The Sword of Battle Abbey

Description

The Sword of Battle Abbey, steel with silver-plated and gilt decoration, with the arms of Battle Abbey and the initials t l for Thomas de Lodelowe, who was Abbot of Battle Abbey between 1417 and 1434, on both sides of the pommel: English, 1417 - 1434

The blade is 32"/82cm, the grip is 5"/12.5cm.

Guard is 10.75"/272mm wide.

Pommel is 63mm x 69mm (approximately round), with an overall thickness of 51mm.

The blade starts at 3/8"/9mm thick at the guard and is still 1/4"/ 6.2mm 16"/42cm from the guard and 3/16"/4.2mm 29"/74cm from guard and is notably very heavy and stiff.

The guard and pommel are made in iron with silver plates of around 0.3mm thick soldiered onto the surface and then engraved, making every surface silver covered and these have then been gilded.

The grip is wood and then looks like it has been leather covered and then fabric covered. The grip is substantial.

Museum Reference

A.1905.633

For more information on Oakeshott's Type XV swords see this extract of Records of the Medieval Sword by Ewart Oakeshott: sword-site.com/thread/166/oakeshott-type-records-medieval-sword

Sources:

www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-collections/collection-search-results/sword/397036

blog.nms.ac.uk/2017/04/01/the-battle-abbey-sword-recreating-a-unique-medieval-weapon/