The Sword of Bannockburn (#1317)

This exceptionally rare medieval Scottish sword is a remarkable example of the type carried by knights during the late 14th and early 15th centuries. A similar sword is depicted on the funerary monument believed to belong to Robert de Greenlaw (d. 1411) at Kinkell, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The original artifact is currently housed in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, having been bequeathed from a private collection in the late 1970s. This single-handed, double-edged Scottish arming sword features a distinctive design, including an upswept and flared crossguard paired with a classic wheel pommel and peen block—marking a unique variation from standard knightly sword types of the era. Often referred to as the Robert the Bruce sword, it honors the legendary Scottish king and national hero who led Scotland to victory at the Battle of Bannockburn during the Wars of Scottish Independence. This sword is a highly significant piece of medieval Scottish weaponry and a rare surviving relic of Scotland’s warrior heritage.