Editing Szczerbiec (section)

== Description ==
{{for|the sword-related terminology used in this section|Sword#Morphology}}

Szczerbiec is a {{convert|98|cm|in|abbr=on|adj=mid|-long}} [[Ceremonial weapon|ceremonial sword]] bearing rich [[Gothic art|Gothic]] ornamentation, dated to the mid-13th century.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|pp=69–70}}{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|pp=137–139}} It is classified as a type XII sword with a type {{font|I|font=Times}} [[Hilt#Pommel|pommel]] and a type 6 [[crossguard]] according to the [[Oakeshott typology]],{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=126}} although the blade may have changed its shape due to centuries of corrosion and intensive cleaning before every coronation.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|p=76}}

=== Hilt ===
[[File:Szczerbiec diagram.svg|thumb|300px|Schematic diagram of the shapes and dimensions of the principal elements of Szczerbiec (ornamentation not shown)]]

The hilt consists of a round pommel, a flat grip and an arched crossguard.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|p=70}} The grip is {{convert|10.1|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|1.2|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} thick, and from {{convert|2|to|3|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} wide. It is rectangular in cross-section and its hard edges make it difficult to handle and impractical for fighting, which is indicative of the sword's purely ceremonial usage. The pommel is {{convert|4.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} in diameter and {{convert|2.6|cm|in|abbr=on}} thick, with a chamfered outer ring that is {{convert|1.3|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} wide. The crossguard forms an arch that is {{convert|1.8|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} wide in the middle and widens up to {{convert|3.4|cm|in|abbr=on}} at both ends. It is {{convert|1|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} thick near the grip and measures {{convert|20|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} in length along its upper edge.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=111}}

The pommel and the crossguard are made of silver.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=107}} The core of the grip is a brass chest encasing the [[Tang (tools)|tang]] of the blade. It was probably made in the 19th century to replace an original organic core, which had decomposed. At the same time the tang was riveted to the top of the pommel.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=107}} The head of the rivet, which is {{convert|0.5|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} in diameter, rests atop a rectangular washer measuring {{convert|1.1|x|1.4|cm|in|abbr=on}}.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=111}}

All parts of the hilt are covered with golden plates, which are engraved with sharp or rounded [[stylus|styli]]{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=107}} and decorated with [[niello]], or black metallic inlay that contrasts against the golden background.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|p=70}} Each plate is {{convert|1|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} thick and made of about 18-[[Carat (purity)|carat]] gold.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=107}} The niello designs include inscriptions written in late [[Romanesque art|Romanesque]] [[majuscule]] (with some [[Uncial script|uncial]] additions{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=122}}), [[Christian symbolism|Christian symbols]], and floral patterns.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|p=70}} The floral ornaments are in negative, that is, golden against a black, nielloed background.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=107}}

[[File:Szczerbiec obverse retouched.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Obverse side of Szczerbiec (perspective-distorted)]]

On the [[Obverse and reverse|obverse]] side of the hilt, the pommel bears a large stylized letter '''T''' on top of a letter  '''C''' or '''G''' (the latter could be just a decorative element of the letter '''T'''{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=115}}) between the [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] letters '''Α''' and '''ω''' ([[alpha and omega]]) surmounted with little [[cross]]es.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=112}} Below the letter '''T''', there is another cross placed within a cloud or flower with twelve petals.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=112}}{{sfnp|Prinke|1983|ps=}} On the chamfered edge around this design runs a circular [[Latin]] inscription in two rings which reads: ''Rec figura talet ad amorem regum / et principum iras iudicum'' ("This sign rouses the love of kings and princes, the wrath of judges").{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=112}}{{sfnp|Rożek|1987|ps=|p=135}} The grip bears the symbols of two of the [[Four Evangelists]]: the lion of [[Mark the Evangelist|Saint Mark]] and the ox of [[Luke the Evangelist|Saint Luke]],  as well as an ''Agnus Dei'' ([[Lamb of God]]).{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=112}} The crossguard bears the following Latin inscription: ''Quicumque hec / nomina Deii secum tu/lerit nullum periculum / ei omnino nocebit'' ("Whoever will carry these names of God with him, no danger will harm him").{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=112}}{{sfnp|Rożek|1987|ps=|p=134}}

[[File:Szczerbiec reverse retouched.jpg|thumb|upright|Reverse side of Szczerbiec (perspective-distorted)]]

