Who is Saint George?
Saint George is highly esteemed and revered in both Western and Eastern Christian faiths, and his significance extends to other monotheistic religions like Islam. Contrary to the common belief that he was a European knight, Saint George lived during the 3rd and 4th centuries AD and served as a soldier in the Roman Empire under Diocletian’s rule.
While little is known about his early life, it is confirmed that he hailed from the region of Cappadocia, which is part of modern-day Turkey. During the persecution of Christians in 303 AD, Saint George steadfastly refused to renounce his Christian faith. His unwavering commitment led to his gruesome torture and eventual beheading. Today, he is recognized as a megalomartyr and serves as a symbol of selflessness and martial valor.
Legends surrounding Saint George as a warrior saint began to emerge in the 6th century and grew over time. The 11th-century legend of Ascalon, which involves the slaying of a dragon, is one of the most famous among these legends. It is believed to be a variation of earlier stories about Thracian horsemen and the hero Perseus, who slayed a sea monster near Lydda to rescue a princess. Despite these variations, Saint George the dragon slayer and his legendary sword Ascalon remain among the most revered religious symbols and relics of today.
Characteristics of the Ascalon Sword
Today, there are various depictions of the Ascalon sword, and they come in different shapes and sizes. These depictions range from fantasy elements, as seen in anime, to massive two-handed greatswords. However, there is no concrete historical evidence to specify the exact type of sword that Saint George used, apart from the standard sword types used in the Roman Empire during the 4th century AD.
For our discussion, we will focus on the Arming sword, which is the most commonly associated type of Ascalon sword available on the market today. This representation is based on the version of the sword imagined when the dragon-slaying story was crafted in the 13th century.
Blade
The Ascalon sword typically features a straight, double-edged blade, which means it is sharpened on both sides, allowing it to be used for various purposes such as hacking, slashing, and thrusting. Due to its religious significance, many Ascalon swords have writings, verses, or religious symbols engraved on their blades.
For efficient slashing, the sword often includes a full-tang blade that extends from the hilt to the pommel, and it may have a blade fuller to help balance its weight. However, in many cases, the Ascalon is created as a decorative sword, often made from stainless steel to reduce the risk of corrosion.
Gaurd
If the Ascalon sword is designed based on the Arming sword pattern, it will typically feature a cruciform-type crossguard. This crossguard can either be straight or narrow towards the blade and is often adorned with intricate religious symbols or depictions of dragons and serpents.
Some Ascalon swords have particularly ornate and ceremonial crossguards. These may include a large cross shape or a C-guard shape that further embellish the crossguard, often carrying religious significance.
Handle
Saint George’s Ascalon sword typically features a straight, one-handed handle, but it can also be wielded with two hands, as suggested in the dragon-slaying legends. These legends often depict Saint George on horseback, which implies the use of a smaller sword. The handle’s shape is similar to that of an Arming sword, with the key distinction being the presence of written religious symbols on the sword.
Pommel
The dragon pommel is the most distinctive and visually striking feature of an Ascalon sword. The dragon motif on the pommel is a direct reference to the legend of Saint George, symbolizing his bravery in rescuing the princess and protecting the local community from the menacing dragon.
Weight
The Ascalon is a one-handed sword designed to be used with a shield, buckler, or from a mounted position, and as such, it is relatively lightweight, typically weighing between 2.2 to 2.6 pounds (1 to 1.2 kilograms), the exact weight depending on the type of steel utilized in its construction.
Length
The length of the Ascalon sword falls within the range typically associated with Arming swords or Roman Spathas, both of which were used during George’s service in the Roman Army. This places the average length of the Ascalon sword in the range of 20 to 40 inches (50 to 100 cm).
History of the Ascalon Sword
The Ascalon sword is a legendary weapon associated with the tales and legends of St. George. In various versions of the legend, the Ascalon sword is believed to have been used both as a spear to pierce the dragon’s heart and as a means to ultimately end the dragon’s life. The name “Ascalon” is derived from the Levantine city of Ashkelon in modern-day Israel.
St. George is often portrayed as an honorable and courageous Christian warrior who was martyred for his unwavering faith. Veneration of St. George likely dates back to as early as the 4th or 5th century AD, while the stories of his dragon-slaying adventures began to gain prominence in the 11th century through a Georgian source. These legends became especially popular during the 12th and 13th centuries throughout Europe.
The association of the Ascalon sword and lance with the cult-like worship of Saint George spread across Europe, with St. George and his iconic sword becoming the patron saint of various regions, including Georgia, England, Ukraine, Moscow, Portugal, and Spain. This cult-like devotion may have emerged as a result of Crusaders who served in these areas and brought the stories of St. George back with them.
Even after a millennium, the Ascalon sword remains a popular tool in Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) fencing academy training and is celebrated during Ascalon sword festivals. Similar to Excalibur, the Ascalon sword holds a prominent place in modern media, anime, and video games, such as Guild Wars 2.
Legend of the Ascalon Sword
Throughout the 11th to the 13th centuries, various depictions and narrative renditions of Saint George’s encounter with the dragon evolved, with added details for dramatic effect.
One of these renditions, “Saint George and the Dragon,” tells the story of a menacing dragon that terrorized a village, demanding daily tribute, initially in the form of two sheep. However, when the village ran out of sheep, they were forced to offer a human as a sacrifice. On one such occasion, the village princess was being carried to the dragon’s lair as the sacrificial victim. It was at this moment that Saint George, passing by on his horse, offered to assist the local lord in saving his daughter.
Riding his horse straight into the dragon’s lair, Saint George was armed with his Ascalon sword or lance. Despite the fiery dragon’s breath, he managed to puncture the dragon’s lungs. He then used the princess’s belt loop to secure the dragon’s neck and proceeded to drag it back to the village. The townspeople were initially horrified by the sight of the dragon, but Saint George reassured them, proclaiming their safety.
What Sword Would Saint George Really Use?
Very little is known about the personal life of Saint George, beyond the accounts found in religious hagiographies, the reliability of which may vary. He is believed to have lived during the reign of Diocletian, who ruled from 284 to 305 AD. Diocletian is notable for implementing significant military reforms that helped stabilize the Roman Empire during a period of crisis.
The depiction of the Ascalon blade resembles a medieval European sword. This representation is largely influenced by the Golden Legend, a narrative that greatly popularized the story of Saint George as the dragon slayer. The Golden Legend gained prominence in medieval Europe, where contemporary weapon designs, particularly the Arming sword, served as the standard reference. Additionally, variations like the Longsword, Rapier, and curved saber are occasionally associated with the Ascalon.
In historical terms, the kind of sword Saint George would have likely used during his service in the Roman Empire would be the Spatha, a common sword of that era, or possibly a late version of the Gladius. These were typically one-handed swords used in conjunction with a shield or as secondary weapons, particularly when employed alongside pikes or spears.