How much did the knights' swords weigh? Damask swords: the most valuable type of weapon of the knights in Ancient Rus'

And Princess Toropetskaya, Rostislava Mstislavovna, left an unforgettable mark on the history of Rus'. As soon as the conversation comes up, most of us remember the Battle of the Ice. It was then that the troops under the command of the prince drove out the Livonian knights. Not everyone remembers that he received his nickname for another feat. It was first mentioned then legendary sword Alexander Nevsky. This event dates back to 1240. In a place called Ust-Izhora, in a battle led by the prince, the Swedes were completely defeated.

In 1549 he was canonized for refusing to unite with Catholic Church, and thus preserved Orthodoxy in Rus'. Slaven was also Grand Duke because he never lost a single battle.

Mystical sword

Russian troops won, despite their minority. Nevsky was an amazing tactician, so thanks to his intelligence and fearlessness, the warriors defeated the enemy. There is also a mystical episode in this story. According to legend, the enemy was mortally frightened by the sword of Alexander Nevsky, which glowed very strangely. Alexander had excellent command of this weapon, taking off the heads of three Swedes at once with one blow. But, as they say, fear has big eyes. The mystical aura was most likely given to the weapon by the Swedish soldiers to justify their defeat. And Alexander Nevsky’s sword simply fell under the rays of the sun.

The fact is that the Russian troops were positioned facing heavenly body. His beam hit the raised sword, and the frightened Swedish army mistook it for something supernatural. In addition, in this battle, the prince broke a gun on the head of Birger, the leader of the enemies. Having won this battle, Prince Alexander received his sonorous nickname - Nevsky.

Find of the monks

After the legendary battle, the sword of Alexander Nevsky was placed in the house of Pelgusius. Later, this building burned down and all property, including weapons, remained under its ruins. There is also information that in the 18th century, some monastic farmers discovered a sword while plowing the land.

How was it? The incident dates back to 1711. On the site of the Neva Battle, following the decree of Peter I, a temple was founded. Not far from him, the monks were cultivating the land for crops. Here they found a legendary weapon, or rather, parts of it. They were placed in a chest. The clergy decided that the sword should be in the temple. When its building was completely rebuilt, parts of the weapon were placed under the foundation so that the blade would become a talisman of this place. And the most extraordinary thing is that since then not a single natural disaster could not destroy the church.

The October Revolution made its own adjustments to history: all the documents that were in the temple were burned. Not long ago, historians found the manuscript of a white officer and a true patriot. He devoted several pages from his diary to describing the sword of Alexander Nevsky. The White Guard warrior believed that Russia would remain indestructible as long as the mystical blade was kept on its territory.

How much did the average sword weigh?

A warrior in the 13th century could handle a sword weighing about 1.5 kg well. There were also blades for tournaments, they pulled 3 kg. If the weapon was ceremonial, that is, not for battles, but for decoration (made of gold or silver, decorated with gems), then its weight reached 5 kg. It was impossible to fight with such a blade. The heaviest weapon in history is considered to be the sword that belonged to Goliath. The Bible testifies that the opponent of David, the future king of Judah, was simply enormous in stature.

How much did Alexander Nevsky's sword weigh?

So, we have already figured out that the prince’s weapons are identified with Slavic relics. There is talk among people that allegedly his weight was 82 kg, that is, 5 pounds (16 kilograms are equal to 1 pood). Most likely, this figure was greatly embellished by the chroniclers, because information about the power of the blade could reach the enemies. These data were invented to intimidate them, and Alexander Nevsky’s sword weighed 1.5 kg.

As you know, at the time of the battle Alexander Yaroslavovich was 21 years old. His height was 168 cm and his weight was 70 kg. No matter how much he wanted, he could not fight with a sword weighing 82 kg. Many Soviet viewers imagined the prince to be two meters tall after the release of the famous film “Alexander Nevsky” in 1938. There, the prince was played by Cherkasov, an actor with outstanding physical characteristics and a height of about two meters.

Below is a photo of Alexander Nevsky’s sword; naturally, this is not an original weapon, but simply a stylization of a Romanesque type sword, which was the prince’s blade.

And if you look at the picture below with the image of Prince Alexander Nevsky, you will notice that the blade in his hands is depicted too large.

