Traditions and Ceremonies
Some weapons were never made for the purpose of being used in battle; instead, they are deeply entrenched in tradition and are symbols of nobility. These objects are ingrained in tradition and history, and the use of weapons in cultural contexts conveys wealth, grandeur, and cultural stability, particularly if the object and place's history is long-lasting. These weapons are ceremonial in different ways; while some are presently on display and play a role in telling the story of a region's history, others are still used for the same traditions, or have been replaced by modern replicas. Through museum displays, ongoing traditions, and historical reenactments, these weapons keep history and culture alive.
Though this sword has been modified over the course of centuries, it nevertheless serves as an excellent example of how weapons, particularly swords, were a fundamental aspect of many Medieval traditions and ceremonies. This sword was likely never carried in battle, but it was used in the coronation ceremonies of French kings, beginning in 1271, and this remained its purpose for centuries. At one point during coronations, it was presented to the king, symbolising knighthood. When not in use for coronations, it was typically stored at the Abbey of Saint-Denis.
To see a coronation scene of Charles VII of France from the 1994 film Jeanne la Pucelle, in which a sword is used as part of the ceremony, click here. The portion of the video in which the sword was used begins at the 10:25 mark.
While during the time of the Late Middle Ages, the Halberd was primarily used as a weapon, its later use as a ceremonial or parade weapon for guards and in coats of arms demonstrates that weapons benefit traditions and culture. One of its ceremonial uses is that Halberds are carried by the Swiss Guard, who were founded in 1506 and whose duty is to protect the Pope in the Vatican City. This emphasises that some weapons, such as the Halberd, serve as a symbol for nobility and religion and are entrenched in the history and traditions of a place.
To watch a Swiss Guard instruct on how to hold a Halberd, click here.
To watch the changing of the Swiss Guards, click here.
To see examples of Halberds used in heraldry, click here.