The reverse side of the pommel is decorated with a vine bush surrounded by a wreath of vine leaves. On the reverse of the grip, there are the eagle of [[John the Evangelist|Saint John]] and the angel of [[Matthew the Evangelist|Saint Matthew]], and another ''Agnus Dei''. The crossguard bears, above another pattern of vine leaves, an  inscription in corrupted [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] in Latin script: ''Con citomon Eeve Sedalai Ebrebel'' ("Fervent faith incite the names of God: Sedalai and Ebrehel").{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=112}}{{sfnp|Rożek|1987|ps=|p=134}} On the opposite ends of the crossguard, there are again the symbols of Saints John and Matthew.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=112}}

The circumference of the pommel is decorated with a rhombic pattern, while the upper side of the crossguard – with a similar triangular pattern.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=109}} The narrow sides of the grip used to be embellished with inscribed silver plates, which, however, were lost in the 19th century. These lost inscriptions are partly known from graphical documentation made by King [[Stanislaus II of Poland|Stanislaus Augustus's]] court painter, [[Johann Christoph Werner]], in 1764 and by Jacek Przybylski in 1792. One of the plates had already been broken by that time with only part of the inscription preserved: ''Liste est glaud... h Bolezlai Duc...'' ("This is a sword of... Duke Boleslaus...");{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|p=70}}{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=113}}{{sfnp|Rożek|1987|ps=|p=134}} the inscription on the other plate continued: ''Cum quo ei D[omi]n[us] SOS ''[''Salvator Omnipotens Salvator'']'' auxiletur ad[ver]sus partes amen'' ("With whom is the Omnipotent Lord and Savior, to help him against his enemies. Amen").{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=113}}{{sfnp|Rożek|1987|ps=|p=134}} The missing part of the first inscription is only known from an old replica of Szczerbiec which once belonged to the [[Radziwiłł family]] ''(see [[#Historical replicas|Historical replicas]] below)''. The full inscription read: ''Iste est gladius Principis et haeredis Boleslai Ducis Poloniae et Masoviae, Lanciciae'' ("This is a sword of Hereditary Prince Boleslaus, Duke of Poland, [[Masovia]], and [[Łęczyca]]"). The identity of this Duke Boleslaus is uncertain.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|p=76}}

{{clear}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Ornamentation and inscriptions on the hilt{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|pp=111–113}}
|-
!width="5%"| !!width="30%" colspan=2 | Obverse !!width="17.5%"| Narrow side !!width="30%" colspan=2 | Reverse !!width="17.5%"| Narrow side
|-
! rowspan=2 | Pommel
|  colspan=2 | [[File:Szczerbiec pommel obverse.PNG|90px|center|Inscription on the obverse of the pommel of Szczerbiec]] '''Middle circle:''' Stylized letter T (or T on top of a C) between the letters alpha and omega surmounted with crosses, above a cross within a dodecafoil rosette
| rowspan=2 | Rhombic pattern
| colspan=2  valign=top | [[File:Szczerbiec pommel reverse.PNG|95px|center|Inscription on the reverse of the pommel of Szczerbiec]] '''Middle circle:''' Vine bush
| rowspan=2 | Rhombic pattern
|-
| colspan=2 | '''Chamfered outer ring:''' Inscription:<br />''+ REC. FIGVRA. TALET. AD AMOREM. REGVM. ET. PRINCIPVM. IRAS IUDICV. M''
| colspan=2 | '''Chamfered outer ring:''' Vine leaves
|-
! rowspan=3 | Grip
| rowspan=3 | [[File:Szczerbiec grip obverse.PNG|60px|center|Ornamentation on the obverse of the grip of Szczerbiec]]
| style="height: 66px;" | '''Top:''' Winged lion of Saint Mark, inscription:<br />''MARCVS''
| rowspan=3 | Inscription:<br />''LIST E. EST. GLAUD… h.BOLEZLAI ‘DVC…''<br />(now lost and replaced with a rhombic pattern)
| rowspan=3 | [[File:Szczerbiec grip reverse.PNG|62px|center|Ornamentation on the reverse of the grip of Szczerbiec]]
| '''Top:''' Eagle of Saint John, inscription:<br />''IhOANNES''
| rowspan=3 | Inscription:<br />''CVM. QVO. EI DNS. OS. AVXIL ETVR. ADUS. PARTES. AMEN''<br />(now lost and replaced with wax filling)
|-
| style="height: 65px;" | '''Middle:''' Winged ox of Saint Luke, inscription:<br />''LVCAS''
| '''Middle:''' Angel of Saint Matthew, inscription:<br />''MMThCVS''
|-
| '''Bottom:''' Lamb of God
| '''Bottom:''' Lamb of God
|-
! rowspan=3 | Crossguard
| [[File:Szczerbiec crossguard St Mark.PNG|60px|Winged lion of Saint Mark]]
| '''Left end:''' Winged lion of Saint Mark
| rowspan=3 | Triangular pattern
| [[File:Szczerbiec crossguard St Matthew.PNG|60px|Angel of Saint Matthew]]
| '''Left end:''' Angel of Saint Matthew
| rowspan=3 | Triangular pattern
|-
| colspan=2 | [[File:Szczerbiec crossguard reverse.PNG|250px|center|Inscription on the reverse of the crossguard of Szczerbiec]] '''Middle:''' Inscription:<br />''QVICVMQVE hEC + NOMI[N]A DEII SECVM TVLERI[T] NVLLVM PERICVL[VM] CN EI OMNINO NOC[E]BIT''
| colspan=2 | [[File:Szczerbiec crossguard obverse.PNG|250px|center|Inscription on the obverse of the crossguard of Szczerbiec]] '''Middle:''' Inscription:<br />''CON. CITOMON.. EEVE SEDALAI. EBREbEL''<br />above an ornament of vine leaves
|-
| [[File:Szczerbiec crossguard St Luke.PNG|60px|Winged ox of Saint Luke]]
| '''Right end:''' Winged ox of Saint Luke
| [[File:Szczerbiec crossguard St John.PNG|60px|Eagle of Saint John]]
| '''Right end:''' Eagle of Saint John
|}

