The topic of weapon matchups is popular online. Many people discuss different weapon combinations, how they work against each other, which one is better, what the advantages and disadvantages are, etc. In this brief article, I will discuss my experiences and observations of what would have no doubt been a likely matchup in the 14th and 15th centuries: the longsword, or two-handed sword, against sword and buckler.

First of all, I will start with the general traits of each weapon.

The longsword is arguably the most popular weapon in modern HEMA practice. Generally, for the 14th century, we’re talking about a sword that is around 4 feet long (45-48″, 115-120 cm) in total. The blade is generally around 3 feet long (33-36″, 90 cm). There is room for at least two hands to fit on the hilt, often room for three. Typical weight is around 2.5-3.5 lbs (1.3 kg). The longsword is fast and strong, the use of two hands means your cuts and parries are very strong and solid, and your tip is very fast whether in thrusts or in redirecting cuts to different targets. The longsword is agile and maneuverable, the two hands and the leverage of the handle allow the sword to be maneuvered quickly to react to strikes or to seek openings.

The sword and buckler was probably the more popular weapon combo in the 14th century. Generally, we’re talking about a sword that is around 3 feet long (33-37″, 90cm) with the blade being slightly less than that, around 29″ or 74 cm. There is room for one hand on the hilt. Typical weight is around 2-2.5 lbs (1 kg). The buckler is generally between 9″ diameter and 14″ diameter (23 cm – 35 cm) and gripped in the fist. Usually made of wood with a metal boss and some kind of rim. The buckler usually weighs around the same as the sword does. The sword and buckler give excellent protection to the fencer, and give excellent protection in particular to the hands and forearms. The sword has enough blade presence to parry, and is capable of strong cuts and thrusts. The buckler can effectively shut down entire lines of attack for the opponent, and used properly can provide exceptional protection for the user. The buckler can create openings for your sword to attack through.

So how do the two fare against each other in freeplay against each other? My experience is that it is actually a very even and balanced matchup, although it is asymmetrical. The longsword has a small range advantage, and even though the single-handed sword allows further extension of the sword arm, doing so would mean exposing your arm, and so if you are keeping your buckler hand close to your sword hand, it means that your two arms are bound together similar to how they would be if they were both gripping a longsword. This allows the longsword’s slightly longer blade to give a range advantage. The longsword has a speed advantage. If it comes down to simple speed of the blade, the longsword wins. Two hands > one hand. The added leverage and strength mean that the longsword user can get his sword moving faster than the single handed sword. It also means that the longsword is more agile and quicker to redirect. This is important in parries and feints. The longsword’s advantage in strength means that it’s parries will be much stronger and it’s cuts much stronger. On the other hand, the added protection of the buckler allows the sword and buckler to be equal to all of those advantages, despite being slower, weaker, less agile, and shorter range.

As a sword and buckler fencer facing someone with a longsword, you need to make sure that all of your parries, Obsessio, Schutzen, etc. are extremely solid and grounded in proper structure. If you get sloppy, a longsword will blow through your parry where an enemy sword and buckler would not. Do not bother ever trying to be strong in the bind. He has greater strength and leverage, and you will not succeed at trying to wind against his sword. You must always make sure that your buckler is doing its job. Again, if you get sloppy and your buckler is not positioned properly to protect you, the longsword will find those gaps faster and at longer range than an opponent with sword and buckler can. You must use your buckler to full advantage and use it close off lines, choke off his attacks, and close distance with him. Once you’ve closed distance, the fact that you have two weapons with which to occupy his weapon with one and attack with the other is a huge advantage. Your biggest danger is staying at longer range. The Schutzen and Obsessio in I.33 work perfectly for this, and I have found that they work brilliantly against a longsword. Schutzen can shut down Vom Tag as easily as it does 2nd Ward. If you enter distance with an Obsessio and can receive his strike/bind, you’ve won the fight. It’s then a simple matter to keep his word on your buckler and strike with your sword.

As a longsword fencer facing someone with sword and buckler, you need to make large use of feints and redirections. If you simply stand in a Guard and allow him to enter distance with an Obsessio against you, you’re screwed. You need to try and stay at long range, and you need to prevent your sword from being cut off by his buckler. By using feints and redirections, you make full use of the fact that your sword is more agile. Also look for opportunities to blow through his parries with a strong cut. It can often surprise a sword and buckler fencer if they are used to only facing other sword and buckler fencers. Another objective is to try and get your opponent to open up gaps between his sword and buckler. Again, feints are a good way to do this. It will be instinct for the sword and buckler fencer to quickly move his sword or buckler to parry an incoming attack if you first feinted and baited him into moving a certain way. When he makes that “emergency” parry, you have him. He has separated his weapons, he is vulnerable. Once you get your point in behind his weapons, he’s dead. If he is good, he will try to pin your sword with his buckler, leaving his sword free to attack you however he wants. Footwork and awareness are key to preventing this. If he enters with an Obsessio that closes off your line, do not simply attack into the bind. That’s what he wants you to do, and if you do it, you die. Instead, you can back away, circle to the side and change angles, or make an attack from a different angle than he’s expecting (for example, instead of cutting a right oberhau from Vom Tag, cut a Zwerchau into right Ochs on the left of his Schutzen). Finally, watch out for the buckler! Remember that it is a weapon too. However your club does rules for strikes with pommels or bucklers, the simple fact is that a buckler is a 2.5 lb piece of steel with a narrow edge. Getting punched in the face with that is not going to help you win any fights. Finally, your sword is fast. You can maneuver your tip around quickly. Use this fact to get your point or edge in around his sword and buckler. Small cuts to the forearms and hands can be done much easier than if you also had sword and buckler.

Overall, I find fencing with these weapons against each other to be extremely fun and helpful. Fencing against longsword has made my I.33 fencing better. It has made my Schutzen stronger and more solid, it has made my buckler better at keeping my hands safe, it has made my binds more solid, and it has made me more confident in closing distance. I would highly advise anyone to try freeplay with mismatched weapons.