A Baselard by Any Other Name?

Learn about an unusual and rare baselard short sword in the Royal Armouries collection (object number IX.3482). Uncovered from the River Thames and originally catalogued as English, this lecture explores the sword’s real Swiss origins and its place within the baselard typology.

In 1987, archaeologists working on the banks of the River Thames discovered a short sword buried in the mud. Lost in medieval London, it was added to the collection of the Royal Armouries where it was understood to be a 14th or early 15th-century English ‘baselard’. However, recent research by Scot Hurst (Assistant Curator of Arms and Armour) has brought together weapons held in other European museums, monumental effigies, and artistic descriptions in medieval manuscripts to finally reveal its true origins.

In this lecture, Scot will explore the Armouries’ Swiss baselard IX.3482, its history, typology, cultural impact, and appearance in 15th-century Swiss art to determine how we might better clarify the typology and terminology currently applied to such swords. Previous research on this subject has only ever been published in Swiss publications, so Scot's insights will bring to light an important exploration of the subject to English speakers. In addition, he will raise the question – how did a Swiss sword end up in the Thames?

Image: Diebold Schilling, Spiezer Chronik 5.0. (C) Burgerbibliothek, Bern