No one can unequivocally answer the question: “Where is the legendary sword now?” For sure, historians know only one thing: the blade has not yet been discovered in any of the expeditions.

Sword in Rus'

In Rus', only the Grand Duke and his squad had the right to constantly carry a sword with them. Other warriors, of course, also had blades, but in times of peace they were kept away from human eyes, because the man was not only a warrior, but also a farmer. And carrying a sword in peacetime meant that he saw enemies around him. Just to show off, not a single warrior wore a blade, but used it only to protect their homeland or their own home and family.

ItsElf 13-05-2004 14:03

Good afternoon
on the Internet I mainly find information about the maximum weight of 5-6 kg, sometimes 8 kg is found
according to other information, the weight of swords reached 16-30 kg
what's true? is there any confirmation?
thanks in advance!

Jerreth 13-05-2004 16:50

quote: On the Internet I mainly find information about the maximum weight of 5-6 kg, sometimes 8 kg is found
according to other information, the weight of the swords reached 16-30 kg

ItsElf 13-05-2004 18:12

thanks Jerreth

apsara 14-05-2004 01:08

/Indeed, in the Middle Ages there were very real 15-25 kg swords, outwardly more or less a copy of combat ones, with a thickened profile, sometimes filled with lead - the so-called “wall” ones./
If it's not a secret, where does this information come from? Too luxurious for the Middle Ages... Maybe later imitations? In general, they use two-handed weapons to chop for hours only in films; they could deliver several blows to cut through a formation, say, and that’s all.

Strelok13 14-05-2004 01:30

When you mention a two-handed sword, you immediately see Rutger Hauer in the movie Flesh and Blood, with a long flamberge on his shoulder. In general, in the museum on Poklonnaya Hill, above the stairs, is displayed trimmed with gold and precious stones, but otherwise it looks like a completely steel sword weighing about fifty, probably kilograms. It was handed over to the museum by President B.N. Yeltsin, it is unknown whether Boris Nikolayevich used it in battles before he gave it to the museum or not, but even if it was simply dropped on the enemy’s leg, it, that is, the sword, is undoubtedly capable of causing severe injury.

Dang 14-05-2004 11:43

He played tennis for them.

GaiduK 18-05-2004 08:50

Hello!
In Warsaw I saw (museum of the Polish army) an original two-handed weapon, I think from the beginning of the 15th century - 16 kg, looking at it for a long time I could not understand how to take it in my hands (the thickness of the handle is at least 45 mm) so I think it is something like decorative.
There I also had to hold in my hands a pretty good replica of a flamberge - 3100g,
The replica was made by the British brothers based on the original (that’s what they said, and I have no reason not to believe them).
In my opinion, it’s better to kill a sword heavier than 5 kg at home.

Chef 18-05-2004 10:41

In France, at a medieval festival, I had the opportunity to observe a local historical reconstruction club in action. Among other things, they demonstrated fencing techniques with a two-handed sword. I'm not a big expert in the field of edged weapons, but the difference from fighting with conventional swords was noticeable. First of all, the fact that the sword in two hands also served as a shield. Placed vertically with its tip into the ground, it made it possible to parry slashing blows from the side and from below. As the participants later explained to me, two-handed swords were mainly used in battles between heavily armed opponents (knights in armor), but even among the knights, not everyone could wield them due to their heavy weight. They gave me to hold the sword that they had used in the duel five minutes before. It weighed 8-10 kg and, as I was told, was an exact copy of the museum sword.

Jerreth 18-05-2004 12:14

quote: They gave me to hold the sword that they had used in the duel five minutes before. It weighed 8-10 kg and, as I was told, was an exact copy of the museum sword.

GaiduK 18-05-2004 19:38

"Reconstruction tournaments" vav....

Corporal 18-05-2004 20:13

quote: Originally posted by Jerreth:

Firstly, TOURNAMENT swords are not combat swords, they are a little heavier (or not a little) - just like the current “stuff” that they use at iron reenactment buhurt tournaments. Secondly, museums are full of completely real “decorative” weapons. Here, for example: http://www.claudiospage.com/Graphics/Weapons/Zweihandschwert_1500.jpg
Italy, approx. 1500 17 cm blade width! We've never fought like this in our lives. But he is very real.

