A bearing sword is a type of oversized, unwieldy ceremonial sword usually carried by a squire or servant during parades to demonstrate the wealth and status of its owner.[1] Often held upright and lavishly decorated, these swords were not intended for combat or practical use.[2] Carried by royal bodyguards as a display of power, bearing swords were used throughout Europe from at least as early as the medieval period and as late as the 18th century.[3][4]
![](http://upload.luquay.com/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/A_Bearing_sword_next_to_a_suit_of_armour_for_scale.jpg/220px-A_Bearing_sword_next_to_a_suit_of_armour_for_scale.jpg)
References
edit- ^ "Bearing sword | Define Bearing sword at Dictionary.com". dictionary.com. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
- ^ "Three Swords from the Higgins Museum". myArmoury.com. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
- ^ "Bearing Sword : Search the Higgins Collection". higgins-collection.org. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
- ^ "Objects". Royal Armouries. Retrieved 4 September 2017.[permanent dead link]