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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Galethorn" data-source="post: 2128348" data-attributes="member: 7888">As many have said before (but hopefully with a few extra points and some added clarity...)Actual Terms Used HistoricallyLongsword: A light two-handed sword, which started out as a longer version of the one-handed cutting swords of the early middle ages, but evolved into especially stiff and pointy cut-and-thrust weapons.Broadsword: A type of infantry sword that came into vogue during the renaissance, which was characterized by a basket-hilt, and an emphasis on the cut over the thrust; they are specifically associated with the scots. Oh, and they were double-edged, and much wider than the rapiers or sabers that were being used at the same time.Bastard Sword: A sword with a blade of one-handed proportions, but with a handle long enough to use with both hands; they were much more common in the late middle ages, and often featured complex quillons (AKA crossguards).Short Sword: Any single-handed sword during the era at which the longsword was in vogue (the late middle ages).Greatsword: An especially big and heavy longsword that could stand up better to use against armor.Two-Hander: Even bigger than a greatsword; came into use in the early renaissance to deal with pikemen (or so the theory goes).Warsword: A particularly big cutting sword during the early to high middle ages, usually usable with one hand or two, but best with two.What The D&Disms Were Actually CalledLongsword: Sword (in the early middle ages), or Arming Sword (later on), Short Sword, or (almost at any time) a One-Hander. Or, if it had a longer hilt, a Bastard Sword.Bastard Sword: Longsword (if it's at the smaller end of the spectrum, and/or good at poking), Warsword (if it's an earlier one that's good at chopping), or Greatsword (if it's a big one).Greatsword: Two-hander (AKA Zweihander or Spada de Dui Mani) or Bearing Sword.Shortsword: Baselard, Poignard, 'Long Dagger', Ballock/Kidney-Dagger, or Coustille (for the big daggers), or Gladius (if it's really old), Cinqueda (for the ones that start of really wide and get really pointy), or even just 'short sword' if you don't want to use french or italian words.</blockquote>

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