During the early 16th Century, decapitation was typically set aside for the nobility. While the ax was popular in England, executioner swords were used all over Central Europe for hundreds of years and particularly Germany, hence the common phrase, “German executioner sword”.
Although executioner swords are no longer used today, here are some historical facts that may justify including one in a collection or merely to share with your fellow historians.
What is an Executioner Sword?
An executioner’s sword was exclusively crafted for the beheading of criminals and not for combat. Due to the nature of its use, the sword was mainly found in the royal armouries. Designed for use with two hands but lacking a point, the blade length was similar to a sword wielded with a single hand, around 80–90 cm (31–35 in). The quillons were relatively short and straight, with a pear-like or multidimensional pommel.
In the Middle Ages, beheadings were carried out with normal swords and the earliest recognized executioner’s sword dates back to ca. 1540. Executioner swords were widely used in late 17th-century Europe before falling out of favor around the 18th century to 19th century. According to history, the last people to be beheaded using executioner swords were from Switzerland in 1868.
While such practices are long gone and forgotten, sword executions are still practiced, in Saudi Arabia using long swords. Representational designs were frequently engraved on the blades of executioners’ swords to give them special meanings. Executioner swords were also used by communities for sacred religious activities to symbolize judicial power.
Can Executioner Swords Be Used for Combat?
Executioner’s Sword. Bronze mounts, wooden grip, pommel and quillons en torsade with etched inscriptions in German. ( Source)
Swords were skillfully crafted close-quarters combat equipment. The sword‘s edge, point, and shield guard were designed to optimize its adaptable, human-damaging potential. That being said, the executioner’s arcane equipment (whether a sword, ax, or other instruments) is not primarily destined for battle but functions to provide swift death. While using an executioner’s sword as a standard sword is possible, it has poor dexterity and wielders would need to use both hands to support the weight.
These European swords are forged using a chunk of steel or iron, with no tip and heavy edging. Additionally, its grip was made specifically to enhance chopping rather than fighting in close-quarters combat. The lack of a tip in the sword clearly indicates that the sword was not meant for thrusting. Unless wielders were pressed to use the sword for combat, executioner swords would only be used for the intended purpose.
Why Were Executioner Swords Preferred Over Other Tools?
While executioners had preferences when it came to picking their tool of choice, most would go for the executioner’s sword. This is because the sword was regarded as more prestigious. Additionally, these swords were preferred because they could be used with the convicted kneeling yet upright.
However, with the ax, the convicted needed to lean forward while still kneeling. Being upright and kneeling was considered a more honorable way to die as it was compared to the position assumed when praying. It was therefore seen as a death of a god-fearing person while death by ax was comparable to that of a lowly animal.
Uses of Executioner Swords
Most of us would agree that the executioner sword is meant for a darker purpose, but it also has several benefits. If you are cosplaying as an adventurer, an executioner’s sword would make sense as it can be useful against creatures that need to be decapitated or chopped.
An executioner sword also has inherent advantages such as for heavy chopping purposes. While its chopping capacity cannot compare to the ax, it is much greater than the average sword.
Maintenance of Executioner Swords
Maintaining an executioner sword is probably the easiest out of all sword types as it does not need much sharpening. The blade’s weight compensates for its sharpness and makes the cutting easier as the weight adds to its swinging power. Nonetheless, some executioners would sharpen their swords often to make the chopping swift and cleaner.
Like other types of swords, the executioner sword has to be kept dry to prevent rusting. After every use, it would be thoroughly cleaned, dried, and kept in its scabbard. Although the steel or iron used to craft the sword was tempered and strengthened, it was always stored on its pommel or flat rather than on its tip. Anyone looking forward to owning one of these exceptional historical swords can follow the same maintenance tips to keep the sword in good shape.
Conclusion
Though uncommon among warriors, the executioner sword is an iconic piece with great history, explaining why sword enthusiasts regard it highly. Although the sword‘s weight keeps it from being a close-quarters combat weapon, it still makes a good display piece.
Today, most manufacturers design the executioner’s sword after historical models preserved in the Medieval Crime Museum and use upgrades such as carbon steel which is as good as what was used in the medieval ages. Whether you want to use it as a cosplay piece or simply to add to your collection, this sword will see your quests through.
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Written by: Jolene Sim
Jolene has been writing and editing for almost a decade and concentrates on medical and technical writing. Currently working with a good friend to make Sword Encyclopedia a success, she has a newfound interest in history. Identifying as an introverted couch potato, she enjoys geeking out with anime, gacha games, and books from authors like Diana Wynne Jones, JRR Tolkien, JK Rowling, and more. Her other interests include art, music, food, travel, and different cultures.
Juliana has been writing for nearly thirty years and concentrates on Tudor and Medieval history. She has written for Tudor Dynasty, Tudor Writing Circle, Historian Matt Lewis, and others. Juliana currently writes for Pen and Sword Publishers and is the author of several books, including Medicine in the Middle Ages and A History of Insanity and the Asylum.