Hello. As far as I remember, this example of a “sword” was once called the “Boar Sword”, well, at least it is very similar in shape, and accordingly it was used in hunting...
Regarding the weight of 8 kg or more, gentlemen, you won’t be enough for 5 minutes of battle, and making such a sword so that the “bro” comes out screams loudly and then swings several times heroically and dies, expensive fun.
I think the drabants and flamberges lived even longer, but not everyone will be allowed in, and not everyone will go. And Rudger H. in the film “Blood and Flesh” (as I understand it) meant by his persona a “drabant”, and he walked around with a two-handed weapon.

Jerreth 19-05-2004 12:15

http://www.armor.com/2000/catalog/item918gall.html
Here is a real "boar" (hunting) sword. A characteristic, but completely different form, although it is also two-handed.

And Hauer also ran with a two-handed weapon in “Lady Hawk”, but there was a normal knightly greatsword there.

And there are also “two-hundred-kilogram boarding cleavers,” and one-handed ones. And according to the description, they look more like a cross between a scimitar and a two-meter piece of rail.

Corporal 07-06-2004 04:01

No....well, people, you really need to figure out what we're talking about....."the weight of a two-handed weapon." As I understand it, some have seen this miracle in museums, some have held it in their hands, and some have delved into knowledge on this topic while lying on the couch, and of course there will be someone here who was able to “try out” this invention.
Even if you are at least three times hefty and fat, why would you need a sharpened crowbar in battle???????????????if you can make it lighter and more convenient and, most importantly, more effective.
And what difference does it make later whether you drive your enemy headlong into the ground or cut him in half.........
Best regards Corp...

Despite the fact that in Ancient Rus' The cult of the sword was less widespread than, for example, in medieval Japan, it undoubtedly existed, and it was given a very significant place in the life of our ancestors. Being both a military weapon and a sacred attribute during the performance of many sacred rites (especially in the pagan period), the sword firmly entered into Russian history and became important element national culture.

The sword as an attribute of folklore

The ancient Slavs, like other inhabitants of that era, used the sword as their main weapon for many centuries. With its help they fought off the attacks of foreigners, and with it they themselves went to rob their neighbors. If some Serpent Gorynych happened to get in the way, then his heads would roll on the ground, cut down with the same sword.

These weapons became an integral part of their lives to such an extent that they were vividly reflected in the folk epic. It is enough to open a collection of Slavic epics, and you will inevitably come across such expressions as “heroic sword”, “treasury sword”, “sword ─ a hundred heads from the shoulders”, “self-cutting sword”, self-cutting sword”, etc. In addition, its acquisition and further possession always provided the hero with the protection of certain mystical powers and made him invincible.

Is a sword a piercing or cutting weapon?

This is how the sword is presented in epics, but what can modern historians tell about it? First of all, it is necessary to refute the common misconception that the most ancient Slavic swords were exclusively chopping weapons and had not a point, but a rounded end. Despite the absurdity of this point of view, it turned out to be surprisingly tenacious. People of the older generation obviously remember that previously, even in illustrations for editions of folk epics, the swords of Slavic heroes were depicted, as a rule, with rounded ends.

In fact, this contradicts not only the results scientific research, but simply common sense, since fencing technique involves not only chopping, but also piercing blows. This is understandable, since a shell or any other armor is easier to pierce than to cut.

Below it will be noted that the first most common swords of the ancient Slavs (Carolingian) were imported from Western Europe, where they were produced according to the samples used in Ancient Rome. Thus, Russian and ancient Roman swords were, although distant, but still “related,” which gives the right to assume a certain commonality in them.

In this regard, it would be appropriate to recall the ancient Roman historian Tacitus, who, in describing military operations, repeatedly emphasized the advantages of a piercing strike, which was more rapid and required less space for its execution. In the Icelandic sagas there is a mention of how warriors committed suicide by throwing themselves at the point of a sword.

And although there is no description of Slavic swords in domestic chronicles, since the main task of these documents was to illuminate the general course historical events, without unnecessary detail, there is every reason to believe that the weapons of our ancestors were in many ways identical to those that were used then in Western Europe, and even earlier - in Ancient Rome.

