| Zweihänder | |
|---|---|
 Zweihänders with and withoutParierhaken | |
| Type | Two-handed sword |
| Service history | |
| In service | ~1500–1600 |
| Production history | |
| Produced | ~1500–present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 2 to 4 kg (4.4 to 8.8 lb) |
| Length | up to 213 cm (84 in) |
| Blade type | Double-edged, straight bladed |
| Hilt type | Two-handed cruciform, with pommel |
TheZweihänder (German pronunciation:[t͡svaɪhɛndɐ]ⓘ, literally "two-hander"), alsoDoppelhänder ("double-hander"),Beidhänder ("both-hander"),[1]Bihänder, orBidenhänder, is a largetwo-handed sword that was used primarily during the 16th century.
Zweihänder swords developed from thelongswords of theLate Middle Ages and became the hallmark weapon of the GermanLandsknechte from the time ofMaximilian I (d. 1519) and during theItalian Wars of 1494–1559. TheGoliath Fechtbuch (1510) shows an intermediate form betweenlongsword andZweihänder.
This represented the final stage in the trend of making very large swords, which started in the 14th century, and ended in the 16th century. In its developed form, theZweihänder acquired the handling characteristics of apolearm rather than a sword due to its increased size and weight, therefore adding to its striking power and longer reach. Consequently, it was not carried in a sheath, but across the shoulder like apike orhalberd.
Due to their length and weight, which was typically at least 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) and around 2 kg (4.4 lb), Zweihänders required two hands, as the name implies; as such they require at least 25 cm (9.8 in) for thehilt.[2] Zweihänders that were 4 kg (8.8 lb) in weight or more were confined to parade and ceremonial use.[citation needed]
Early Zweihänders were simply larger versions oflongswords. Later examples hadParierhaken ("parrying hooks") at the top of thericasso as well as side rings on the hilt. Swords continued to be made without one or both features.[2] Some Zweihänders had wavy blades, and were calledFlammenschwert.
The weapon is mostly associated with either Swiss or German mercenaries known asLandsknechte, and their wielders were known asDoppelsöldner. However, the Swiss outlawed their use, while the Landsknechte kept using them until much later.[3] TheBlack Band of German mercenaries (active during the 1510s and 1520s) included 2,000 two-handed swordsmen in a total strength of 17,000 men. Zweihänder-wielders fought with and againstpike formations. Soldiers trained in the use of the sword were granted the title ofMeister des langen Schwertes (lit. Master of the Long Sword) by theMark Brotherhood.
Frisian heroPier Gerlofs Donia is reputed to have wielded a Zweihänder with such skill, strength and efficiency that he managed to behead several people with it in a single blow. The Zweihänder ascribed to him is, as of 2008, on display in theFries Museum. It has a length of 213 cm (84 in) and a mass of about 6.6 kg (15 lb).[4]
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Some modernhistorical European martial arts groups, specifically ones focusing on theGerman longsword styles, use some Zweihänders with less pronounced Parierhaken for training and tournament purposes. These less pronounced parrying hooks are sometimes colloquially referred to as "Schilden", or literally "shields" in German, as they are used to catch incoming opposing blades. These Schilden often also act asricassos by smoothing out, and thickening, after the blade-catchers have been passed. These are specifically the Zweihänders calledfeders, or federn in German, and are historically training weapons; there is no concrete evidence suggesting wooden longswords were ever actually used, even for training purposes. Even today, most modern training weapons are metal, as wood does not have as much give under blade pressure as real steel, although some synthetic plastic weapons are used for cost-efficiency. Additionally, some modern adjustments to certain weapons extend thecrossguards of the blades; this is in part because certainHEMA schools follow manuscripts pertaining toKreutz attacks – i.e., attacks performed with one's crossguard, specifically, and some persons also choose to use their Zweihänders asrapiers, so abasket hilt may be designed atop this extension.
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