A cavalryman wearing a mail shirt with a baldric over his right shoulder, from the RomanTropaeum Traiani, built 109 AD in the area of present-day Romania.U.S Army band baldric
Abaldric (alsobaldrick,bawdrick,bauldrick as well as other rare or obsolete variations) is abelt worn over one shoulder that is typically used to carry a weapon (usually asword) or other implement such as abugle ordrum.[1][2][3] The word may also refer to any belt in general, but this usage is poetic or archaic. In modern contexts,military drum majors usually wear a baldric.[4]
Baldrics have been used since ancient times, usually as part ofmilitary dress. The design offers more support for weight than a standard waist belt, without restricting movement of the arms, and while allowing easy access to the object carried. Alternatively, and especially in modern times, the baldric may fill a ceremonial role rather than a practical one. Most Roman tombstones in the third century had depictions of white baldrics.[5]
One end of the baldric was broad and finished in a straight edge, while the other was tapered to a narrow strip. The narrow end was brought through ascabbard runner, it was probably wrapped around the scabbard twice. Circular metal discs calledPhalera were attached to the broad end. Fourleather baldrics were found in Vimose andThorsbjerg. One of these measured 118 long and 8 cm wide.[5]
InAncient Rome thebalteus (pluralbaltei) was a type of baldric commonly used to suspend asword. It was a belt generally worn over the shoulder, passing obliquely down to the side, typically made of leather, often ornamented with precious stones, metals or both.[6] There was also a similar belt worn by the Romans, particularly by soldiers, called acintus (pl.cinti) that fastened around the waist. The wordaccintus meaning a soldier (literally, "girt" as for battle) attests to this differing usage.
Many non-military or paramilitary organisations include baldrics as part of ceremonial dress. TheKnights of Columbus 4th Degree Colour Corps uses a baldric as part of their uniform;[7][8] it supports a ceremonial sword.
A drum major of the United States' III Marine Expeditionary Forces Band is pictured wearing a baldric in 2019The Marching Illini Drumline with double baldrics
The University of IllinoisMarching Illini wore two baldrics as a part of their uniform until 2009, with one over each shoulder. They crossed in the front and back and were buttoned onto the jacket beneath a cape and epaulets. Today, one baldric with two sides is worn.
A crossed pair of baldrics is often worn as part of the uniform ofMorris dancers; different coloured baldrics help to distinguish different sides.
Baldrics appear in the classical literary canon, and later infantasy andscience fiction genres.
The decorated baldric ofPallas plays a key part in theAeneid, leading Aeneas to kill Turnus. (1st century BC)
InSir Gawain and the Green Knight Gawain returns from his battle with the Green Knight wearing the green girdle "obliquely, like a baldric, bound at his side,/ below his left shoulder, laced in a knot, in betokening the blame he had borne for his fault." (14th century)
The yeoman inChaucer'sCanterbury Talesis described as wearing a "baldrick of bright green." (14th century)
Benedick, fromWilliam Shakespeare'sMuch Ado About Nothing, says "But that I will have a recheat winded in my forehead or hang my bugle in an invisible baldric all women shall pardon me." (16th century)
Britomart, inEdmund Spenser'sFaerie Queene, clothes herself in a borrowed armour "with brave bauldrick garnished" before embarking on her quest (Book III, canto iii,). (16th century)
Walter Scott inIvanhoe published in 1819 describes a Yeoman "with a baldric and a badge of silver". (19th century)
InThe Fellowship of the Ring,Boromir is described: "On a baldric he wore a great horn tipped with silver that now was laid upon his knees." (20th century)
A baldrick is also mentioned in the epic poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson;The Lady of Shalott; in the tenth stanza: 'And from his blazon'd baldric slung, A mighty silver bugle hung'. (19th century, from 13th century)
Some species and factions such asKlingons wear baldrics inStar Trek, such asKor,Koloth,Kang orWorf although sometimes they are referred to as asash. The character Worf does so in almost every one of his appearances through two series and four films. InThe Next Generation episode "Conundrum", Worf, due toamnesia, mistakenly believes that the baldric indicates his rank or authority, so he briefly assumes command of theEnterprise. (20th century)
