[MR] The Falchion, A Lost Sword Type

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

Today I want to expound upon the falchion, a type of sword once common in
the middle ages, but now almost forgotten.

Flachions are/were single-edged weapons, usually with slightly curved
blades. That is about all we can say for sure, as falchions came in many
variations. Often said to be peasant weapons used like meat cleavers or
machates in chopping attacks, falchions were also carried by knights
and apparently used for slashing attacks. These weapons were common in
period illuminations.

Falchions were apparently fairly common in the 13th century, and variants
were used up into the 16th century. They reached their apex of style in the
15th century as fashionable Italian dueling swords. The German *messer*
sword is also similar to the falchion. For some strange reason few true
falchions still exist. There are only about 30 known surviving examples.

The most famous sword of this type is the Conyers Falchion. According to
legend this sword was used by Sir John Conyers to slay a dragon in 1063. The
Conyers Falchion actually dates to the second half of the 13th century. The
sword was a treasured heirloom of the Conyers family, and was used in the
installment ceremony for the Prince-Bishops of Durham. Today it is
preserved and displayed in Durham Cathedral. The Conyers Falchion was
probably the inspiration for Lewis Carroll's vorpal blade in his
"Jabberwocky" poem from ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Carroll grew up in the area,
and likely was familiar with the legend.

My first serious replica sword was a falchion, probably made by Windlass
arms. It was a Christmas gift from Lady Sarah Sinclair, and is a treasured
part of my small sword collection.

More about Falchions is at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falchion .

A page devoted to the Conyers Falchion, and similar swords in general, is
found at http://www.foxtail.nu/bjorn/h_conyers_eng.htm .

Yours Aye,


Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆
Continuing a crusade to keep the original Merry Rose relevant and in
business.