A flame-bladed sword or wave-bladed sword has a characteristically undulating style of blade. The wave in the blade is often considered to contribute a flame-like quality to the appearance of a sword. The dents on the blade can appear parallel or in a zig-zag manner. The two most common flame-bladed swords are rapiers or Zweihänders. A flame-bladed sword was not exclusive to a certain country or region. The style of blade can be found on swords from modern-day Germany, France, Spain,[1] and Switzerland.[2]
The two-handed flame-bladed sword is referred to by the German Flammenschwert (literally "flame-sword"). These swords are very similar to the two-handed sword or Zweihänder, the only difference being the blade. The design of the blade is decorative along with being functional by causing unpleasant vibrations while parrying. Still, the undulating blade is no more effective at cutting than a straight one.[3] An advantage over swords with a straight blade is that a waved blade could better distribute the force of impact and thus was less likely to break.[4] It could also threaten the opponent in a duel and may have discouraged them from grabbing the blade.[1] Like other Zweihänders, they were used during the 16th century by the Landsknechts (well-trained and experienced swordsmen) for single-fights, protecting castle/town walls, or sometimes to protect the banner on the battlefield.[5]
FlambergeEdit
Flamberge is not a fit term to use for flame-bladed swords because of the many different connotations it has. Despite coming from the French "flamber", meaning "flaming", it has been used to refer to swords without the flamed-blade.
Egerton Castle used the term to refer to swords that were a transition from the rapier to the smallsword.[6] These swords did not necessarily have an undulated blade. Castle makes note of this being the case of certain Swiss rapiers, but flamberge quickly became a disdainful term in France to refer to flamboyant swords.[7] This comes from the French expression "Mettre flamberge au vent", meaning "To put [the sword] in the wind". Here, it is suggested that the wielder of the sword likened it to the mythical sword Durendal, which alternatively was called flamberge. [2][7]
The term is a frequent name or alias for swords in medieval chansons de geste and romances. Here, it often just meant a large sword.[8]
Freemason Flame-bladed swordsEdit
In the past a number of freemason lodges used flame-bladed swords in their ceremonies and indeed a number of them still at least have their swords. There is one in the museum at the Grand Lodge Freemason's Hall in London UK. Freemason sources suggest a symbolic connection to the ‘flaming sword’ from the Book of Genesis 3:24.[9]
GalleryEdit
A Flammenschwert. This is a two-handed sword featuring an exceptionally long blade and hilt, a wide crossguard, and a ricasso with a pair of parrying hooks
Kris — a Southeast Asian bladed weapon with a similar flame-shaped blade
ReferencesEdit
^ abMuseum, Victoria and Albert. "Rapier | Unknown | V&A Explore The Collections". Victoria and Albert Museum: Explore the Collections. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
^ abCastle, Egerton (1885). Schools and Masters of Fencing. p. 522.
^"Definitions & Study Terminology: Medieval & Renaissance Sword Forms and Companion Implements". The Association for Renaissance Martial Arts (ARMA). Retrieved 27 July 2018.
^Rosolenne, Jordan (2022-01-18). "Flamberge: A Complete Review Of The Flame-Bladed Sword". Swords Corner. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
^Oakeshott, Ewart (2000). European Weapons and Armour. Woodbridge: Boydell Press. p. 148. ISBN9781843837206.
^Castle, Egerton (1885). Schools and Masters of Fencing. Mineola, New York: Dover Publications. p. 383. ISBN9780486138756.
^ abOakeshott, Ewart (2000). European Weapons and Armour. Woodbridge: Boydell Press. p. 238. ISBN9781843837206.
