[MR] The Falchion, A Lost Sword Type

[WILLIAM SOUCY]

Early in my SCA career (1990-1995) when I lived in the Barony of Western Seas, Caid (Hawaii) I had made a falchion for rattan combat. It was cumbersome, but fun. Because of the wide blade it gave a little extra protection from arrows though, so that was a bonus. :D

William Ringlancer


> On 12/21/2024 6:30 AM EST Garth Groff and Sally Sanford via Atlantia <atlantia at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org> wrote:
> 
>  
> 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.
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