00:00British knights carrying swords needed full hand protection while riding horses in 17th
00:06century battles, so blacksmiths made a steel basket around the hand grip, which created
00:11a completely new style of weapons. Famous figures like Oliver Cromwell carried the
00:17sword, making this design legendary across Britain. Later, collectors noticed that the
00:22intricate metal bars were crafted in a hidden and distinctive pattern. The steel basket
00:28was designed to resemble the human ribcage, which gave the mortuary sword its famous name.