[[Use-wear analysis]] indicates that the plates on the pommel and the crossguard were made by the same artist, while the plates on the grip were added later. The latter – obverse and reverse – were probably decorated in the same workshop and using the same tools, but by two different craftsmen.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|pp=109–111}} Moreover, a side plate with a rhombic pattern was added in the 19th century to replace one of the lost inscribed side plates.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|pp=107–108}}

Preserved images of Szczerbiec from various points in time indicate that the decorative plates were several times dismounted and placed again on the hilt in variable configurations. The current composition, with the symbols of the Evangelists duplicated on each side of the hilt, matches that known from the earliest preserved depiction drafted by [[Johann Christoph Werner]] in 1794. It is possible, though, that the original placement of the golden plates was different, with the symbols of Saints John and Matthew on the obverse of the grip, so that each side of the hilt displayed the symbols of all four of the Evangelists.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|pp=75–76}}{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=113}}

=== Blade ===
The blade is {{convert|82|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, up to {{convert|5|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} wide (about 5&nbsp;cm from the crossguard) and {{convert|3|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} thick. The [[Fuller (weapon)|fuller]] is about {{convert|74|cm|in|abbr=on}} long and, on average, {{convert|2|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} wide.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=111}} [[Metallography|Metallographic]] analysis has shown that the blade was forged from unevenly [[Carburizing|carburized]] semi-hard [[bloomery]] steel. Apart from [[iron]], the material contains, by weight, 0.6 percent of [[carbon]], 0.153 percent of [[silicon]], 0.092 percent of [[phosphorus]], and other elements. Numerous [[slag]] inclusions found in the steel are typical for medieval iron smelting technology. Part of the blade was hardened by [[quenching]]. Unlike the hilt, the blade would have been fully functional as a weapon of war.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|pp=102–105}} The surface of the blade is covered with deep scratches along its length, a result of intensive cleaning from rust before every coronation, probably with sand or brick powder. Inactive spots of corrosion may be also found on the entire surface.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|pp=105–106}}

Just below the hilt, there are three perforations in the fuller of the blade. The largest is a rectangular slot that is {{convert|64|mm|in|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|8.5|mm|in|abbr=on}} wide. This opening, known in Polish as ''szczyrba'' or ''szczerba'', was originally caused by rust and, in the 19th century, polished into a regular shape.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|p=70}}{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=106}} A small heraldic shield colored with oil paint{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=140}} is fastened to the slot.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=113}}{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|p=70}} It is roughly triangular in shape, with the sides measuring from {{convert|4|to|4.5|cm|in|abbr=on}}.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=111}} The shield, bearing the [[coat of arms of Poland|White Eagle]] of Poland, was originally attached to the [[scabbard]], or sheath. The Gothic scabbard, with a golden or silver locket and chape, was probably created in 1320 and lost between 1819 and 1874. The shield is the only preserved element of the sheath. It was tilted to the left – from the onlooker's point of view – while it was fastened to the scabbard's locket, but today it is aligned with the blade. The eagle on the red field of the shield is white, with a golden crown, bands across the wings, ring on the tail, and talons.{{sfnp|Lileyko|1987|ps=|pp=70–72}} The two other perforations are round holes, {{convert|24|mm|in|abbr=on}} apart. The upper one, just below the slot, is {{convert|28|mm|in|abbr=on}} in diameter, while the other measures only {{convert|1.4|mm|in|abbr=on}}. They were probably punched in the 19th century to fasten the heraldic shield to the blade.{{sfnp|Biborski|Stępiński|Żabiński|2011|ps=|p=106}}