Yes, another question concerning the meaning of medieval swords :).

As probably all of you know, medieval people used to name their swords. Arthur "had" Excalibur, Roland Durendal, Siegfried Balmung and Charlemagne had Joyeuse. Vikings also named their swords (and other weapons) a lot: Fotbitr, Gramr etc.

And second question: does anyone of you know other occasions when somebody has named his/her sword? And with what name, who was it, where is it mentioned etc. Of course, this doesn't have to be "historical fact" as such, it can be just a medieval legend or story, but this is exactly as good.

The reason for asking is that naming a sword is putting a proper name (semiotical term, if you are familiar) to sword. Which shows the importance of the sword. And mythological thinking (which proliferated in the Middle-Ages) often understands the proper name, the named item and even the user of the item as the same (sword=knight the owner, which seems absurd to logical thinking). Also, considering the mythological thinking again, it shows that sword had kind of a "soul" in the mind of medieval persons. If an item has a proper name, it is a semiotical subject, it has its own history, shades, meanings etc.

And of course, any ideas concerning the topic are more than welcome.

My jen-tachi I have dubbed 足指カッター or つま先のカッター (Toe-Cutter) for reasons I won't get into here.

I've not named my "La Hire War Sword" yet - it's a zweihander; any suggestions?

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My La Hire War Sword

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"Toe Cutter"

My katana crazy buddy has named his swords 'cloths rod' after the sword of a guy who fought Musashi, (it was suppose to be a very long blade) and his other one 'little crow.' (Since crows and ninjas are related. He studies ninjitsu.)

I keep debating about names for my swords. I'm thinking of calling my short wide bladed sword 'choppy' since it hits like an axe, or a hammer, dut to the wide blade.

Heck I had a hard enough time naming my dog... I'm terrible at names...

I have reposted this list, from time to time. From Brewer's Dictionary Of Phrase And Fable

http://www.bartleby.com/81/16143.html

The page following this one lists makers and also an alphabetical list. A few others (quotes) follow that.

Although this is mostly a list of fabled blades, that predates medieval times, some may find it interesting.

The dictionary was compiled in the 19th century had has quite a bit of other infornmation to share.

Cheers

GC