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The Falchion is a long sword from the Middle Ages (from the 13th century to the 16th century inclusive) that is used with one hand, is single-edged and of European origin, whose design is reminiscent of the Chinese Dadao sword and the modern machete.
The Falchion are found in different forms. In some versions, the Falchion looks more like the Seax and later the Sable.
Unlike the double-edged swords of Europe, few real swords of this type have survived to the present day. Two basic types of Falchion can be identified:
One of the few falchion has the shape of a large-bladed machete during the 13th and 14th centuries. Another Falchion design is similar to that of Großes Messer, in use in the 16th century.
In addition, there is a group of weapons from the 13th and early 14th centuries that are sometimes identified with the Falchion. These have a Falchion-shaped blade mounted on a wooden handle that sometimes ends in a curve like an umbrella. These are seen in numerous illustrations in the Maciejowski Bible of the mid-13th century.
It is possible that some Falchion swords were used as axe-type tools as weapons by peasants, although this is not always the case, as some Conyers Falchion belonged to landowning families and the Falchion sword is shown in illustrations of combat between mounted knights.
Some later falchions were adorned and worn by the nobility, as for example there is an elaborately engraved and gold-plated falchion from the year 1560 in the Wallace Collection, engraved with the personal coat of arms of Cosimo I de Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany.
SEE OTHER FUNCTIONAL SWORDS
