The Long Sword

The Long Sword is actually a two handed or hand and a half weapon which was developed as advances in Plate Armor increasingly obviated the need for a shield, allowing two handed weapons to be used. The weapon incorrectly described as a 'Long Sword' in role playing games is actually more accurately known as a 'single sword' or an 'arming sword.' Great Swords and Bastard Swords are subtypes of the Long Sword.

The European Long Sword is perhaps the most single effective and versatile hand weapon developed by any culture at any time in the world. Light, fast, with a deadly reach, it is equally capable of chopping, slashing, and thrusting, and highly effective against both armored and unarmored opponents.

A beautiful repdroduction of an English LongSword courtesy of Arms & Armor Inc

Practicing the use of the Long Sword, by the SWORD Academy (ARMA-Canada)

Long Sword Guards from the FLOS Duelatorum (Medieval Fechtbuch)

Members of a small English Fechtschule called Boarstooth, Working out with Long Swords