The Zweichander, or Espadon, is a two-handed sword that, by its very appearance, makes you feel fear. And in battle, this powerful blade is even more dangerous. However, no matter how long the researchers do not understand its history, and today there are a number of questions, the exact answer to which is not yet available.
The history of Zweikhander begins in the 14th-15th centuries, when the old knightly traditions of warfare, where the cavalry was the main one, gradually faded away. Now it was necessary to fight with soldiers armed with bows and crossbows, against whom knightly armor did not save. Then mercenaries enter the arena with long pikes and blades in their hands, one of which were the German landsknechts. It is they who are credited with wielding a two-handed sword today.
The question of the origin of Zweichander remains open today. There are disputes between scientists who were the authors of the weapon - the Germans or the Swiss. Indeed, on the one hand, the Germans owned swords, but on the other hand, the tactics of battle, and the very practice of attracting mercenaries like landsknechts, spread thanks to the Swiss.
Another question that historians cannot give an unambiguous answer is how exactly they fought with a baton. For a long time, the main version was that warriors armed with two-handed swords ran out in front of the formation and, with the help of powerful weapons, simply cut down the enemy's pikes, thus punching the path of the infantry. However, in reality, such tactics were akin to the behavior of a kamikaze, because a warrior who ran forward would most likely be quickly struck down by an arrow of a crossbow or bow.
Another version of the use of the Zweichander says that during the battle, their carriers were behind the pikemen and struck the enemy, giving the others an advantage. However, this point of view is also criticized: the fact is that for blows with a two-handed sword, a considerable swing is needed, and in a crush between two rows of pikemen this maneuver is quite difficult to do.
A more realistic version seems to be, according to which the zweihanders moved apart the peaks of the enemy, and already their warriors inflicted blows on the open places of enemies. Yet most researchers are inclined to believe that all three tactics were used on the battlefield depending on the circumstances.
The sword itself raises questions among historians. Zweichander samples of various types and sizes have reached us. So, it is known that the largest swords more than two meters long were not combat, but ceremonial. They fought in smaller specimens - from one and a half meters in length.
In addition, the art of wielding a two-handed sword is far from simple. First, you need to have sufficient physical data to cope with a heavy blade. And secondly, training with the Zweichander took several years.
Despite its bulky appearance, the Zweihander was designed not only for powerful strikes with a large swing. So, it was assumed that in certain situations a warrior would be able to fight even with the pommel of the sword, so they sometimes took the weapon by the blade and struck with a guard.
READ ALSO:How to identify a spy: is it true that the nails in the soles of German boots differed in the shape of a hat from Soviet
Another important device was the so-called "boar's fangs" - protrusions at some distance from the guard, which helped to parry enemy attacks.
Interesting fact: the section between the guard and boar tusks also has a name - ricasso.
The combat history of Zweichander goes back no more than three centuries, because with the advent of firearms, the tactics of warfare changed again, and there was no longer a place for huge two-handed swords. However, they remained in the chronicles of medieval wars, and today, as well as five hundred years ago, they continue to impress everyone who sees their power.
>>>>Ideas for life | NOVATE.RU<<<
The departure of the knightly era in history changed not only the approach to weapons, but also to defense: Unhurried era, or How did the soldiers of European armies defend themselves after abandoning solid armor.
Source: https://novate.ru/blogs/040120/52955/