Why would they be holding swords weighing 20 kilograms and wearing such heavy armor if they fell off their horses, they would find themselves as helpless as lying turtles ?
Another reason for the confusion comes from the fact that the decorative swords and armor we have left are often heavier than those used in combat, secondly, the game of ‘fence’ has greatly confused people as to what sword fighting actually entails. (the purpose of fencing is to stab your opponent with the point; the purpose of sword fighting is to get your opponent down and push your 2 lb.
sword in his hilt to kill him), and thirdly, that at the end of the middle ages, the plate armor used especially for playing was heavier than usual so that they can survive a direct shot to the chest from a spear.
I have a children’s book that basically says that the hero had to be helped to mount his horse by two servants and a staff.
Among them, the spear, which appears on the right side of most breastplates, probably takes first place.” http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/aams/hd_aams.htm
“According to common hands-on experience we know for sure that the swords were not very heavy or weighed 10 or 15 kilograms and more.
Surprisingly, although one would think that such an important piece of information as the weight of swords would be of great interest to armorers and armor historians, there is no major reference book that actually lists the types of steel. different.
For example, a long catalog of swords from the famous Wallace Museum, London, easily lists many fine examples that are difficult to find weighing more than 4 pounds.
In fact, most of the models, from swordsmen to swordsmen, weigh less than three kilograms.
Although it was often said to the contrary, the swords of the Middle Ages were really light, manageable, and on average their weight was less than four kilograms.
As the leading swordsman Ewart Oakeshott unequivocally stated: “Medieval swords are not insurmountably heavy and they are not all alike—a fraction of the weight of any standard-sized between 2.5 lb.
Even large hand and half ‘war’ swords rarely weigh more than 4.5 lbs.
Such a weight, for men who had been trained to use the sword since the age of seven (and who had to be tough role models to survive those years), was not at all too great to be effective. .” (Oakeshott, Sword in Hand, p. .
Oakeshott, the leading 20th century European swordsman and researcher would certainly know.” http://www.thearma.org/essays/weights.htm
A major league baseball weighs 32 ounces—actually the same weight as a sword.
I have a post about this here: https://sarahwoodbury.com/european-martial-arts/
If you’re interested in the Dark Ages and Medieval Armor, here’s another post: https://sarahwoodbury.com/darkageandmievalarmor/ (Wow!
Mail is very flexible (meaning that while it was effective against slashing and slashing with swords, it was very weak against heavy blows), and light, with a hauberk weighing twenty kilos.
The plate is heavier, like 45 kilograms for a complete suit, but it has the same weight.
When installed properly, the technician could move easily and fully through the post or plate.
“All field armor (ie, battle armor) usually weighs between 45 and 55 lbs.
(20 to 25 kg), and a helmet weighing 4 and 8 lbs.
Additionally, although most modern equipment is slung over the shoulders or waist, the weight of properly fitted armor is distributed throughout the body.
It was only in the seventeenth century that the weight of field armor increased significantly to make it bullet proof against more accurate guns.
However, at the same time, full armor became rare and only the most important parts of the body, such as the head, body and arms, remained protected by metal.
The theory that the development of plate armor (completed around 1420-30) prevented the wearer from carrying it is not true.
The line of armor was made up of different parts for each leg.
Instead, historical sources tell us about the famous French warrior Jean de Maingre (c.
1366–1421), known as Maréchal Boucicault, who, fully armed, was able to climb to the bottom of the ladder using only his hands.
In addition, there are several illustrations from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance that show men-at-arms, squires or knights, all in full armour, riding horses without help or equipment. such as ladders or cranes.
Recent tests of authentic fifteenth- and sixteenth-century armor as well as exact replicas have shown that even an untrained man in well-armoured armor can ride the horse and dismounts, sits or lies down, gets up again, runs, and dismounts. he generally moves his limbs freely and without difficulty.” http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/aams/hd_aams.htm
My son informs me that a few years ago when he downloaded a patch for the game-Skyrim-it finally made weapons and armor the correct weight.
Apparently, the first game had swords that weighed 10 kilograms!