Geographic scope and dating

In this diagram, we see an interesting comparative list for various typologies.

At the top is a map: Typologies of medieval swords in the context of the areas of research material used to create them and the time frame for the typology.

At the bottom is a time line: Dating framework ranges for various typologies of European swords.

I would like to point out that I have presented in this diagram schematically and in a simplified way, what scope of research material and time frames are used by individual typologies.

This allows us to see and compare what each known typology actually describes, what research material their authors used and what time range their classifications cover.

This is quite a complex matter. 

How to approach the issue of typology comprehensively and most reliably?
Should Europe be treated as a whole as a continent sharing a common history and historical events? Should individual areas (such as the Scandinavian Peninsula or the British Isles) be treated as separate cultural and stylistic areas?
Personally, I believe that it is necessary to define the exact time frame (dating) determined by specific, key typological changes related to cultural changes, technology and combat tactics. I also believe that Europe should be treated as a whole in terms of sword typology, because it was an area of ​​constant cultural exchange and mutual influences mixing in a rather specific and concrete area. The typology, in its full form, should in my opinion cover all of Europe and the time frame from around 950 (earlier we have Petersen's comprehensive typology and a completely different sword stylistics, mostly known as 'viking-era swords') to around 1400-1430 (in this period the era of knighthood ends, giving way to shooting formations, combat tactics change and, above all, the stylistics resulting from the becoming widespread Renaissance aesthetics. The sword irrevocably loses its earlier 'classic medieval' form, evolving into a multitude of typological and decorative variations).

Let's try to develop the answer to the question: why should the scope of the typology of Medieval European Swords be limited to the period 950-1400+?

In the 10th century, the typological form of the sword in common use and production in Europe changes completely and radically. This creates specific recognizable and characteristic features only for this period and region.
Features that we do not encounter before or after. These typological features define the unique form of the 'classical medieval sword' and all its varieties, subtypes and variants. This is the beginning of changes that will soon give us classic types of medieval swords (12th-13th-14th).

Factors that influence the characteristics of swords from this period:
- the spread of Christianity in Europe and its influence on religious coherence and authority, aesthetics, art, understanding of values, worldview and military aspects.
- the growing importance of heavy cavalry in tactical operations on battlefields
- the development of technology, higher carbon steel becomes more widely used, quenching and tempering techniques emerge, improving blade hardness and flexibility, proto-blast furnaces for 'pig iron' production, beginning of industrial-scale metalworking

Moreover, regarding the initial date (around 950):
- the ornamentation and form of the so-called Viking era swords disappears relatively rapidly (with some exceptions in the north and east of Europe, where these forms last until the 13th century, in parallel with new types of swords). the rich pre-Christian ornamentation is replaced at a fairly rapid pace by simple, almost ascetic, austere forms, devoid of decorations. Pommels become one-piece and completely replace two-piece, richly decorated ones. Crossguards become thinner and longer, devoid of decorations, the whole form of the sword begins to resemble a cross somewhat. The blades cease to be pattern welded, but are produced from homogeneous steel. Previous techniques and styles disappear irreversibly. The typological form of the sword changes completely and these are radical and permanent changes. This is the moment when the classic form of the medieval sword is formed, which will dominate for the next 400 years in various variants.

Regarding the final date (around 1400):
- in the late Middle Ages, significant stylistic changes are noticeable, which eventually lead to the development of frivolous decorative forms, deviating from purely functional typological forms. The Renaissance style increasingly begins to influence the decorativeness of the sword. In the 14th century, plate armor becomes popular and develops, which is a response to increasingly larger and heavier swords and other types of weapons. The way of fighting changes, swords are getting longer and require increasingly higher and specialized fencing skills. At the same time, from the 14th century on the battlefields artillery begins to appear, which becomes widespread in the 15th century, significantly changing the tactics of military operations and changing the role of bladed weapons on the battlefields. These factors change the form of the sword, clearly diverging from earlier typological forms, decorations and shapes appear resulting from the art of the Renaissance. All this causes swords to change irreversibly and never return to their previous forms. In the first half of the 15th century, the era of the classical Medieval sword ends.

This particular topic will be very developed and discussed in detail in my book.

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