About this object
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ID:
52.12(1)
Production date:
Late Medieval; early-mid 14th century
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Location:
In Store
This sword was found in the Thames during the building of the first Westminster Bridge in 1742. It must have been lost or deliberately thrown into the river in its scabbard. Although the wood and leather scabbard had rotted away, the silver mounts by which it was attached to the sword belt were still in place on the blade. The upper mount is engraved with a stag's head and the words 'wist.i wist.i' ('I knew, I knew') - probably the family crest and motto of the knight who owned the sword. Large double-edged war-swords like this were armoured knights' chief weapons. An ordinary Londoner found carrying one could be arrested.
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Measurements
L 1082 mm; W 204 mm; D 44 mm; WT 2 kg; D (blade, max) 11.56 mm; D (blade, tip) 4.47 mm; D (blade, edge) 1 mm (overall), L 1083 mm; W 205 mm (overall)
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Materials
iron
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Last Updated
2024-03-14
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Record quality:
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