A Sign of Victory?: 'Scottish Swords' and Other Weapons in the Possession of the 'Auld Innemie'. (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moffat, Ralph
• Is Part Of: Arms & armour. Volume 15:Number 2(2018)
• Page Start: 122
• Page End: 143
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: artwork -- axe -- Bordeaux Swords -- Cologne swords -- Gaelic -- Gallowglass -- Ireland -- Irish -- longsword -- medieval battles -- medieval documents -- medieval warriors -- Passau swords -- Scotland -- Scots -- Scottish -- sparth -- sword -- tomb carvings -- trophies; Armor -- History -- Periodicals; Weapons -- History -- Periodicals; 623.405
• DOI: 10.1080/17416124.2018.1522138
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-6124

Abstract

Abstract : Many late medieval documents, notably inventories of arms and armour, of Englishmen contain references to 'Scottish swords' and other weapons. What did the compilers of these documents mean when they described a weapon as 'Scottish'? How did such weapons come to be in the possession of these men? This article will attempt to explain this phenomenon drawing on primary documentary sources and surviving material culture from Glasgow Museums' collections and others, as well as artworks from the period.