Bastard sword
A bastard sword or hand-and-a-halfer[1] are swords which fall between the longsword or broadsword and the two-handed greatsword in size.[2]
Contents
Size
The bastard sword is mostly distinguished from a longsword because it has a grip long enough to allow two-handed use. Bastard swords have slightly longer blades as well, but they remain light enough to be wielded one-handed should the need arise, unlike the greatsword that requires two hands.
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
Jon Snow receives the Valyrian steel bastard sword Longclaw from Jeor Mormont, Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. Jon describes it as a good half foot longer than the longswords he is used to.[1]
A Dance with Dragons
Ser Rolly Duckfield wields a bastard sword.[3]
Quotes
Slung across his back in a black leather shoulder sheath was Longclaw, the hand-and-a-half bastard blade the Old Bear had given him for saving his life. A bastard sword for a bastard, the men joked.[4]
—thoughts of Jon Snow
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 60, Jon VIII.
- ↑ So Spake Martin: A Myriad of Question, March 27, 2002
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 8, Tyrion III.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 13, Jon II.