Brief Description:  The medieval longsword is a two-handed, straight-bladed cut-and-thrust weapon used from the 13th to 17th centuries. It features a cruciform hilt, a double-edged blade measuring 35 to 43 inches, and weighs just 2.5 to 3.5 pounds, allowing for exceptional speed and versatility in unarmored and armored combat.

Key Anatomy:

Blade: Typically straight, tapering to a fine point for thrusting, and heavily optimized for slashing. Many longswords feature a fuller (a central groove) which drastically reduces weight while maintaining the structural rigidity necessary for parrying.

Crossguard: Also known as quillons, this straight, perpendicular bar protects the user's hands and can be used to catch an opponent's blade or deliver strikes.

Grip: Spanning 10 to 15 inches, the hilt is long enough to accommodate both hands, providing the leverage needed to maneuver the weapon swiftly.

Pommel: Positioned at the very end of the hilt, this counterweight balances the blade, stabilizes the weapon in the hand, and can double as an improvised striking tool (the pommel strike) at close range.