00:00Why was this weapon nicknamed the cutting sword? The weapon's name is Zweihänder,
00:06meaning two-handed, and it appeared in Germany in the 16th century.
00:10German mercenary soldiers called Landsknecht, literally meaning servants of the land,
00:16carried it in organized ranks. Its long blade and long grip allowed them to deliver sweeping
00:22wide blows that cut through the enemy's front ranks. The purpose of these blows
00:27was to break up and confuse enemy ranks, not to duel. From this, the nickname suited the role
00:34of the Zweihänder weapon. Its role was to deliver a cutting blow among the enemy ranks.
