The Battle of Tewkesbury (4 May 1471) saw Yorkist and Lancastrian forces clash in a brutal engagement during the Wars of the Roses. While polearms dominated the field, swords served as critical secondary weapons. Below, we analyse seven key swords used in the battle, focusing on their dimensions, weight, and utility against 15th-century armour.
Overview Table: Sword Types and Specifications
| Sword Type | Avg. Length | Avg. Weight | Blade Design | Effectiveness vs Armour | Primary Users |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arming Sword | 75–90 cm | 1.0–1.5 kg | Straight, double-edged | Moderate (vs mail/gaps) | Knights, Men-at-Arms |
| Bastard Sword | 100–120 cm | 1.4–2.0 kg | Straight, tapered | High (versatile thrusting) | Nobles, Veteran Soldiers |
| Longsword | 110–130 cm | 1.5–2.2 kg | Straight, two-handed | High (precision thrusts) | Elite Warriors |
| Falchion | 70–85 cm | 1.2–1.8 kg | Curved, single-edged | Low (vs plate), High (cloth) | Infantry, Common Soldiers |
| Estoc (Tuck Sword) | 90–110 cm | 1.6–2.3 kg | Stiff, edgeless | Very High (armour piercing) | Knights, Dismounted Men |
| Great Sword | 140–180 cm | 2.5–3.5 kg | Massive, two-handed | Moderate (crowd control) | Shock Troops, Bodyguards |
| Cinquedea | 40–60 cm | 0.8–1.2 kg | Broad, dagger-like | Low (sidearm utility) | Nobles, Mercenaries |
Detailed Analysis: Effectiveness Against Armour
1. Arming Sword
- Vs Plate Armour: Limited; relied on targeting gaps (armpits, visor slits).
- Vs Mail/Cloth: Effective for slashing exposed limbs.
- Role: Backup weapon after polearms broke.
2. Bastard Sword
- Vs Plate: Thrusting tip could penetrate mail or joints.
- Versatility: Two-handed grip improved leverage against helmets.
- Historic Example: The Wallace Sword (Scotland, c. 1500) shares similar traits.
3. Longsword
- Half-Swording: Fighters gripped the blade to thrust precisely into armour gaps.
- Mordhau Strike: Pommel used as a hammer against plate (rare at Tewkesbury).
4. Falchion
- Chopping Power: Ideal for incapacitating lightly armoured foes (padded jacks).
- Limitation: Curved edge glanced off plate; rarely used by knights.
5. Estoc
- Armour Piercing: Stiff, narrow blade designed for mail and plate gaps.
- Tactics: Used in demi-grips (one hand on blade, one on hilt) for precision.
6. Great Sword
- Reach Advantage: Disrupted enemy pike formations.
- Anti-Cavalry: Slashed at horses’ legs; ineffective against plate.
7. Cinquedea
- Close Combat: Broad blade caused severe wounds in grappling.
- Ceremonial Use: Often carried by nobles as a status symbol.
Comparative Table: Sword vs Armour Types
| Sword Type | Plate Armour | Mail Hauberk | Padded Jack | Helmet (Sallet/Bascinet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arming Sword | Poor | Moderate | High | Moderate (visor thrusts) |
| Estoc | Excellent | High | Low | High (eye slits) |
| Falchion | Poor | Moderate | High | Low |
| Longsword | High | High | Moderate | High (precision strikes) |
Context: Why Swords Were Secondary Weapons
At Tewkesbury, most combatants prioritised polearms (e.g., bills, halberds) for their reach against plate armour. Swords were drawn:
- When formations broke into melee.
- To finish off wounded foes.
- In confined spaces (e.g., abbey skirmishes).
Key Sources
- The Sword in the Age of Chivalry (Ewart Oakeshott, 1964).
- Medieval Warfare: A History (Maurice Keen, 1999).
- Royal Armouries Museum (Leeds) collections.
Note: Weights and lengths are based on surviving 15th-century examples and modern replicas.
The swords of Tewkesbury reflect the era’s arms race between increasingly sophisticated plate armour and weapons designed to exploit its weaknesses. While the estoc symbolised anti-armour innovation, most soldiers relied on polearms for practicality, a testament to the battle’s brutal pragmatism.
