Bastard sword has been used to refer to blade length (short, bastard, long), any sword which could be worn and used two handed (longer than an arming sword, shorter than a greatsword), a sword between the length of an arming sword and a longsword, or a sword of uncertain origin and quality.
Where does the bastard sword come from?
The name "bastard sword" has its own explanation rooted in the French epee batarde. This term was born of confusion over how to categorize the weapon. From the same source: The versatility of the design prevented the sword from being specifically categorized as either a one-handed or two-handed weapon.
What are bastard swords made of?
Medieval swords like the bastard sword were created by moulding the metal from scratch by heating and shaping it, they were not made as is often thought by shaping a cold piece of metal that had already been prepared.
Are bastard swords real?
Around the mid-1400s, the bastard sword was developed as a form of the longsword. Originating from the French term epee batarde, medieval bastard swords included a number of blades with irregular or not easily defined traits. Knights and other armsmen continued to use traditional bastard swords through the 1500s.
What makes a sword a bastard sword?
Originally, a "bastard sword" was another name for a long sword, also known as a "hand and a half" sword. The sword is described as: Bastard swords often had a more tapered, narrowly pointed blade. The Medieval Bastard Sword generally had a long handle which allowed for two-handed use and a longer blade.