Swords from the Carolingian dynasty

Conventionally, the swords of Slavic warriors, according to their external features, can be divided into Carolingian and Romanesque. The first of them appeared in Rus' in the 9th century, that is, back in the pagan period of its history, but in general, a similar design was developed a century earlier by Western European gunsmiths. In the article, swords of this type are presented in the 2nd and 3rd photographs.

The name of this type of sword is explained by the fact that they appeared in Western Europe at the final stage of the era of the Great Migration, when most of the states that were part of it were united under the rule of Charlemagne, who became the founder of the Carolingian dynasty. Their design is an improved development of ancient swords, such as the spatha - a bladed weapon that was widespread in Ancient Rome.

In addition to the external features of Carolingian type swords, which are clearly visible in the photograph presented in the article, they distinctive feature there was a blade manufacturing technology that was very advanced for that time. It provided increased hardness of the cutting edge and at the same time protected the blade from excessive fragility, which could lead to its breakage.

This was achieved by welding blades forged from steel with a high carbon content onto a relatively soft iron base. Moreover, both the blades themselves and their bases were made using a variety of technologies, which were usually kept secret. Making swords of this type was a very complex process, which inevitably affected their cost. Therefore, they were attributes only of rich people ─ princes and governors.

For the bulk of military men, there was a simplified, and therefore cheaper, design of the Carolingian sword. There were no welded high-strength linings, and the entire blade was forged from simple iron, but at the same time it had undergone cementation ─ heat treatment, which made it possible to slightly increase its strength.

As a rule, swords of the Carolingian type, regardless of whether they were made for the nobility or for ordinary warriors, reached a length of 95-100 cm and weighed from 1.5 to 2 kg. Larger examples are known to historians, but they are quite rare and were apparently made to order. The handles of the swords consisted of elements traditional for such designs, such as a rod, a pommel (a thickening at the end of the handle) and a crosshair. They are easy to see in the attached photograph.

Romanesque sword - a weapon of the Capetian era

In a later historical period, which began in the 11th century and spanned the next two centuries, the so-called Romanesque sword became widespread, examples of which can be seen in the 4th and 5th photographs in this article. Its homeland is also Western Europe, where, due to its high cost, at an early stage it was an attribute exclusively of the knightly class. Another fairly common name for this sword is Capetian. It originated similarly to the Carolingian from the name of the ruling dynasty, this time the Capetians, which was firmly established by that time and had the widest influence on European politics.

This sword also has a third name, which has appeared in our time. Together with later samples dating back to the 14th-15th centuries, it is classified by researchers and collectors in a group designated by the general term “knight’s swords”. Under this name it is often mentioned in popular science and fiction literature.

Features of such swords

Many researchers note that in the West, this type of sword played a rather auxiliary role as a weapon, but was considered as an important distinguishing feature of social status. In the majority European countries Late Middle Ages Only nobles had the right to wear it, and girdling with a sword was an integral part of the knighting ritual. At the same time, the law prohibited its possession and wearing by persons from lower social strata. Once in Rus', the Romanesque sword also at an early stage became the property of only the upper classes.

The main distinguishing features of these swords, which usually had a discreet appearance and were devoid of any decoration, were the design and technique of their manufacture. Even at a cursory glance, attention is drawn to their rather wide blades, which have a lens-shaped (biconvex) cross-section and are equipped with fullers ─ longitudinal recesses designed to reduce its weight while maintaining overall strength.

Unlike the blades of Carolingian swords, they did not have linings, but were made either from a single piece of high-strength steel or by the lamination method, in which the shell was quite strong, but the soft core remained inside. The forged sword was thus very strong and sharp, but at the same time elastic and resilient, which reduced its fragility.

An important feature of laminated blades was the relatively low labor intensity of manufacturing, which significantly reduced their cost. Thanks to this, having arrived in Rus' in the 11th century, swords of this type became attributes not only of princes, but also of their numerous warriors. They became even more widespread after they began to be produced by local gunsmiths.

Two-handed swords

Over time, a new modification of swords of this type appeared. If previously they were all one-handed, then gunsmiths began to produce two-handed swords made on the basis of this technology. It was no longer a ceremonial weapon, but a purely military weapon. Their elongated handles made it possible to hold the sword with both hands and thus deliver stronger and more destructive blows to the enemy. Despite the fact that the dimensions of the sword were only slightly larger than those of its predecessor, the desired effect was achieved due to a significant increase in the mass of the blade. Only in some specimens that have come down to us does its length exceed 100-110 cm.

