The son, not new to antiquities, recognized that this was no stage prop of hobbyist's build, and took the weapon to Paul Macdonald of the Macdonald Armouries, in Edinburgh, for evaluation and appraisal.
The weapon had two surprises left in it, even after 4 centuries in existence.
The Gallowglass
The first, was that it wasn't just any sword, but the markings and design meant it was owned and used by the 15th or 16th century gallowglass. The gallowglass were highland scotts who intermarried with Norse settlers on the western coast of the Scottish isles, and also had the misfortune of siding with the losing side in several key conflicts in Scottish history, resulting in the lost of their lands. In the time period in question, the gallowglass were considered a highly skilled mercenary force that served a the elite bodyguards for Irish chieftains and other leaders, and then served as heavily armed and armored holding or defensive forces on the battlefield. The gallowglass were also part of the assembled military resistance to queen Elizabeth I's invasion of Ireland, a fact that would see 300 of them executed before the conflict's end. Towards the end of their time, Gallowglasses reportedly served in the Dutch Blue Guards, Swiss Guard, the French Scottish Guard, and the forces of King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden in his invasion of Livonia during the Thirty Years War.
Mercenaries
The subject of the gallowglass touches on a much larger and surprisingly timely subject of hired fighters in military conflicts. One of the earliest such examples was in the 13th century BCE when Pharaoh Ramesses II of Egypt paid for a reported 11,000 Nubian scouts and auxiliary to augment his standing Egyptian army. in later period, Celtic mercenaries would be hired by Greeks, and later still, the city of Carthage would elect to use mercenaries as the vast majority of its military force. Perhaps one of the most celebrated mercenaries forces in medieval and early Renaissance history were the German landsknechts, considered by many to be some of the finest medieval pike infantry to ever have existed. landsknechts were the most sought after, and decisive infantry force of their day, and the course of history was undoubtedly shaped by their presence. hired soldiers as a concept continued on in various and evolving forms through the 16th century and beyond. One colorful example was 'the flight of the wild geese', where an Irish Jacobite army fled Ireland and reformed as a mercenary military unit stationed in France, but still recruiting from the Irish population as time moved forward. The unit would see action on the European mainland many times in the years to come. Today, modern parlance has re-branded mercenary forces as 'private military contractors', and despite the age old sinister connotations that their heritage and names carry, soldiers-for-hire have also proven decisive military forces in regional conflicts across the globe. With motives that are often a product of the nations, or regimes that hire them, hired soldiers have been and continue to be key players in society's ever evolving conflicts.
The Sword
The exact history of this sword in particular is not known at this time, but that does not mean that it is not important to someone.After being officially appraised at 200 BGP (Great Briton Pound) ($260.92 US at time of press), the weapon was put up for auction, and an unnamed Canadian buyer purchased it for the mind-blowing sum of 30,000 BGP ($39,138.06 UD at time of press).
150 times the official appraisal!
The sword has been transferred to its new owner in Canada, and the name and specific location of the previous owner have been withheld as his request.
#Swordsunday is intended as a fun and educational series of posts for the enjoyment of readers.
His Lordship Ivo Blackhawk
Kingdom of Ansteorra
"Long Live the King!"
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