The Historical Evolution of Arms and Armor: The European Arming Sword and Japanese Uchigatana An Interactive Qualifying Project submitted to the Faculty of WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science By Brendan Corcoran Christopher Francis Colby Jensen Kevin Piskorowski David Van Sickle Date: May 13, 2021 Report Submitted to: Professor Diana A. Lados This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on the web without editorial or peer review. ABSTRACT The late medieval period of Europe (1250-1500 AD) and the Kamakura Period of Japan (1185- 1333 AD) were both eras defined by perpetual conflict and warfare. As a result, a rich history of weapons and armor was developed. The sword was one such weapon that saw widespread use in combat. This project seeks to investigate two specific swords, the European arming sword and the Japanese uchigatana. The factors that led to these swords’ demand and forging processes used to create them will be revealed with a thorough exploration of the historical context. Additionally, replicas of both an arming sword and uchigatana will be fabricated in a historically representative manner. An analysis of the design, forging process, and materials science aspects will be considered to compare these two swords, originating from two vastly different regions of the world in a similar time of unrest. 2 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The team would like to first thank Professor Diana Lados for involving us with this multifaceted and in-depth learning experience. We would also like to thank Joshua Swalec for generously allowing us access to his workshop and tools for our replica construction. He also taught us much about the blacksmithing trade and the team is extremely grateful for all the helpful knowledge Joshua provided throughout our time together. We are also grateful for the help provided by Jeff Hollan and Saint- Gobain as well as Kim Hollan of WPI for donating and delivering the special abrasive belts used in the final stages of preparation of our replicas to achieve the desired dimensions and surface finish. Ian Anderson and Matt Ryder also contributed to this project, and we would like to thank them for all the guidance they gave us at the WPI Washburn Shops. 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgments .......................................................................................................................................... 3 Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................... 4 List of Figures ................................................................................................................................................ 6 List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................. 8 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 9 2. European Background .................................................................................................................................. 9 2.1. History ................................................................................................................................................ 9 2.1.1. Contextual Time Periods .............................................................................................................. 9 2.1.1.A. Late Medieval Age ............................................................................................................... 9 2.1.1.B. High Medieval Age ..............................................................................................................10 2.1.1.C. The Renaissance ..................................................................................................................10 2.1.2. Important Nations .......................................................................................................................11 2.1.2.A. England ..............................................................................................................................11 2.1.2.B. France ................................................................................................................................13 2.1.2.C. Hungary .............................................................................................................................14 2.1.3. Major Events .............................................................................................................................15 2.1.3.A. The Avignon Papacy (1309-1377) .........................................................................................15 2.1.3.B. The Great Famine (1315-1322) ..............................................................................................16 2.1.3.C. The Black Death (1346-1353) ...............................................................................................17 2.1.3.D. The Western Schism (1378-1417) ..........................................................................................18 2.1.4. Wars/Conflicts ...........................................................................................................................18 2.2. Arms and Armor of the Late Medieval Period ..........................................................................................19 2.2.1. Classification of Soldiers .............................................................................................................20 2.2.1.A. Monarchs ...........................................................................................................................20 2.2.1.B. Nobles ................................................................................................................................20 2.2.1.C. Knights ..............................................................................................................................20 2.2.1.D. Mercenaries ........................................................................................................................21 2.2.1.E. Archers ...............................................................................................................................21 2.2.2. Armor .......................................................................................................................................21 2.2.2.A. Plate Armor ........................................................................................................................21 2.2.2.B. Chain Mail ..........................................................................................................................22 2.2.2.C. Shields ...............................................................................................................................22 2.2.2.D. Horse Armor .......................................................................................................................23 2.2.3. Melee Weapons ..........................................................................................................................23 2.2.3.A. Swords ...............................................................................................................................23 2.2.3.B. Spears, Pikes, Halberds.........................................................................................................23 2.2.3.C. Daggers ..............................................................................................................................24 2.2.4. Ranged Weapons ........................................................................................................................24 2.2.4.A. Longbow ............................................................................................................................24 2.2.4.B. Crossbow ............................................................................................................................25 2.2.5. The Arming Sword (Knightly Sword) ...........................................................................................25 2.2.5.A. Design ...............................................................................................................................26 2.2.5.B. Location .............................................................................................................................26 2.2.5.C. Utilization ...........................................................................................................................27 4 2.2.5.D. Origin of Weapon ................................................................................................................27 2.3. Materials and Forging Technology .........................................................................................................28 2.3.1. Materials of Late Medieval Europe ...............................................................................................28 2.3.2. Historical European Forging Techniques .......................................................................................28