Handles for both one-handed and two-handed swords were made mainly of wood. Much less often, materials such as horn, bone or metal were used for this purpose. Their design was not varied. Only two main variants are known: composite (of two separate halves) and solid tubular. In any case, the handle had an oval shape in cross-section. Depending on the wishes and capabilities of the customer, it had a certain coating, which created additional convenience and at the same time was an element of the decorative design of the entire sword.

In the photographs of Romanesque swords presented in this article, it is clearly visible that their crosspieces differ significantly from those with which their Carolingian predecessors were equipped. Thin and long, they served reliable protection warrior from blows against the enemy’s shield. Despite the fact that similar crosspieces appeared in the previous era, they became widely used only in Romanesque swords, becoming one of their distinctive features. They were made both straight and curved.

The secret of the Persian gunsmiths

In addition to the blade manufacturing technologies described above, their production from damask steel has also become widespread. Such products have earned such great fame that in the folk epic heroes struck enemies exclusively with damask swords. Even the word “damask steel” itself became a household word and included a number of concepts associated with military valor and courage. By the way, it came from the name of one of the localities of Ancient Persia ─ Puluadi, where products made from this type of steel first appeared.

As for the purely technical term “damask steel”, it is a general name for a number of alloys obtained by combining hard and viscous types of iron and further increasing their carbon content. In a number of indicators, damask steel is close to cast iron, but significantly exceeds it in hardness. In addition, it is forgeable and hardens well.

The manufacturing technology of damask steel, from which many types of Slavic swords were forged, is very complex and was kept secret for a long time. An external distinctive feature of damask steel is the presence on the surface of products made from it of a characteristic pattern resembling a pattern. It occurs from incomplete mixing of the components included in it (which is an important part of the technological process), each of which is visible due to its special shade. In addition, the main advantage of damask blades is their extraordinary hardness and elasticity.

Researchers do not have a common opinion about when damask steel appeared. It is only known for certain that the first mentions of it are found in the works of Aristotle dating back to the 4th century BC. e. In Rus', the production of damask blades was established back in pagan times, but they were forged exclusively from steel imported into the country by overseas merchants. As mentioned above, the technology for its production was kept by oriental craftsmen in the strictest confidence, therefore all daggers, sabers, one-handed and two-handed swords, as well as other domestically produced edged weapons were produced from imported raw materials.

In Russia, the secret of damask steel was discovered only in 1828 at the Zlatoust plant by a prominent mining engineer of that time, Major General Pavel Petrovich Anosov, who, after numerous experiments, managed to obtain a material completely similar to the famous Persian steel.

Blacksmith master

The craftsmen who produced in their forges all the edged weapons of Ancient Rus', from daggers to swords, deserve special attention. It is known that their profession was considered honorable, and those who specialized in the production of swords were generally surrounded by a mystical aura. The chronicle has preserved for us the name of one of these craftsmen - Ludota, who forged damask swords back in the 9th century and became very famous for their exceptional quality.

In Ancient Rus', and especially in the pre-Christian period of its history, the pagan god Svarog, the guardian of certain sacred knowledge. Before starting to forge the next sword, the master always made a sacrifice to it and only after that began work. At the same time, the priests performed a number of magical actions, thereby turning the ordinary work of a craftsman into a kind of sacrament, for which they received the due fee.

It is known that damask steel, for all its advantages, is very capricious and difficult to process, so special skill and skill was required from the blacksmith. Considering its extreme high cost, it is clear that only true craftsmen who made up a certain, extremely closed corporation could forge damask swords.

Custom made swords

Both in private collections and in the collections of various museums around the world, you can often find Slavic swords, made to order and carrying certain distinctive features their owners. One of these swords can be seen in the photo above. They are distinguished from other examples of ancient weapons by the finishing of the handles, for which colored and also precious metals, enamel and blackening.

It was not customary to indicate the owner of the sword on the hilt or blade, but special meaning was given to the depiction of mythological scenes associated with it and the inscription of the names of ancient gods or totem animals. In accordance with this, the swords received their names. Thus, today there are known swords called Basilisk, Reuvit, Kitovras, Indraka and many other names of representatives of ancient mythology.

