The longsword is long. That much is in the name. But how long, exactly, and why? The answer is more precise than you might think, and it tells you a lot about how the sword was meant to be used.
The Typical Length
Most surviving medieval longswords measure between 110 and 130 centimetres overall, roughly 43 to 51 inches. The blade is usually 85 to 100 cm, and the grip, including the pommel, is long enough for two hands: often 20 to 30 cm.
There are shorter and longer examples. Some late fifteenth-century swords run past 130 cm, and some so-called hand-and-a-half swords are closer to 105 cm. But the middle of the range is remarkably consistent across Europe.
Why the Grip Is So Long
The long grip is what makes a longsword a longsword. It lets you put both hands on the sword with space between them, and that space is a lever. The top hand guides and the bottom hand pulls, so small movements of the hands make the tip travel a long way very fast.
That leverage is also why a longsword weighs only 1.3 to 1.8 kg and still hits hard. You are not lifting it so much as steering it.
Fiore's Swords
Fiore dei Liberi, writing in 1409, draws his fighters with swords that reach from the ground to roughly the armpit. That is a good rule of thumb that HEMA fencers still use: stand the sword point down beside you, and the pommel should come up to somewhere around your armpit.
His swords also have long, straight crossguards and a blade that tapers to a strong point. That point matters. A great deal of Fiore's art is about the thrust, from the exchange of thrusts to the half-sword work in armour, where the second hand grips the blade itself and guides the point into the gaps.
Choosing Your Length
For training, most adults use a longsword of around 120 to 130 cm. Taller people often go longer. Red Dragon synthetics come in a standard size that suits most people, and some makers, Black Fencer among them, offer longer swords for tall fencers.
A sword that is too short for you leaves you out of reach and makes you step in to hit. A sword that is too long feels slow and pulls your guards out of shape. The armpit test is a good start. After that, try a few in the hand. We cover the rest in our guide to choosing your first HEMA longsword.
Longsword vs Other Swords
For comparison, an arming sword is usually 85 to 100 cm overall, and a zweihander can be 1.5 to 1.8 metres. The longsword sits between them, long enough to keep an opponent at the end of your point, short enough to turn quickly and fight close.
Try One
At HEMA Penzance we train with Fiore's longsword every Tuesday. The club lends a synthetic longsword on your first night, so you can feel the length for yourself before you think about buying. Your first lesson is free.