The largest sword (also called Claymore) used by man in times of war, was a disproportionate sword and that to be tamed, a large force was needed. The handling of this sword, required no special technique. It is known that the largest sword used came to measure up to 2.24 meters and weigh up to 10 kilos.
In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries foot soldier used the Claymore to break the enemy pikemen line.
The role of the largest sword apart to break the first line of pikemen , was to harm soldiers wearing plate armor or chain mail. Not necessarily had to pierce armor , with a sharp blow could damage the soldier breaking his hand or other body parts without cutting the armor. This sword is also known under the names of longsword, bastard sword or broadsword. The handle was nearly a fifth of the total length of the blade and the pommel was round, to allow the left wrist rotation, to hit a long distance quickly.
For close combat, a hand was placed on the handle and the other hand in the first third of the blade that is not sharpened. It was usual to put spikes on the top edge, as a false guard, to improve grip, prevent the hand from sliding to the edge or to prevent opponents sword slide over the edge to reach the hand.
Among the different models of Claymore, perhaps the best known, is the Claymore. A two-handed sword used in the Middle Ages and early Modern Era. It was used in the struggle of the Scottish clans between 1400 and 1700. The Claymore measured approximately 140 inches and weighed about 2.5 kilos. The largest sword in the history of this model measured 2.24 meters and weighing about 10 kilos. The Claymore was used by a Scottish giant whose name and origin is unknown, although it is believed that this person belonged to the Clan Maxwell.
One of the best known is perhaps Claymore sword of William Wallace. Wallace was a Scottish hero who led a rebellion against King Edward I of England. In their battles led the Scottish army against the English and thus try to achieve independence. He won many battles but not won the war and was captured, tortured and finally beheaded. His exploits left an impression and inspired the people of Scotland that finally, years later, got the desired independence. In his battles, William Wallace fights with a two-handed sword with a length of 168 inches and a thickness of 1.2 inches. This sword is world famous thanks to the movie “Braveheart” starring Mel Gibson.
Many two-handed swords appeared in famous movies like “Sword of Atlantis” (Conan the Barbarian) or Narsil-Anduril (appears in the trilogy of the Lord of the Rings). There are other known broadswords in the gaming world and the world of Anime / Manga.
