straight, double-edged blade. Its size made it practical for both battlefield and judicial combat, and it appears regularly in early combat manuscripts.
In modern HEMA, the arming sword features heavily in interpretations of I.33, one of the earliest known fencing manuals. This manuscript focuses on sword-and-buckler techniques, highlighting the arming sword’s agility and its role in defensive and offensive coordination.
The messer, which translates to “knife” in German, is a single-edged weapon that occupies an ambiguous place between sword and large knife. It was a civilian sidearm common in the German-speaking regions during the 15th century. Despite its humble appearance, the messer has a comprehensive set of techniques, some of which mirror longsword movements.
Practitioners studying the messer often follow the teachings of Johannes Lecküchner, whose treatise provides insight into its dynamic and aggressive use. The messer is an ideal weapon for understanding late medieval self-defence and urban combat.
With the shift toward civilian duelling in the 16th and 17th centuries, the rapier emerged as the dominant sword for personal combat. Unlike its medieval counterparts, the rapier is optimised for thrusting, with a long, narrow blade and elaborate hilt for hand protection.
Rapier fencing in HEMA is based largely on Italian and Spanish sources, including masters like Capo Ferro, Fabris, and Thibault. The weapon’s use involves precise footwork, timing, and blade control. Though often romanticised, the rapier’s complexity reflects a period when honour and skill in fencing were closely intertwined.
The sabre brings HEMA into the modern era, representing the military and duelling traditions of the 18th and 19th centuries. Its curved blade is well-suited to cavalry and infantry alike, with a focus on cutting from horseback and later in foot duels.
British, Hungarian, and Italian sabre systems are widely practised, with figures like Alfred Hutton reviving interest in historical fencing during the Victorian period. The sabre blends elegance with efficiency and serves as a bridge between classical fencing and older traditions.
Seven Swords takeaway
The variety of swords used in HEMA reflects the evolution of European martial culture. Each weapon is studied not simply for its form, but for the techniques and philosophies that defined its use. Whether practising the precision of the rapier or the binding plays of the longsword, HEMA offers a tangible connection to centuries of martial heritage. It is not about nostalgic re-enactment or theatrical display, but about uncovering how these weapons were truly meant to be used, and why they mattered in their own time.
