The Sherriff

(Oakeshott Type XIV)


In early Medieval England, each hundred was led by a reeve (chief). A new unit of government, the shire, was formed when groups of hundreds banded together, which had a reeve as well. To distinguish the leader of a shire from the leader of a mere hundred, this more powerful official became known as a shire-reeve. The word shire-reeve eventually became the English word sherriff. After the Norman conquest, the sherriff became an agent of the king and the tax collector. The text of the Magna Carta mentioned the role of the sherriff nine times, indicating the importance of that office. Over the next few centuries, the sherriff remained the leading law-enforcement officer of the county. To be appointed sherriff was considered a significant honor. Our sword, the Sherriff, has an accentuating flaring of the width at the base of the blade. A broad blade that tapers to a sharp point, a short grip and a bold and broad cross guard makes swords of type XIV easily recognized in art from around 1275-1340. They are as a rule compact and powerful swords, usually with noble lines. Because of its relative shortness, this sword is quick and responsive with a pleasant blade presence inviting both short chopping cuts, sweeping blows and precise thrusts. A sword like this would be very effective in sword and buckler fighting as seen in the I:33 manuscript, dated to around 1300


Specifications
Total length: 33.875" (86 cm)
Blade length: 27.75" (71 cm)
Blade width: 3" (7.4 cm)
CoG: 3.5" (8.9 cm)
CoP: 16" (40.6 cm)
Weight: 2 lbs 10 oz (1.1 kg)
This sword is offered in a limited edition of 1000 swords worldwide

$840.00







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