Oakeshott Type XIIIa Medieval Sword of Cypriot Provenance

[Jack Loomes]

Middle of 14th century

Measurements: L: 105.5cm

Medium: iron with brass pommel

In 1365, Pierre de Lusignan – King of Cyprus and titular King of Jerusalem – captured the Egyptian port of Alexandria. However, his men refused to carry on toward Cairo and before the young Mamluk sultan al-Malik al-Ashraf Shaban and his guardian managed to come to the aid of the city, the Christians had departed.

Some of the European weapons that had been taken or left were hung in Alexandria’s arsenal as trophies and given Arabic inscriptions. This one was donated by one of Shaban’s officers, Sayf al-Din al-Ukuz al-Malik Ashraf, in 769 H (1367-1368), but was later taken to Istanbul.

Sidenotes:

Pierre de Lusignan known as Peter I of Cyprus was King of Cyprus, and Titular King of Jerusalem from his father’s abdication on 24 November 1358 until his own death in 1369. He was also Latin King of Armenia from either 1361 or 1368.

He was the second son of Hugh IV of Cyprus, the first by his second wife Alice of Ibelin. He also received the title of Titular Count of Tripoli when young, in 1346.
He was the greatest King of Cyprus on a military basis, where he had great success. Unfortunately, he was unable to complete many plans, due to internal dispute that culminated in his assassination at the hands of three of his own knights.

For more information on Oakeshott Type XIIIa swords see this extract from Records of the Medieval Sword: www.sword-site.com/thread/152/oakeshott-xiiib-records-medieval-sword

Source: www.davidmus.dk/