Claidheamh da Laimh - The Highland Twohanded Sword

The Claidheamh da Laimh or Highland Twohanded Sword was a Greatsword commonly used in the 16th century until the late 17th Century (i.e. at the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689). It was shorter than continental twohanders like the Montante or Spadone, but had similar use in battle, for bodyguards or to hold a position. The blade was broad and flat, more used for chopping and slashing than for thrusts or binding work like with the medieval longsword.

According to various sources like battle reports, it was used in forcefull swinging motions to cut down two or more enemys with one or two blows, so it was used for shock-troops against formations, to hold a position on a retreat or defending the Chieftain. In a situation, when one twohander faces another twohanded sword, it can be used after the principles of the Highland Broadsword with more binds and thrusts.

In the 16th century it was used next to the long handled battle-axe and the Bow as the main weapons of Highland armies. The scottish mercenaries serving in Ireland, known as "Redshank" or "New Scots", were also famous for the use of the Claidheamh da Laimh. In this epoch the fights were partly done in typical Gaelic armor, which was mostly a simple helmet, a Cotun (Aketon) and a long mail-shirt. The Battle of Blàr-na-Léine (Battle of the Shirts) in 1544 gives a good account how it was used between clans in a small scale battle.

No manual is known for its use, however the combination of battle reports to check the context, the basic Highland Broadsword principles, like bodymechanics, timing and distance, and the comparison with other twohanded sword traditions can give a good idea and practical approach how to use the scottish twohander. This is our approach with this weapon. It can be used also for the Clam-shell guard twohander, which was another scottish greatsword or the twohanded Irish Ringpommel Sword as it was used by the Galloglass mercenaries next to the Sparth-Axe.