Weapons & Armoury

The knight's principal weapon was his sword and this is reflected by the extent of the weapons use in the Society's displays. The sword came in a variety of sizes, the most common being the single handed battle (or broad) sword, others included the hand and a half sword, the two handed sword (similar to the Scottish claymore) and the wide bladed falchion.

Secondary weapons included axes, maces, flails and war hammers. A selection of the Societiy's weapons can be seen below.

The knight's main armour of the period was chain mail, although this was often supplemented by plate on the arms and legs and at vulnerable joints. Less well off knights and footsoldiers could wear scale armour, leather gamboussons or a coat of plates (a precursor of the modern flak jacket) Helmets ranged from the kettle hat (quite similar to the British WW2 helmet) to the great helm, which is often seen in period films during tournements or jousting.

 

Weapons/Arfau
English To Welsh Armoury Translations

1.Battle Sword: Cleddyf Rhyfel

• Blade-Llafn
• Pommel-Cnap/Corf
• Crossguard-Trawsgard
• Handle-Carn
• Point-Pwynt
• Scabbard-Gwain
• Fuller-Pannwr

 

2. Mace: Brysgyll

• Fluted-Rhychog
• Flanged-Fflans/Wedi fflansio.

id est-Brysgyll Rhychog/ Brysgyll wedi fflansio. 

3. Flail: Ffust

Morning Star: Seren y Gwawr/Seren Bethlehem
Bishop's Knocker: Cnociwr yr Esgob

4. Warhammer: Morthwyl Rhyfel.

Crow's Beak: Pig y Fran.

5. Poniard: Dagr

Bassilard: n/a
Misericord: n/a
Falchion: n/a

6. Hand and Half: Llaw a Hanner

7. Bearded Axe: Bwyell Farf

8. Spear: Gwaewffon

9. Shield: Tarian

10. Armour: Arfwisg