an incoming weapon simultaneously with a countercut. Motions such as
ducking, sidestepping, and leaping forward or back were employed as
needed. Fighting effectively with a shield did not entail dancing about un-
necessarily, but neither was it about merely standing one’s ground.
The sword and shield positions were offensive. As with any hand
weapon, a shield is an extension of the arm. It dramatically increases the
ability of the forearm to block and the fist to hit. The medieval shield was
held at a slight angle to freely deflect blows away from the body with the
companion weapon ready to strike.
Each shield shape lent itself to particular tactics and conditions of bat-
tle. The familiar round shield offered excellent coverage and mobility. The
unique teardrop, kite-shaped shield offered superb coverage with little
movement. Its lower end could strike out by being thrown against the op-
ponent’s thigh, knee, or shin, or at the opponent’s shield to beat or knock
it. Its extended length could parry low attacks at a safe distance without
lowering to expose the head or shoulders. Smaller, thicker, more triangular
shields allowed cuts and thrusts to be delivered from all around them with-
out loss of protection. Such small shields were better suited to fighting in
plate-armor and also allowed warriors to get in closer to their adversaries
to stab at them. Plate-armor eventually led to the decline of the use of
shields and to modifications of sword types, as well.
As armor gradually changed, newer forms of swords were devised.
Improvement in armor altered the effectiveness of swords, and a process of
reaction and response ensued. These changes in sword forms affected ap-
plication. A change occurred from wider blades with parallel edges to nar-
rower tapering ones, with a significant change in handling and cutting.
Narrow, tapering, sharply pointed blades have a balance and center of
gravity somewhat closer to the hilt, and this encourages greater speed and
agility in certain techniques. A narrower blade shape (1–1 1/2 inches wide)
has slightly less weight and a better balance that allows for a quicker switch
from a cutting angle of attack to a more horizontal stabbing motion and
back again. When thrusting or parrying, shorter, quicker (and therefore
more deceptive) movements of the arm were possible. Long-swords and
great-swords equipped with such blades allowed for powerful thrusting
against heavier armors.
The adoption of plate-armor as defense against heavier swords and
pole-arms and powerful archery caused less need for a shield. It also left the
second hand free to use on a larger sword. Longer grips capable of being
used in two hands had first come about because of the need for giving more
forceful blows against increasingly tougher armors. A double-hand method
of gripping allowed still heavier blades to be handled, which in turn further
required better armor. Larger swords were needed that were sturdy enough574 Swordsmanship, European Medieval