Basket hilted swords

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

[QUOTE=Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams All,

If the Mary Rose sank in 1545 what is the situation regarding the basket hilt which was brought up from the wreckage ...Does it mean that the Basket Hilt is English? ....as pointed out on http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...e/6917780.stmb

Regards,
Ibrahiim







Well placed note Ibrahiim , and indeed the basket hilt found on this ship, Henry VIII's pride and joy the "Mary Rose", which sank July 19,1545, does set distinct provenance for these in use in England at that time. The other instance would be the example lost on the 'Sea Venture' off the coast of Bermuda in July, 1609, and is well discussed by Dr. Mazansky in his article published in 1995.

Claude Blair in his "The Early Basket Hilt in Britain" ( in "Scottish Weapons and Fortifications", ed. David Caldwell, 1981)..notes that while the basket guard was certainly in use in Scotland by c.1570s at latest (p.188), there is little corroborative evidence prior to c.1617. He concedes that it remains uncertain whether these complex type hilts evolved in England or Scotland, however he states that in 17th century England, the hilts were typically thought to be 'Highland' in origin.

The excellent reference to the connection to the Norwegian 'Sinclair' sabre with basket hilt is also key. Blair (op.cit.p.190) references the ill fated expedition of Scottish mercenaries who were annihilated at Kringelen in Norway Aug. 26, 1612, and the curious misnomer to the term 'Sinclair' used for these sabres. Apparently Sinclair, was actually a Captain and not in command of the unit, it was actually Lt. Col. Alexander Ramsey.

It seems in other references the use of the Sinclair name was more to politicize the tragic event, and Sinclair was notably connected to an important Scottish clan. Holger Jacobsen (1934) noted there was no indication that these basket hilt sabres were specifically connected to this unit, in fact these were mostly German and Austrian swords on hand for local militias in Norway.

Returning to Blair, on p.186 he notes that the closed hilt or basket guard seemed to have already been in use in England by the 1560s, and the complex nature of the form suggested it had likely been in use there for some time.

It would seem the Mary Rose example well supports this with its established date of 1545, would predate the earliest mention of the 'Highland hilt' in the Inverness Burgh Records (1576) noted by Blair (p.156).
On p.153, Blair cites Holger Jacobsen (1940) who discussed the notable similarity between the construction of the Scottish basket hilt and the late 16th century German sabres with such hilts, proposed by Whitelaw as early as 1902. Jacobsen however included that he felt the hilts were probably of English origin.

To me the ancestry or origin of these famed Scottish basket hilts is not nearly as important as how monumentally distinct and admired they became historically in the hands of the Scottish warriors. Still, these perspectives on their probable evolution remain notably pertinent in comprehensive study of the form.

Salaams Jim, Thank you for the extensive, time consuming and prompt reply to what seemed a rather throw away question but actually one which had puzzled me completely. I entirely agree with what you have noted and in particular your final paragraph. Although 1545 is a deep dive on the basket hilt it is the other aspects of it which are also very interesting. Thanks again for your answer.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[E.B. Erickson]

I remembered another example of those German baskets with a non-conical pommel.

For a discussion of this sword, and related German baskets (which the owner of the site wants to call Schiavona!), see:
http://fallingangelslosthighways.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-schiavona-circa-1560-once-in-museum.html#!/2014/08/the-schiavona-circa-1560-once-in-museum.html

The site referenced above also has some discussions on Scottish and English baskets, and is pretty good as far as the information on specific swords go.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by E.B. Erickson

I remembered another example of those German baskets with a non-conical pommel.

For a discussion of this sword, and related German baskets (which the owner of the site wants to call Schiavona!), see:
http://fallingangelslosthighways.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-schiavona-circa-1560-once-in-museum.html#!/2014/08/the-schiavona-circa-1560-once-in-museum.html

The site referenced above also has some discussions on Scottish and English baskets, and is pretty good as far as the information on specific swords go.

Thanks very much for the helpful routing and excellent example. It does seem the character of the components and structure resemble those of schiavona, and the pommel recalls German basket types as noted.

While this of course seeks the development of early schiavona perhaps with German influence and through the Hungarian channels......there is always the older ideas of 'schiavona' influence in the Scottish basket hilt.

I always look forward to your views, in addition to the always helpful links and images.

[Cathey]

Hi Guys,

With the mention of the Mary Rose sword I thought I would post the information I have on that sword and the Thames sword, which I don’t think gets as much attention. The earliest sword in my collection dated by the Baron of Earlshall 1550-60, and whilst I have posted this one previously I will re-post as I now have better photos.

Cheers Cathey and Rex

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Cathey

Hi Guys,

With the mention of the Mary Rose sword I thought I would post the information I have on that sword and the Thames sword, which I don’t think gets as much attention. The earliest sword in my collection dated by the Baron of Earlshall 1550-60, and whilst I have posted this one previously I will re-post as I now have better photos.

Cheers Cathey and Rex

Salaams Cathey, It must be rather strange since the Basket Hilt is virtually a Scottish Icon and along comes The Mary Rose and a total Eclipse occurs... I suppose the weapon could have joined the ship with its owner from European regions(or even from Scotland!!) ...Well if ..(as they say) ...only they could talk? ! Thank you for the details.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Cathey]

Hi Ibrahiim,

I suspect the Basket hilt in its simplest form did originate in England, although given that mercenary’s etc travelled all over Britain they may well have been in use by the Scott’s and the Irish at the same time. As you say I doubt we will ever truly put the question to bed. The large spiracle pommels often found on these early swords certainly appear to be linked with English manufacture of the time.

Cheers Cathey and Rex

[Mark Deyer]

Here are some more image s

[Mark Deyer]

Hi,
Some more. the apparent indent in the blade is the white sheet overlapping the blade not a wornpiece/missing part.
Mark