It is not an easy matter to detect the date of a sword, but the armed figures on old prints, drawings, coins, etc., often hint at the period of construction. The Bayeux tapestry, for instance, enables us to see that the Norman pattern was of simple design, being straight, rather short, tapering and double-edged, whilst the handle was merely a grip with but little protection. This shape of sword, it may be said, was used for some three or four hundred years, and even in 1400 the majority of the specimens were much the same. It is true that by this time the quillons were becoming curved towards the blade, probably so that a slash would be arrested before it reached the knuckle of the soldier who received the blow. Of the sword of this period Ashdown writes: "The sword was attached to the belt at the uppermost part of the scabbard, and hung perpendicularly at the left side. It generally had a wheel pommel and a swelling grip, with quillons either straight or drooping slightly towards the blade. The latter was about an inch and a half broad at the hilt, thirty inches in length, and tapered to the point, while the section was either of a flattened or a lozenge shape. It was double-edged, and had a grip of varying dimensions, ranging from four inches in length to an extent which, in some examples, almost suggests a two-handed weapon, or the hand-and-a-half or bastard sword of a later period. The pommel, grip, and scabbard were at times elaborately enriched with a profusion of ornament. A new weapon was introduced at this period, the misericorde or dagger of mercy, used for dispatching a fallen foe whose wounds were beyond all surgical aid. It was a straight dagger, with no guard as a rule, and having both the hilt and scabbard curiously ornamented; the blade had but one edge, the section being triangular."[15] [15] "Arms and Armour," p. 181. [Illustration: Weapons 1. Sword of time of Norman Conquest. 2. Sword of Fifteenth Century. 3. Court Sword of Eighteenth Century. 4. Basket of Cavalry Sword, Nineteenth Century. 5. Cutlas Sabre, Fifteenth Century. 6. Glaive. 7. Bill. 8. Halberd. 9. Pole Axe-head. 10. Head of Two-handed Sword. ] As armour became more developed so changes appeared in the sword. The implement of medium weight was no longer serviceable against well-tempered metal suits; accordingly, the sword became heavy and ponderous, so that it might smash where it would not be able to cut. So heavy were specimens made that they needed two hands to wield them, and as this prevented a shield being supported, the quillons were so shaped as to give extra protection. This was the origin of the basket hilts of present patterns. [Illustration: AN OLD SWORD WITH STRAIGHT CROSS-GUARDS.] [Illustration: AN ITALIAN DAGGER HAVING A REPLICA OF THE FAMOUS COLUMN OF ST. MARK FOR GRIP.]