As you can see, this custom had very specific reasons. The owners of swords were warriors who were famous, if not for personal valor, then at least for the military exploits of their squads. The mere mention of their swords was supposed to terrify possible opponents.

In addition to the finishing of the weapon, its design features could tell researchers a lot. For example, the weight of the sword and its dimensions usually corresponded to the physical capabilities of the customer. Therefore, identifying this or that instance with a specific historical figure, historians received additional information about him.

The sacred meaning of the sword among the Slavs in ancient times

It is also interesting to note the fact that the people’s attitude towards everyone in general Slavic swords had a somewhat sacred connotation. For example, the custom of the ancient Russians was known to place a naked sword near their newborn son, as if symbolizing that in the future he would have to gain wealth and glory through military exploits.

Magic swords occupied a special place, with the help of which our ancient ancestors carried out certain religious ceremonies. Runic spells were applied to their blades and hilts, giving the owner the strength to resist not only real opponents, but also all kinds of mystical forces.

A number of similar artifacts were discovered by archaeologists during excavations of ancient burials. Their finds are explained by the belief that existed among the ancient Slavs, according to which a sword that had mystical power, always died along with the death or natural death of its owner. He was lowered into the owner's grave, performing certain magical actions. It was believed that after this all his sacred power was taken away by Mother Earth. Therefore, swords stolen from burial mounds did not bring good luck to anyone.

The sword is a symbol of military valor and glory

The sword, which for many centuries was the main weapon of the Russian warrior-combatant, served at the same time as a symbol of princely power and was a kind of emblem of the military glory of Russia. It is no coincidence that his cult survived even after edged weapons were everywhere replaced by firearms. Suffice it to remember that many signs of military valor were applied precisely to blades and hilts.

Its symbolic and partly sacred meaning the sword was not lost even in modern world. Suffice it to recall the famous figure of the Warrior-Liberator, created by the sculptor E. V. Vuchetich and installed in Berlin's Treptower Park. Its most important element is the Sword of Victory. He also appears in another work by the sculptor - the figure of the Motherland, which is the center of the memorial ensemble on Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd. E. V. Vuchetich created this work in creative collaboration with his colleague ─ N. N. Nikitin.

In the mail that comes to the editorial e-mail, the same question often appears.

There are three known swords that are attributed to Russian princes. This is the Carolingian sword of Prince Svyatoslav Igorevich, the Gothic sword of Prince Dovmont of Pskov and the one-and-a-half-handed sword of another Prince of Pskov - Vsevolod. Let's briefly touch on each of them.

Sword of Prince Svyatoslav Igorevich

In a word, there is a substitution. Apparently real sword Prince Vsevolod fell into disrepair over time or was lost. It was then that it was replaced with the best sword, the most worthy of the memory of the Grand Duke.

Sword of Prince Dovmont of Pskov

Not everything is simple with Prince Dovmont’s sword either. Let's start with the fact that Prince Dovmont himself is a very interesting person. He was expelled from the Baltic states, where he reigned and found a new homeland in Pskov. The Pskovites, under his command, defeated the Teutonic Order in the battle of the knightly castle of Rakvere - this battle is also called the Battle of Rakovor.

The legendary researcher and sword collector Ewart Oakeshott points out that Gothic-type swords were used at the end of the century, but they came into widespread use in the 14th century.

And here the situation is “50/50”. In principle, Dovmont could have wielded such a sword, but then it must have been one of the very first swords of its type. And if this turns out to be true, then we have another reason for national pride.

Sword of Prince Boris, brother of Gleb

Even in ancient Russian literature, the sword of Prince Boris is mentioned - this refers to the holy martyrs Princes Boris and Gleb, highly revered in the ancient Russian squads.

It is also believed that the sword of Prince Boris hung in the room of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. After the conspirators killed the prince, one of the killers took this sword for himself. Subsequently, the weapon was never mentioned anywhere else.

What about the sword of Prince Alexander?

It is unknown to science. However, you don't have to give up. We'll decide everything now.

Of course, Alexander Nevsky had a sword, and most likely not even one. Perhaps this is even one of those swords that lie in our museums, in storerooms or on display cases. Another thing is that we don’t know him by sight.

But we can use old Holmes' deductive method. So, first let’s remember when Alexander Nevsky lived.

