the bent sword

[peegee]

I came upon the term "bent sword" in connection with the edinburgh castle, but couldn't find anything about it. does anybody know what it is??????????/

[jacobitedreamer]

Hi,

sorry for my delay in replying. I am not sure if I can really help you, but I shall have a try:

According to the writings of the standard-bearer and chronicler of a quite famous Scottish military leader, a bent sword (he called it "ghaif", if I deciphered it right) was an ancient celtic weapon used in Brittany, Scotland and other regions of Europe. The blade of this sword is rather shaped in a bow, not straight like that of the famous broadswords. It looks a bit like a samurai sword. Unfortunately I cannot draw its shape here...

The bent sword is found in many mystery and minstrel writings of the northern European world. But I cannot tell if it has any mysterious meaning. Just that it was a famous and feared weapon. Even in the Arthurian legends it is mentioned, saying that Arthur denied using a bent sword. Why? They would not say.

Hope I could help. Will have another look!