crossguard

A crossguard is a transverse defensive feature located at the end of a sword’s grip, between the blade and the hilt. Its primary purpose is to protect the hand from an opponent’s blade and to help deflect or control incoming blows. Most crossguards consist of one or two projecting arms, called quillons, which extend to the left and right of the blade. Some designs are straight and simple, while others are curved or broadened to increase coverage and balance.

The term crossguard reflects its function as a guard that intersects the path of the blade. In some swords the term quillon is used for the projecting arms, and the overall arrangement may be described as cruciform when the guard resembles a cross. Variations include straight quillons, curved quillons, and integrated shapes that blend into a broader hilt or knuckle bow. In later period swords, guards evolved into more elaborate forms such as the basket hilt, which encloses the hand for greater protection.

Historically, crossguards became common during the medieval period with arming swords and evolved through the late medieval and Renaissance eras. Early guards were simple crosspieces; by the high Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, designs varied to balance protection with maneuverability. The development of basket hilts and complex hilts sometimes reduced the reliance on a separate crossguard while preserving hand protection.

In modern production, crossguards are still manufactured for functional practice swords and decorative pieces. In historical European martial arts, they remain a key element of authentic weapon reconstructions, while contemporary blades may feature varied finishes and materials that preserve their protective role without compromising balance.