Miecz zawłaszczony przez Karola IV Luksemburga

Marian Głosek

doi:10.18778/0208-6034.40.08

Authors

Marian Głosek Uniwersytet Łódzki, Wydział Filozoficzno-Historyczny, Instytut Archeologii https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7024-0083

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/0208-6034.40.08

Keywords:

historical archaeology, weapons studies, medieval swords, Charles IV of Luxembourg

Abstract

The so-called sword of Charles IV of Luxembourg, preserved in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Weltliche Schatzkammer in Vienna, has long been the subject of debate concerning its origin and date. The discussion focuses primarily on the pommel, which, according to researchers, was made specifically for Charles IV. The sword itself is believed to have been produced in Sicily for Henry VI Hohenstaufen or his son Frederick II.

An analysis of the coats of arms on the pommel reveals that they were executed by two different craftsmen. The eagle coat of arms is engraved with fine lines on the same plane as the pommel, whereas the lion coat of arms is carved into the surface, extending below its level. In my view, a third coat of arms was originally present, created using the same technique as the eagle. This emblem was associated with the Sicilian branch of the Hohenstaufen dynasty and may have represented either the coat of arms of Sicily or that of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

RECEIVED 20.05.2025 • VERIFIED 15.07.2025 • ACCEPTED 17.07.2025

Funding Information: University of Lodz

Conflicts of interests: None 

Ethical Considerations: The Authors assure of no violations of publication ethics and take full responsibility for the content of the publication. 

The percentage share of the author in the preparation of the work is:  MG 100%

Declaration regarding the use of GAI tools: not used

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aleksić M., Mediaeval Swords from Southeastern Europe. Material from 12th to 15th Century, Belgrade 2007.

Biborski M., Stępiński J., Żabiński G., Szczerbiec (The Jagged Sword) – The Coronation Sword of the Kings of Poland, „Gladius” 2011, 31, s. 93–148, https://doi.org/10.3989/gladius.2011.0006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3989/gladius.2011.0006

Biborski M., Stępiński J., Żabiński G., Nowe badania nad Szczerbcem – mieczem koronacyjnym królów polskich, „Studia Waweliana” 2009, 14, s. 235–252.

Boheim W., Handbuch der Waffenkunde, Leipzig 1890.

Bruhn Hoffmeyer A., Middelalderens Tvaeeggede Sverd, Copenhagen 1954.

Głosek M., Miecze środkowoeuropejskie z X–XV w., Warszawa 1984.

Głosek M., Znaki i napisy na mieczach średniowiecznych w Polsce, Wrocław 1973.

Głosek M., Kajzer L., Miecze z napisem grupy DIC w Europie środkowej, „Kwartalnik Historii Kultury Materialnej” 1976, 25 (2), s. 217–248.

Głosek M., Kajzer L., Zu den mittelalterlichen Schwertern der Benedictus-Gruppe, „Waffen- und Kostümkunde” 1977, 19 (2), s. 117–128.

Kirpičnikov A.N., Drievnierusskoje oružije, Moskva–Leningrad 1966 (Archeologija SSSR).

Marek L., Średniowieczne uzbrojenie Europy Łacińskiej jako Ars Emblematica, Wrocław 2017 (Wratislavia Antiqua, 22).

Müller H., Kölling H., Europäische Hieb- und Stichwafenn, Berlin 1981.

Nadolski A., Studia nad uzbrojeniem polskim w X, XI i XII wieku, Łódź 1954.

Nadolski A., Szczerbiec – the Polish Coronation Sword, „Journal of the Arms and Armour Society” 1969, 6 (6), s. 183–184.

Oakeshott E., Records of the Medieval Sword, Woodbridge (Great Britain)–Rochester (USA) 1991.

Oakeshott R.E., The Sword in the Age of Chivalry, New York–Washington 1964.

Petersen J., De Norske Vikingesverd, Christiania 1919.

Ruttkay A., Waffen und Reiterausrüstung des 9. bis zur ersten Hälfte des 14. Jarhunderts in der Slowakei, „Slovenská Archeológia” 1975, 23 (1), s. 119–216; 1976, 24 (2), s. 245–395.

Seitz H., Blankwaffen, t. I, Braunschweig 1965.

Wagner E., Hieb- und Stichwaffen, Praha 1966.

Żygulski Z., Broń w dawnej Polsce, Warszawa 1975.