Swords

[perteltote]

I have been doing a little research and today I learned that historically longswords would have weighed only 3.5-4 lbs.  I had imagined something more like a sledgehammer  and had been wondering how the nightwatchman used them so easily.  IKR!  It all makes sense now, even I could do some serious damage with something like that!

Comments

[wastingyourgum]

True, but remember what we see in RH aren't really "longswords" - longswords are two handed weapons. Arming swords are what most people would have been using.

[perteltote]

Thanks for the link! Here's what incresed my understanding from it:

arming swords were used until "technological changes led to the rise of the longsword in the late 13th century"

"Arming swords are sometimes incorrectly referred to as longswords or broadswords"

Ah, I believe the source I was reading was using the term longsword a little too broadly -- it was covering a period extending for several centuries so must have used a term only applicable to the latter part to cover the whole period. But it looks like the description of the weapons and usage was correct since I read the part about one-handed swords often used without armour :)
Interestingly, Show was more accurate than I gave it credit for though I believe none of the characters actually correctly represent a good swordsman (they are all too emotional and reckless when they fight)

[wastingyourgum]

See that big knob on the end? No, not Guy's...

The hilt and pommel are made to balance the blade. You should be able to balance a good sword on a couple of fingers just forward of the hilt.

Also that long groove cut out of the middle of the sword is not for Marian's magical invisible blood to run down, it's actually to reduce the weight of the blade.

And as noted 4lbs is for an actual longsword which would usually be wielded with both hands. The shorter single-handed swords in the show would be 2 or 3 at most.