What kind of swords did knights normally carry
Knights in the medieval period typically carried a variety of swords, each serving a specific purpose. The most commonly used sword was the arming sword, also known as a knightly sword or a medieval sword. It had a straight, double-edged blade, a cruciform hilt (cross-shaped guard), and was typically around 30-36 inches in length.
Knights also wielded longer swords such as the longsword or hand-and-a-half sword, which had a longer blade and a longer handle, allowing for two-handed or one-handed use, depending on the situation. These swords were primarily used for slashing and cutting, as opposed to thrusting.
Additionally, some knights carried specialized swords like the estoc, which had a long, narrow blade specifically designed for thrusting through gaps in armor. The estoc was more of a thrusting weapon than a cutting one.
Other specialized swords included the falchion, a single-edged, curved blade used for hacking and chopping, and the war sword, also known as a greatsword or claymore, which had an enormous, two-handed grip and a wide, heavy blade, making it suitable for slashing and crushing armor.
It is worth noting that the types and designs of swords varied over time and across different regions, but the aforementioned swords were among the ones commonly used by knights during the medieval period.