^Counson, Albert (1907). "Noms épiques entrés dans le vocabulaire commun". Romanische Forschungen. 23 (1): 401–413. ISSN 0035-8126. JSTOR 27935661.
flame, bladed, sword, this, article, about, historical, swords, mythological, weapons, flaming, sword, mythology, entertainment, performance, props, flaming, sword, effect, flame, bladed, sword, wave, bladed, sword, characteristically, undulating, style, blade. This article is about historical swords For mythological weapons see Flaming sword mythology For entertainment performance props see Flaming sword effect A flame bladed sword or wave bladed sword has a characteristically undulating style of blade The wave in the blade is often considered to contribute a flame like quality to the appearance of a sword The dents on the blade can appear parallel or in a zig zag manner The two most common flame bladed swords are rapiers or Zweihanders A flame bladed sword was not exclusive to a certain country or region The style of blade can be found on swords from modern day Germany France Spain 1 and Switzerland 2 A FlammenschwertThis article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Flame bladed sword news newspapers books scholar JSTOR August 2013 Learn how and when to remove this template message Contents 1 Flambard Flammard and Flammenschwert 2 Flamberge 3 Freemason Flame bladed swords 4 Gallery 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksFlambard Flammard and Flammenschwert EditThe two handed flame bladed sword is referred to by the German Flammenschwert literally flame sword These swords are very similar to the two handed sword or Zweihander the only difference being the blade The design of the blade is decorative along with being functional by causing unpleasant vibrations while parrying Still the undulating blade is no more effective at cutting than a straight one 3 An advantage over swords with a straight blade is that a waved blade could better distribute the force of impact and thus was less likely to break 4 It could also threaten the opponent in a duel and may have discouraged them from grabbing the blade 1 Like other Zweihanders they were used during the 16th century by the Landsknechts well trained and experienced swordsmen for single fights protecting castle town walls or sometimes to protect the banner on the battlefield 5 Flamberge EditFlamberge is not a fit term to use for flame bladed swords because of the many different connotations it has Despite coming from the French flamber meaning flaming it has been used to refer to swords without the flamed blade Egerton Castle used the term to refer to swords that were a transition from the rapier to the smallsword 6 These swords did not necessarily have an undulated blade Castle makes note of this being the case of certain Swiss rapiers but flamberge quickly became a disdainful term in France to refer to flamboyant swords 7 This comes from the French expression Mettre flamberge au vent meaning To put the sword in the wind Here it is suggested that the wielder of the sword likened it to the mythical sword Durendal which alternatively was called flamberge 2 7 The term is a frequent name or alias for swords in medieval chansons de geste and romances Here it often just meant a large sword 8 Freemason Flame bladed swords EditIn the past a number of freemason lodges used flame bladed swords in their ceremonies and indeed a number of them still at least have their swords There is one in the museum at the Grand Lodge Freemason s Hall in London UK Freemason sources suggest a symbolic connection to the flaming sword from the Book of Genesis 3 24 9 Gallery Edit nbsp A Flammenschwert This is a two handed sword featuring an exceptionally long blade and hilt a wide crossguard and a ricasso with a pair of parrying hooks nbsp A one handed sword of the flamberge type nbsp Members of the Pontificial Swiss Guard with Flammenschwerten nbsp A flame bladed sword with swept hiltSee also EditColichemarde blade a type of robust smallsword blade Flaming sword mythology figurative flaming swords in mythology Kris a Southeast Asian bladed weapon with a similar flame shaped bladeReferences Edit a b Museum Victoria and Albert Rapier Unknown V amp A Explore The Collections Victoria and Albert Museum Explore the Collections Retrieved 2022 07 27 a b Castle Egerton 1885 Schools and Masters of Fencing p 522 Definitions amp Study Terminology Medieval amp Renaissance Sword Forms and Companion Implements The Association for Renaissance Martial Arts ARMA Retrieved 27 July 2018 Rosolenne Jordan 2022 01 18 Flamberge A Complete Review Of The Flame Bladed Sword Swords Corner Retrieved 2022 07 27 Oakeshott Ewart 2000 European Weapons and Armour Woodbridge Boydell Press p 148 ISBN 9781843837206 Castle Egerton 1885 Schools and Masters of Fencing Mineola New York Dover Publications p 383 ISBN 9780486138756 a b Oakeshott Ewart 2000 European Weapons and Armour Woodbridge Boydell Press p 238 ISBN 9781843837206 Counson Albert 1907 Noms epiques entres dans le vocabulaire commun Romanische Forschungen 23 1 401 413 ISSN 0035 8126 JSTOR 27935661 https www militarylodge1422 org uk m miscellany swords in freemasonry External links Edit nbsp Media related to Flame bladed swords at Wikimedia Commons nbsp This article relating to swords is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Flame bladed sword amp oldid 1174973764, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
