With hacking chops from a tapering single-handed blade (oftentimes referred to as an "arming sword"), the standing fighter executes prisoners. All the victims clearly show large head wounds, one even through a helmet. This illustrates the obvious effectiveness of striking blows with such slender medieval "cut-and-thrust" swords. - From Charlemagne massacring the Saracens, early 1300's, French illuminated manuscripts, Bibliotheque Nationale de France.

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