Dates of his life: May 13, 1221 - November 14, 1263. In other words, the middle of the 13th century.
This is the time of the Romanesque type sword.

At the top is a sword of a transitional type, from Carolingian to Romanesque. Below is a Romanesque type sword. It has a long thin guard that protects the warrior’s hand, and a fuller that is noticeably shorter than the blade itself.

Consequently, the sword of Prince Alexander Nevsky, as a typical weapon of its time, should also have weighed about a kilogram and a quarter.

Are weapons preserved in the swamps of the Neva? The answers to these questions are saturated with mysticism and supported by chronicles of that time.

Alexander Nevsky is one of the most majestic figures in Ancient Rus', a talented commander, strict ruler and brave warrior, who received his nickname in the legendary battle with Sweden in 1240 on the Neva River.

The weapons and protective equipment of the Grand Duke became Slavic relics, almost deified in chronicles and lives.

How much did Alexander Nevsky's sword weigh? There is an opinion that Five Poods

The sword is the main weapon of a warrior of the 13th century. And wielding an 82-kilogram (1 pound is a little more than 16 kg) melee weapon is, to put it mildly, problematic.

It is believed that the heaviest sword in the history of the world was the sword of Goliath (the king of Judea, a warrior of enormous stature) - its mass was 7.2 kg. In the engraving below, the legendary weapon is in the hand of David (this is the enemy of Goliath).

Historical information: an ordinary sword weighed about one and a half kilograms. Swords for tournaments and other competitions - up to 3 kg. Ceremonial weapons, made of pure gold or silver and decorated with gems, could reach a mass of 5 kg, however, it was not used on the battlefield due to its inconvenience and heavy weight.

Take a look at the picture below. It depicts the Grand Duke in ceremonial uniform, and therefore a larger sword - for the parade, to add greatness!

Where did the 5 poods come from? Apparently, historians of past centuries (and especially the Middle Ages) tended to embellish actual events, presenting mediocre victories as great, ordinary rulers as wise, ugly princes as beautiful.

This was dictated by necessity: the enemies, having learned about the valor, courage and mighty strength of the prince, had to retreat under the onslaught of fear and such power. That is why there is an opinion that Alexander Nevsky’s sword “weighed” not 1.5 kg, and as much as 5 poods.

The sword of Alexander Nevsky is kept in Rus' and protects its lands from enemy invasion, is this true?

Historians and archaeologists do not give a definite answer about the possible location of the sword of Alexander Nevsky. The only thing that is known for sure is that the weapon was not found in any of the numerous expeditions.

It is also likely that Alexander Nevsky did not use the only sword, but changed them from battle to battle, since edged weapons become jagged and become unusable...

13th century tools are rare relics. Almost all of them are lost. The most famous sword, which belonged to Prince Dovmont (ruled in Pskov from 1266 to 1299), is kept in the Pskov Museum:

Did Alexander Nevsky's sword have magical properties?

In the Battle of the Neva, the Slavic troops were outnumbered, but many Swedes fled the battlefield before the battle began. Was this a tactical move or fatal accident– it’s not clear.

Russian soldiers stood facing to the rising sun. Alexander Nevsky was on a dais and raised his sword up, calling the soldiers to battle - at that moment the rays of the sun hit the blade, causing the steel to glow and frightening the enemy.

According to the chronicles, after the Battle of the Neva, the sword was taken to the house of elder Pelgusius, where other precious things were kept. Soon the house burned down, and the cellar was filled with earth and debris.

From this moment we begin a journey through the shaky world of speculation and conjecture:

1. In the 18th century, monks built a church near the Neva. During construction, they discovered Alexander Nevsky's sword broken in two.
2. The monks rightly decided that the fragments of the blade should protect the temple from harm, and therefore they placed them in the foundation of the building.
3. During the revolution of the 20th century, the church and its accompanying documents were destroyed.
4. At the end of the 20th century, scientists discovered the diary of Andrei Ratnikov (a white officer), several pages of which were dedicated to the legendary blade.

How much did Alexander Nevsky's sword weigh? One thing we can say for sure: not 5 pounds, most likely like a regular blade 1.5 kg. It was a beautiful blade that brought victory to the warriors of Ancient Rus', turning the course of history!

And yet I would like to know whether there was powerful magic contained in it...